Local ballot measures: arguments.

Existing law specifies procedures applicable to the preparation, submittal, and printing of arguments for and against a county or city ballot measure that qualifies for a place on the ballot. Existing law requires the county or city elections official to fix a date, as specified, as a deadline for submission of arguments for and against a ballot measure. This bill would require the county or city elections official to extend the deadline for submission of arguments relating to a ballot measure by one calendar day if an argument in favor of or against a measure is not submitted by the deadline fixed by the official. In doing so, this bill would require the county or city elections official to immediately issue a press release requesting that arguments for or against the measure, or both, as applicable, be submitted by the extended deadline. By imposing additional duties on local elections officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.