Los Angeles — In response to the threat Covid-19 presents to the 2020 General Election, the state legislature passed AB 860, introduced by Assemblymember Marc Berman, to counter some of the unique challenges Californians will face while voting during the pandemic.
AB 860 includes:
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A mandate that every county official mails vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters for the November 3, 2020 General Election.
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Requires every county official to adopt a system that allows voters to track their vote-by-mail ballots.
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Extends the deadline vote-by-mail ballots must be received by county officials.
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Authorizes jurisdictions to start processing ballots 29 days before Election Day.
Irene Kao, Executive Director of Courage California, the largest progressive organization in the state, issued the following statement:
“Our membership played a significant role in getting AB 860 passed through the state legislature. We at Courage California secured over 2,000 signatures in less than 24 hours of calling for a safe and fair election. We’re proud that we were able to quickly activate Californians to push our state leaders to pass AB 860. This is proof that with Courage, we can move our leaders toward creating a more equitable and representative democracy,” said Irene Kao, Executive Director of Courage California. “But Californians must stay active and continue to push our state representatives to pass SB 423, to ensure Californians have access to safe and inclusive voting.”
“The ability for all Californians — especially communities disenfranchised because of race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and location — to safely vote has never been more important. Our intersection of diverse communities are out on the frontlines, making our voices heard, and this November is our opportunity to channel the energy of the current uprising to lasting change. We must be able to safely vote for leaders who are committed to dismantling systemic racism, ending police brutality, and representing our communities of color,” said Kao. “The passing of AB 860 is an example of how California leads the nation. It is imperative that California gets this right and provides a clear model for fighting federal-led voter suppression efforts.”
SB 423 will provide safe in-person voting sites, ballot drop off locations, and require county officials to conduct voter education and outreach efforts.
Courage Califonia has and will continue to work with the Brennan Center for Justice, California Calls, California Donor Table, California Environmental Justice Alliance, California League of Conservation Voters, Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), IE United, NARAL Pro-Choice California, Power California, SEIU California, Union of Concerned Scientists to call for our state leaders to ensure we can safely elect the representatives we need to lead us out of these difficult times.
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Courage California, formerly Courage Campaign, works to unite communities organizing for progressive change, fight the forces of corruption, and hold our representatives to account in order to ensure that California’s elected officials act with courage. Our community of 1.4 million members envision California as a model of progressive, equitable, and truly representative democracy that sets the standard for our country. www.couragecalifornia.org