Elections: printing requirements and ballot design.

Existing law imposes ballot layout specifications, including specific requirements relating to the size and font of text. The bill would delete various provisions requiring certain text be printed in a particular font and make other ballot-related changes allowing more flexibility. Existing law also prescribes the format that must be used for county voter information guides. Existing law specifically requires that a notice regarding vote by mail applications be made in heavy-faced gothic type, not smaller than 12-point. The bill would delete the requirement that the notice be in gothic type. The bill would require the Secretary of State to establish a ballot design advisory committee to assist the Secretary of State in promulgating regulations that prescribe ballot design and format. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 13119 of the Elections Code proposed by SB 268 to be operative only if this bill and SB 268 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.