NEW CALIFORNIA LAWS SET LOCAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE LIMITS, BAN GERRYMANDERING AND ALLOW VOTER REGISTRATION AT POLLING PLACES

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By Miriam Raftery

October 12, 2019 (Sacramento) – A trio of new election reform laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom set campaign contribution limits for local races, allow voters to register on Election Day at polling places and ban partisan gerrymandering of local districts.

The bills were supported by Common Cause, a government watchdog group dedicated to assure equal participation opportunities for everyone in our democracy. Below are details.

AB 571: Assemblymember Kevin Mullin’s bill establishes campaign contribution limits of $4700 in city and county elections. Some candidates for local office were receiving up to six-figure contributions, Common Cause reports. The new law aims to make officials more accountable to all constituents, not just those with deep pockets. 

AB 849: The Fair Maps Act by Assemblyman Rob Bonta, sets criteria for redistricting in cities and counties and requires more public engagement in the redistricting process. The new law also outlaws partisan gerrymandering at the local level. 

SB 72: Authored by Senator Thomas Umberg, this measure requires Election Day registration at all polling sites in California, so that nobody loses their right to vote because they missed a registration deadline. 

 

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