Elections: ballot contents.

Existing law sets forth various ballot printing specifications, including a requirement that each group of candidates to be voted on be preceded on the ballot by the designation of the office for which they are running, and the words "vote for one" or "vote for no more than two," or more, according to the number to be nominated or elected. This bill would require that the number of candidates to be nominated or elected be printed in boldface type or in a contrasting color that is not black or gray. By requiring local elections officials to revise the content of ballots, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Secretary of State to establish a ballot design advisory committee to make recommendations for improving ballot design and the readability of ballot instructions. The bill would require the committee to make its recommendations by January 1, 2020. 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 the statutory provisions noted above.