Elections: statewide ballot pamphlet.

Existing law specifies information that must be included in the statewide ballot pamphlet for each state measure to be voted upon. This bill would require the Secretary of State to include in the ballot pamphlet a list of the 5 highest contributors of $50,000 or more to each primarily formed committee supporting or opposing each state measure, as well as the total amount of their contributions, as of 110 days before election day or, if a special election is called on a date before election day for that special election so as to make compliance with the 110-day timeframe infeasible, as of a later date as feasible, based on the time requirements set forth by the Secretary of State for preparation of the ballot pamphlets for that special election. The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, generally provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act's purposes upon a 23 vote of each house and compliance with specified procedural requirements. The act also provides that, notwithstanding this requirement, the Legislature may add to the content of the ballot pamphlet as specified in the act information regarding candidates or other information. This bill, which would permit or require additional information to be included in the ballot pamphlet, would therefore require a majority vote. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 9086 of the Elections Code and Section 88002 of the Government Code, proposed by AB 732, to be operative only if AB 732 and this bill are both enacted, both bills become effective on or before January 1, 2012, and this bill is enacted last.