Voting.

Existing law permits a voter who is unable to mark a ballot to receive the assistance of not more than 2 persons, selected by the voter, at a polling place. In addition, existing law imposes criminal penalties on specified activities that interfere with another person's right to vote, including defrauding a voter who cannot read the ballot by deceiving and causing him or her to vote for a candidate that he or she did not intend to vote for. This bill would provide that a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she, while providing care or direct supervision to an elder, as defined, in a state-licensed or state-subsidized facility or program, coerces or deceives the elder into voting for or against a candidate or measure contrary to the elder's intent or in the absence of any intent of the elder to cast a vote for or against that candidate or measure. This bill would also provide that a violation of that provision would be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail or a fine or by both that imprisonment and fine, as specified. This bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating an additional crime. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.