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California Electronic Vote Submission Initiative (2016)

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California Electronic Vote Submission Initiative
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Election date
November 8, 2016
Topic
Elections and campaigns
Status
Not on the ballot
Type
State statute
Origin
Citizens


Voting on elections and campaigns
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Ballot measures
By state
By year
Not on ballot


The Electronic Vote Submission Initiative (#15-0117A1 and #15-0118A1) were proposed initiatives and were not put on the November 8, 2016, ballot in California as initiated state statutes.

The initiative was designed to lift the state's ban on electronic voting systems and establish a commission "to develop standards, software, and procedures for secure electronic submission of vote by mail ballots" and launch a pilot program for voters in the military by 2022. The initiative would require the program to be implemented statewide if the commission found that the system was safe, secure and reliable. "Election Data Security and Military Ballot Access Act" was the title proposed for this initiative by supporters.[1][2]

Text of measure

Initiative #15-0117A1

Ballot title

The official ballot title was:[3]

Vote by Mail Ballots. Electronic Submission. All-Mailed Ballot Elections. Initiative Statute.[4]

Ballot summary

The official ballot summary was:[3]

Repeals prohibitions against voting systems connecting to Internet or using wireless communications. Establishes Election Data Security Commission, composed of Secretary of State and six subject matter experts, to develop standards, software, and procedures for secure electronic submission of vote by mail ballots. Directs Commission to conduct electronic submission pilot programs for military voters by November 2022; requires statewide use if Commission certifies security of system. Exempts Commission from conflict of interest laws, as specified; requires disclosure of financial interests in companies Commission contracts with. Expands county authority to conduct all-mailed ballot elections.[4]

Full text

The full text of the measure could be found here.

Fiscal impact

Note: The fiscal impact statement for a California ballot initiative authorized for circulation is jointly prepared by the state's legislative analyst and its director of finance. The statement for this initiative:[3]

One-time state costs—likely many tens of millions of dollars and possibly exceeding $100 million—to implement a new information technology system. Ongoing state costs to maintain system—possibly millions of dollars each year. Ongoing savings to counties for administering elections—possibly in the range of tens of millions of dollars for a statewide general election.[4]

Initiative #15-0118A1

Ballot title

The official ballot title was:[3]

Vote by Mail Ballots. Electronic Submission. Initiative Statute.[4]

Ballot summary

The official ballot summary was:[3]

Repeals prohibitions against voting systems connecting to Internet or using wireless communications. Establishes Election Data Security Commission, composed of Secretary of State and six subject matter experts, to develop standards, software, and procedures for secure electronic submission of vote by mail ballots. Directs Commission to conduct electronic submission pilot programs for military voters by November 2022; requires statewide use if Commission certifies security of system. Exempts Commission from conflict of interest laws, as specified; requires disclosure of financial interests in companies Commission contracts with.[4]

Full text

The full text of the measure could be found here.

Fiscal impact

Note: The fiscal impact statement for a California ballot initiative authorized for circulation is jointly prepared by the state's legislative analyst and its director of finance. The statement for this initiative:[3]

One-time state costs—likely many tens of millions of dollars and possibly exceeding $100 million—to implement a new information technology system. Ongoing state costs to maintain system—possibly millions of dollars each year. No significant fiscal effect on local governments.[4]

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in California and California signature requirements

Initiative #15-0117A1

Initiative #15-0118A1


State profile

Demographic data for California
 CaliforniaU.S.
Total population:38,993,940316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):155,7793,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:61.8%73.6%
Black/African American:5.9%12.6%
Asian:13.7%5.1%
Native American:0.7%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.4%0.2%
Two or more:4.5%3%
Hispanic/Latino:38.4%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:81.8%86.7%
College graduation rate:31.4%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$61,818$53,889
Persons below poverty level:18.2%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in California.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in California

California voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.


More California coverage on Ballotpedia

See also

Footnotes