What Is the California Voting Rights Act of 2026? A Look at SB 1164 and SB 1360
California lawmakers are considering two bills this year that would update state-level voting rights law: Senate Bill 1164 and Senate Bill 1360, jointly referred to as the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 (CVRA 2026). Both bills are authored by State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, who represents Senate District 31, covering parts of Riverside County.
As these bills move through the legislative process, IE United Education Fund is providing this explainer to help our community understand what each bill does. This is intended as factual, nonpartisan information, not an endorsement or opposition to either bill.
What Did the Original California Voting Rights Act Do?
California first passed a Voting Rights Act in 2001. That law restricts local governments from using “at-large” election methods (where officials are elected by the entire jurisdiction rather than by district) when that method reduces the ability of a protected class of voters to elect candidates of their choice or otherwise influence election outcomes. Courts can order remedies, including a shift to district-based elections, when the law is violated.
What Does SB 1164 Do?
SB 1164 would update the existing framework from the 2001 CVRA. Based on the bill’s current language, it addresses:
– Voter suppression and vote dilution: updating state-level protections against practices that reduce or weaken the voting power of a protected class
– District-based election remedies: revising how courts and local governments handle violations, including how at-large election challenges are addressed
– Enforcement: expanding the tools available to voters and the Attorney General to bring claims under the law
What Does SB 1360 Do?
SB 1360 focuses specifically on language access. It would:
– Require the Secretary of State to identify, by December 15, 2028, which counties have Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities meeting a specific threshold: either at least 5,000 voting-age citizens, or at least 5% of a county’s voting-age citizens, who share a common non-English language
– Apply a similar identification process to political subdivisions that include portions of tribal land, based on the LEP population of voting-age residents within the reservation
– Once identified, those jurisdictions would be required to provide expanded language assistance and translated election materials
Where Do SB 1164 and SB 1360 Stand Right Now?
As of this writing, both SB 1164 and SB 1360 have passed out of their originating Senate committees and the full Senate floor, and are currently under review by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Like any bill, they still need to pass the full Assembly and be signed by the Governor before becoming law, and their language can continue to change through amendments during that process.
How Can I Track SB 1164 and SB 1360 Myself?
Bill text and status update as the legislative process continues. You can track both bills directly through the California Legislature’s official site:
SB 1164, official bill text and status
SB 1360, official bill text and status
This post is provided for informational purposes by IE United Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, and does not constitute an endorsement of specific legislation.