WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

AB 2691

Elections: elective office: felony conviction.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis and 1 co-sponsor

AB 2691 bars anyone convicted of sexual assault, human trafficking, or related felonies from running for or being elected to state or local offices in California.

Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
#elections #electiveoffice #felonyconviction
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 2691

Summary of AB 2691 (2025-2026) – Elections: Elective Office: Felony Conviction

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: California
  • Bill No.: AB 2691
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Introduced: February 20, 2026
  • Primary author: Assembly Member Addis
  • Coauthors: Assembly Member Quirk-Silva; Senator Rubio
  • Committee/Status: Passed third reading in Assembly (April 27, 2026); ordered to Senate

1) Purpose and Intent

AB 2691 adds to existing rules about who may run for state or local elective office by expanding the list of felonies that disqualify a person from being considered as a candidate or being elected. Specifically, the bill prohibits candidacy or election for individuals convicted of felony offenses involving sexual assault or human trafficking, in addition to existing disqualifying offenses.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Amends Elections Code Section 20:
    • A person shall not be considered a candidate for, and shall not be eligible to be elected to, any state or local elective office if they have been convicted of a felony involving:
    • Accepting or giving, or offering to give, bribes
    • Embezzlement of public money
    • Extortion or theft of public money
    • Perjury
    • Any crime of sexual assault
    • Human trafficking
    • Conspiracy to commit any of the above crimes
  • Definitions (Section 20(b)):
    • “Conviction of a felony” includes felonies in California, other states, the U.S., or foreign jurisdictions, including felonies that would be felonies if committed in California, unless pardoned by the appropriate authority.
    • “Human trafficking” defined as a violation of Penal Code Section 236.1.
    • “Sexual assault” defined to include violations of Penal Code Sections 261, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, or 289 (and former 288a or 289.5).
  • Amends Section 2022 of the Elections Code:
    • Maintains the provision that a voter loses domicile in California if they move to another state with the intent to establish domicile there. The revision is non-substantive in wording (revisions noted but effect unchanged).

3) Who or What is Affected

  • Prospective candidates for all state and local elective offices in California.
  • Individuals with felony convictions for sexual assault or human trafficking (in addition to the existing offenses listed in current law) are now expressly barred from candidacy or election.
  • Voters and constituents who might endorse or support candidates with prohibited convictions are indirectly affected because such individuals would be barred from running.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative History:
    • Read first time: February 20, 2026
    • Referred to Committee on Elections (March 2026); amended and re-referred
    • Passed committee: April 15, 2026
    • Passed second and third readings in the Assembly: mid-April to late April 2026
    • Action History shows passage in the Assembly and transmission to the Senate (as of April 27, 2026)
  • Effective Date: The text provided does not specify an immediate effective date beyond standard operative dates embedded in California code; typically, if not stated, new eligibility provisions take effect upon enactment or a specified later date in the statute. (Check the enrolled bill for the exact effective date.)

5) Fiscal and Administrative Implications

  • No appropriation is requested (per Digest: Appropriation: No; Fiscal Committee: No; Local Program: No).
  • Administrative impact primarily involves qualification checks for candidates and potential adjudication of eligibility for elections.

6) Plain-Language Takeaway

AB 2691 broadens prohibitions on who may run for public office in California by adding sexual assault and human trafficking felonies to the list of crimes that disqualify a person from candidacy or election. If someone has a felony conviction for these offenses (or the other listed crimes), they cannot be considered as a candidate or be elected to state or local elective offices. The bill clarifies definitions of felony convictions and relevant terms, and makes a minor, nonsubstantive adjustment to the domicile provision.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.