Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill with amendment that establishes a Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program at public post-secondary schools, and provides resources.

Highlights:

• Requires the Secretary of State to establish and conduct the Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program beginning January 1, 2020 (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Secretary of State to report the results of the program to the state legislature by January 1 of each year following the beginning of the program (Sec. 2).

• Requires all public post-secondary schools to distribute campus-wide emails during the first month of each academic semester or quarter that provide the following information (Sec. 2.):

• The date of National Voter Registration day;

• The last day to register to vote online, by mail, or in person;

• The date when a county may begin to offer early voting;

• Primary and general election dates; and

• A link to the web page for the Secretary of State’s Students Vote Project.

• Specifies that another email should be distributed one month before each statewide election with the previous information, as well as (Sec. 2):

• A link to the Secretary of State’s web page for online voter registration;

• A link to the Secretary of State’s web page for election information;

• A link to a voter registration status tool for the county of the recipient; and

• A disclaimer stating that the information provided applies to the county where the campus is located, and that election information varies by county.

• Requires that schools include the dates provided in both their printed and electronic academic calendars (Sec. 2).

• Requires that schools post reminders of voter registration deadlines, election days, and sample ballot information on social media (Sec. 2).

• Requires each campus to designate one person to act as a Civic and Voter Empowerment Coordinator, who shall do the following (Sec. 2):

• Implement the requirements of this section;

• Ensure that the campus holds a minimum of three election outreach events to increase civic learning, participation, engagement, and voter turnout;

• Develop a Civic and Voter Empowerment Action Plan that invites input from faculty and students and emphasises civic engagement and voter turnout;

• Submit the action plan to the Secretary of State by December 1, 2020.

• Requires the Secretary of State to develop a Students Vote Project to implement the requirements of Section 2, and to provide the resources necessary to do so (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that costs mandated by this act shall be reimbursed by the state (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text