Gov. Jerry Brown has signed SB 505, authored by Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), which will ensure that California’s Voter Bill of Rights and other election materials are provided to voters in plain, accessible and easily understandable language. The new law goes into effect on Jan. 1.

“I thank Governor Brown for signing SB 505. Citizens deserve clear communication during elections because it is vital that voters understand their eligibility to vote and how they can receive help with polling place problems,” Mendoza said. “Improving election materials by using plain language techniques is common sense. Studies have shown that voters are confounded by the legalese in California’s voter pamphlet, on the outside of the absentee ballot envelope, and on election materials. SB 505 will strengthen our democracy and protect voting rights by requiring that election materials be provided in clear, easily understandable, plain language.”

The Voter Bill of Rights is provided during every election cycle in the ballot pamphlet and posted at every polling place. It seeks to ensure that voters understand their eligibility to vote, how they can receive help with voting or other polling place problems, their ability to be provided election materials in another language, and their rights to be free from intimidation. It also provides a toll-free number for reporting denial of voting rights and other potential violations of election law.

The Voter Bill of Rights is provided in 10 languages including an American sign language video, available on the secretary of state’s website. Translation of the Voter Bill of Rights and other election materials has been challenging because standards require direct translation of each word, and the statutory wording, Mendoza said. When source documents are written in plain language, translation is easier and more effective because the message that needs to be communicated is clearer. The secretary of state has limited authority to ensure that election materials are prepared and provided in plain language.

Specifically, SB 505 provides the secretary of state with the authority to revise election material wording and implement plain language that is easy to understand.