Getting the vote out

Some of the bills aimed at increasing voter turnout that are being considered by the California Legislature:

ACA 2 is a constitutional amendment that would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary election if they will be 18 when the general election is held.

AB 554 would allow high school students who are 16 or 17 years old to serve as poll workers with the aim of getting them excited about voting.

SB 439 would allow Californians to register to vote and cast ballots for two weeks before an election at satellite voting centers to be opened in schools, shopping centers, libraries and other public buildings.

SB 163 would require county elections officials to issue a vote-by-mail ballot to every registered voter in the county for statewide primary, special and general elections, no longer requiring voters to request the ballots.

AB 1026 would require the secretary of state to meet with local registrars of voters, community groups and other people to develop strategies for improving California’s voter turnout and report recommendations to the Legislature.

AB 1494 would tax campaign funds spent independently of candidates by special interest groups and use the money for programs to increase civic engagement, voter registration and turnout, among other things.

SB 365 would allow elections officials to set up secure drop boxes throughout a community where people can leave vote-by-mail ballots.

Source: Patrick McGreevy