Assemblyman Kevin Mullin said he plans to introduce legislation next month to overhaul California’s recount laws, with the goal of preventing a repeat of the increasingly acrimonious recount underway in the state controller’s race. Mullin, D-San Mateo, said his office is researching “a variety of options” to put forward after lawmakers return from their summer recessAug. 4. Proposals could include having the state pay for recounts, standardizing counties’ recount policies, or having a law that triggers a recount in very close races, Mullin said in a statement.
“California is in uncharted territory with the Controller’s race recount,” Mullin said. “It’s imperative to our system of governance that the election process is fair and transparent for all voters and candidates.”
In election results certified last week, Board of Equalization member Betty Yee claimed second place by 481 votes over Assemblyman John A. Pérez in the June 3 controller’s primary. Pérez has requested hand recounts in all or parts of 15 counties. Fifth on the list is Mullin’s home county, San Mateo, where Pérez seeks hand recounts in 247 of 350 precincts.
Full Article: Assemblyman plans to introduce California recount overhaul measure – Capitol Alert – The Sacramento Bee.