SF1546 Bill Summary

• Voter Registration Expansion: Allows 16-17 year olds to preregister to vote; restores voting rights to individuals convicted of felonies upon release from incarceration rather than after sentence completion; implements automatic voter registration through driver's license and social services applications.

• Election Access Improvements: Requires voting instructions and sample ballots in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali languages in designated districts; mandates multilingual election judges where needed; establishes permanent absentee voter status.

• Campaign Finance Reform: Creates Democracy Dollar coupon program providing $50 annual credits to eligible voters for qualifying candidates; repeals political contribution tax refund; expands definition of campaign expenditures.

• Election Protection: Prohibits voter intimidation, deceptive voting practices, and interference with registration; establishes civil and criminal penalties; allows attorney general and election officials to pursue damages up to $1,000 per violation.

• Foreign Influence Restrictions: Prohibits foreign-influenced corporations from making campaign contributions or expenditures; requires corporate certification of compliance with foreign ownership restrictions; effective July 1, 2023.