CA SB398

Creates a new crime for knowingly or willfully paying or offering to pay money or other valuable consideration to induce someone to vote or register to vote, or where payment is contingent on whether the person voted or their voter registration status

Penalties include a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for 16 months or 2-3 years in state prison or up to one year in county jail, or both fine and imprisonment

"Other valuable consideration" includes lottery entries or similar prize-drawing contests

Exemptions apply for transportation to/from voting locations, compensation from governmental entities, and employers granting time off to vote

Approved by the Governor on October 2, 2025