SB 280: Elections.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Existing law authorizes a candidate for elective office to submit a petition containing a specified number of signatures in lieu of all or part of the fee for filing nomination papers. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to make forms for securing signatures available to each candidate commencing 60 days before the first day for circulating nomination papers, except as specified, and requires candidates to file in-lieu-filing-fee petitions at least 30 days before the close of the nomination period.

This bill, for the June 2, 2026, statewide direct primary election, would require the Secretary of State to make those forms available beginning December 19, 2025. This bill would require the Secretary of State to prepare a calendar of key election dates and deadlines and requirements for the nomination of candidates by the date that the in-lieu-filing-fee petition forms are made available.

(2)Existing law requires each county elections official to provide the Secretary of State with specified information regarding the number of voters and their party preferences in the county and each supervisorial, Congressional, Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization district in the county on the 135th day before each direct primary election, with respect to all voters who are registered voters on the 154th day before the primary election. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to compile a statewide list of this information within 30 days after receiving it from each county elections official.

This bill would require the Secretary of State to determine, by December 19, 2025, whether it is feasible to include in the statewide list described above the number of voters by party preference in each congressional district with respect to all voters who are registered voters on the 154th day before the June 2, 2026, statewide direct primary election. If the Secretary of State determines it is not feasible, the bill would not require that information to be included in the information provided by the counties and the compiled statewide list. The bill would require the Secretary of State to prepare a supplemental statewide list showing that information on a date specified by the Secretary of State, but not later than the 88th day before the June 2, 2026, statewide direct primary election.

(3)Existing law authorizes a candidate for elective office to designate that certain specified words appear below the candidate’s name on the ballot, including, among others, the word “incumbent.”

This bill, for the June 2, 2026, statewide direct primary election, would prohibit a candidate for the office of Representative in Congress from choosing the word “incumbent” as a designation to appear on the ballot. The bill would make conforming changes relating to the deadline for a person to file nomination documents for an office if a current holder of the office does not file nomination documents. These provisions would become operative only if ACA 8 of the 2025–26 Regular Session is approved by the voters and another state adopts a new congressional district map that takes effect after August 1, 2025.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 57

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 21, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 97, Statutes of 2025.
2. August 21, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. August 21, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:45 p.m.
4. August 21, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 8. Page 2232.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 21, 2025Urgency clause adopted.
6. August 21, 2025In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
7. August 21, 2025Senate Rule 29.10(d) suspended. (Ayes 30. Noes 9. Page 2226.)
8. August 21, 2025Amendments by Assembly Member Gallagher tabled on motion by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry. (Ayes 56. Noes 19. Page 2691.)
9. August 21, 2025Amendments by Assembly Member Castillo tabled on motion by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry. (Ayes 56. Noes 19. Page 2690.)
10. August 21, 2025Amendments by Assembly Member Gallagher tabled on motion by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry. (Ayes 54. Noes 19. Page 2689.)
11. August 21, 2025Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. (Ayes 57. Noes 20. Page 2693.) Ordered to the Senate.
12. August 21, 2025Amendments by Assembly Member Tangipa tabled on motion by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry. (Ayes 54. Noes 19. Page 2692.)