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Governor Newsom Signs Game-Changing Elections Bill, The Ballot DISCLOSE Act

For immediate release:

(Sacramento, CA)Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1416 – The Ballot DISCLOSE Act – a bill that will have a major positive impact on ballot measure transparency. All statewide ballot measures will now include a list of supporters and opponents on the ballot itself. Lead authors Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) and Senator Henry Stern (D-Calabasas) and sponsor the Clean Money Campaign released the following statements:

“This bill is a colossal game changer for California elections because voters will now be able to make more informed choices on ballot measures,” said Assembly Member Santiago. “Big money in politics continues to capitalize on the lack of ballot measure transparency, which directly affects the outcome of elections. As more and more ballot measures appear on general election ballots, it is imperative voters have the information they need to cast an informed vote on state and local ballot measures. The Ballot DISCLOSE Act will bring greater transparency and democracy to the ballot box on Election Day.”

“This law will vastly improve voters making an informed choice when voting, and finally root out the special interest that lurk in the shadows seeking to mislead the public,” said Senator Stern.

“Governor Newsom’s signature of the Ballot DISCLOSE Act will ensure that every Californian voter will know key supporters and opponents of ballot measures when they vote, just like every legislator when they vote and the Governor when he signs or vetoes bills. This will be true no matter what voters' life circumstances and no matter how lopsided the campaign spending,” said Trent Lange, President of the California Clean Money Campaign, sponsor of AB 1416. “Every Californian who cares about fairness in democracy owes a debt of gratitude to Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, Senator Henry Stern, and all the other bold leaders in the California Legislature who helped AB 1416 pass.”

AB 1416 will bring greater transparency to ballot measures while providing voters with relevant information on Election Day. Specifically, this bill would require a voter’s ballot to include a short list of those who support and oppose each statewide ballot measure, submitted by the proponents and opponents who submit the official ballot arguments. Each list is limited to no more than 125 characters, with rules to avoid political parties and newly created “sham organizations” from being listed. Local ballot measures will be required to have similar lists of supporters and opponents, but with Board of Supervisors allowed to opt out of local measures if they choose.

This bill will take effect on January 1, 2023.

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization and Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Los Angeles County Homelessness. He also sits on the Assembly Committees on Public Safety, Health, Higher Education and Utilities and Energy. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.