November 3, 2020, statewide general election.

Existing law authorizes counties, on or after specified dates, to conduct any election as an all-mailed ballot election if, among other conditions, the county elections official provides for ballot drop-off locations and vote centers meeting minimum requirements. Vote centers are required to be open from the 10th day before the election until election day, as specified. This bill would authorize a county for the November 3, 2020, statewide general election to not have its vote centers open before the 3rd day prior to the election. In counties without all-mailed ballot procedures, existing law requires the elections official to divide the jurisdiction into precincts meeting certain requirements and to designate a polling place for each precinct. This bill would provide an alternative procedure for the November 3, 2020, statewide general election authorizing the elections official to establish consolidated precinct boards, located within the same physical polling place, serving the voters residing in multiple adjacent precincts, as provided. For the November 3, 2020, statewide general election, the bill would also (1) require elections officials to conduct a voter education and outreach campaign, (2) urge counties to provide drive-through ballot drop-off or voting locations, (3) authorize elections officials to establish vote centers, polling places, or consolidated polling places in locations whose primary purpose is the sale and dispensation of alcoholic beverages, (4) require the Secretary of State to establish a process to consider requests from counties to adjust or partially waive the minimally required number, location, or operational duration, of vote centers, consolidated polling places, or ballot drop-off locations, (5) require the Secretary of State to conduct a statewide voter education and outreach campaign regarding new procedures in place for the election, and (6) require the Secretary of State to establish a strike team to assist counties as needed to acquire suitable locations for vote centers, polling places, and consolidated polling places as well as other assets necessary for the safe and successful conduct of the election. By imposing new requirements on counties, the 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 the statutory provisions noted above. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.