CA AB459

Requires the Secretary of State to develop an online system allowing voters to electronically sign state and local initiative, referendum, and recall petitions on the Secretary of State's website

Electronic signatures would be combined with traditional paper signatures to determine whether a petition meets the minimum threshold to qualify for the ballot

The system must display the petition text, arguments for and against (or recall reasons and responses), an ongoing tally of electronic signatures, and provide proponents with lists of individuals who signed electronically

Electronic signatures submitted through this system would not require the circulator affidavit or declaration currently required for paper petitions

Local elections officials must verify electronic signatures by requesting signature data from the Secretary of State, with the state required to reimburse local agencies for any mandated costs