Elections: nonpartisan candidates' party preference.

Existing constitutional and statutory law prohibits including the party preference of a candidate for nonpartisan office, defined as any judicial, school, county, or municipal office, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on the ballot for that office. This bill would require the ballot for the above offices, except for judicial offices, to contain the candidate's party preference or, if applicable, lack of party preference. The bill would define "party preference" as the candidate's party preference, if any, designated on the candidate's current voter registration. The bill would require the candidate to submit information regarding their party preference to the appropriate elections official prior to an election, as specified. This bill would make its provisions operative only if ACA __ of the 2021-22 Regular Session is approved by the voters. By imposing additional duties on elections officials, 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.