June 15, 2021

The Honorable Toni Atkins The Honorable Anthony Rendon President Pro Tempore, California State Senate Speaker, California State Assembly State Capitol, Room 205 State Capitol, Room 219 Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: AB 152 (Committee on Budget)/SB 152 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review): Recall Elections As amended 6/11/21 and 6/14/21 – CONCERNS

Dear Senator Atkins and Speaker Rendon:

On behalf of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), Urban Counties of California (UCC), and the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), we write to express our strong concerns regarding recently amended provisions of SB 152 and AB 152 related to the administration of the gubernatorial recall election later this year. We have no position on the Legislature’s policy decision to amend statutes regarding review of potential costs of the recall by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee but have significant concerns regarding provisions requiring counties to conduct the election as a general election instead of a special election. This change, coupled with the acceleration of the recall calendar that is achieved by waiving the 30-day review, poses significant logistical challenges for county elections officials.

We respectfully request that counties be authorized to conduct the recall election as a special election under the same rules that were so successfully employed in conducting last year’s presidential election. Without that authorization, costs will be significantly higher than estimated and the likelihood of procedural errors and missed deadlines increases.

Logistics Conducting the recall election as a general election instead of a special election will require securing a considerable number of polling places and pollworkers, both of which promise to be in shorter supply during the summer months when facilities are booked for events and potential pollworkers are on vacation. That means it will take counties longer to locate the polling places and train workers they need to effectively conduct a general election. Combined with other challenges associated with an earlier timeframe – including need to secure ballot paper and envelopes and print ballots – counties seek similar provisions to the November 2020 presidential election that allowed counties to consolidate precincts. We are informed that election printers are unable to provide ballot materials in time to meet the deadlines for an election any earlier than September 14.

Costs We sincerely appreciate the Legislature’s commitment to funding the costs of the recall election. To that end, it is important that we note that the cost estimates provided earlier this month to the Department of Finance were estimated based on running a special election. Costs associated with administering a general election will be markedly higher, particularly in our larger counties. (We understand that the California Association of Clerks and Elections Officials are polling their members to seek the increased amounts to report to Finance and your staff.)

Counties appreciate your consideration of our concerns as you work to refine the provisions in AB 152 and SB 152. As you know, it has been a difficult year for local elections officials, but counties’ collective goal, like yours, is to ensure a free and fair election that prioritizes public health and safety in an efficient and effective manner. We are available to respond to any additional questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

Geoff Neill Jean Kinney Hurst Legislative Representative Legislative Advocate California State Association of Counties Urban Counties of California [email protected] [email protected]

Sarah Dukett Legislative Advocate Rural County Representatives of California [email protected] cc: Members and Consultants, Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Members and Consultants, Assembly Elections Committee Edson Perez, Office of the Senate President pro Tem Stacey Reardon, Office of the Speaker Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California Jacque Roberts, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom Erric Garris, Office of Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber Keely Martin Bosler, Director of the Department of Finance Amy Jarvis, Principal Budget Manager, Department of Finance