CA AB884

By December 15, 2025, and every subsequent year following a presidential election, the Secretary of State must determine the number of voting-age residents in each county and precinct lacking sufficient English skills to vote without assistance and publish a list of qualifying languages.

Beginning January 1, 2028, the Secretary of State and county elections officials must provide voting registration, materials, ballots, and instructions in languages of identified language minority groups meeting specified thresholds (10,000+ residents, 5%+ of voting-age population, 3%+ in certain precincts, or American Indian reservations).

Precinct board members must receive training on handling translated ballots and providing language assistance beginning January 1, 2028, with signs at voting locations indicating available languages.

County elections officials must provide Spanish translations of candidate statements through qualified translators, adding nonprofit agency-referred speakers with legal document translation experience as eligible providers.

The bill imposes state-mandated local program requirements on county elections officials; reimbursement for costs shall follow established statutory procedures if the Commission on State Mandates determines costs are mandated by the state.