This November, every Californian will have the option to vote by mail. Assembly Bill 860, authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D- Menlo Park), was signed into law by Governor Newsom on Thursday evening, just hours after being approved by the Legislature. AB 860 received bi-partisan support as legislators united to work through issues and concerns raised by counties and other constituents.
For the November 3, 2020 statewide general election, AB 860 makes the following adjustments:
- Every active California voter will be sent a vote by mail ballot and may cast a ballot using vote by mail.
- Voters will have the ability to track their vote by mail ballot as it moves through the mail and processing systems.
- Counties may use either their own ballot tracking system, or the tracking system provided by the Secretary of State.
- Counties may begin processing vote by mail ballots on the 29th day before the election.
- The deadline for county election officials to receive ballots is extended to the 17th day after election day.
- Costs mandated by the State, as determined by the Commission on State Mandates, will be reimbursed.
Meanwhile, legislators are continuing to work together on another bill focused on the November 2020 general election. Senate Bill 423, authored by Senator Tom Umberg (D- Santa Ana), would ensure voters have access to in-person voting opportunities and can choose how to exercise the right to vote in November 2020, while providing flexibility to counties in recognition of the challenges the coronavirus pandemic poses to election administration.