SB 511

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) Under existing law, the registration of a voter is permanent for all purposes during their life, unless and until the affidavit of registration is canceled for specified causes by the Secretary of State or the county elections official. Existing law requires the county elections official to cancel the registration of a voter for causes that include, among others, legally established mental incompetency. Under the Trial Jury Selection and Management Act, all persons are eligible and qualified to be prospective trial jurors, unless specified circumstances exist, that include, among others, the person is the subject of conservatorship. The act authorizes the jury commissioner to require a person to complete a questionnaire related to juror identification, qualification, and ability to serve as a prospective juror. This bill would require the jury commissioner, every 6 months, to share with the county elections official for the same county the information that a potential juror provides about their qualification to be a juror and would further require a county elections official to use that information to cancel the registration of a person who is ineligible to vote. By expanding the duties of county elections officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the information shared pursuant to these provisions to retain all confidentiality from public disclosure provided under any other law. (2) 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.