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AB 2785

Elections: redistricting information.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Establishes a secure, standardized system for counties to submit complete precinct-level redistricting data (maps, returns) and requires electronic transmission by 2028, with confi

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · AB 2785

Summary of AB 2785 (2025-2026) — Elections: redistricting information

Purpose and intent

AB 2785 seeks to strengthen the data and information infrastructure used for redistricting in California. Building on Proposition 11 (2008), which created the Citizens Redistricting Commission and directed the Legislature to ensure a complete, accurate computerized redistricting database and public access to redistricting data, the bill would formalize additional data sharing and establish a secure process for submitting redistricting-related data from county elections officials. A core aim is to enable more precise mapping of precincts and districts while protecting confidentiality for small- turnout precincts.

Key provisions and changes

  • Data to be provided by counties (amends Elections Code §21000(a)):
    • Precinct maps for both registration and election precincts, covering:
    • Incorporated cities and their wards/city council districts
    • School districts
    • Judicial districts
    • Assembly, Senate, and Congressional districts
    • State Board of Equalization districts
    • County supervisorial districts
    • Complete, unredacted election returns for each election precinct (including voter registrations and vote totals for all ballots, by mail and in-person), as compiled under existing law.
    • A master street index file identifying street names and house-number ranges associated with precincts, to help identify the precinct for a given street address.
  • Secure electronic submission process (amends §21000(b)):
    • The Legislature or an appropriate designee, with the Secretary of State, must establish a secure electronic system for counties to submit the required data.
    • Submissions must use:
    • GIS format for precinct maps
    • CSV or TSV formats for election returns
    • Open, machine-readable formats for other data
    • Security and integrity safeguards are required.
  • Transmission capability deadline (amends §21000(c)):
    • By January 1, 2028, any election management system in the state must be capable of transmitting complete, unredacted election returns for each precinct following statewide elections via the established secure process.
  • Confidentiality and disclosure limits (amends §21000(d) and related provisions):
    • Complete, unredacted precinct-level election returns must be maintained confidentially and protected from public disclosure (including under the Public Records Act and the Legislative Open Records Act).
    • No public disclosure of precinct-level results for contests in precincts with fewer than 10 voters. For such small precincts, information disclosed may include the total votes cast and, if applicable, a breakdown by political party preference.
  • Legislative findings and constitutional considerations:
    • The bill includes findings acknowledging that restricting access to certain data is necessary to protect voter secrecy while still enabling redistricting work.
  • Fiscal and mandate considerations:
    • The bill imposes a state-mandated local program by requiring counties to perform additional duties.
    • If the California Commission on State Mandates determines costs are mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts would follow existing mandate reimbursement procedures.

Who is affected

  • County elections officials in every California county:
    • Required to gather, compile, and transmit the specified data
    • Must participate in the secure electronic submission process
  • Legislative and executive offices/designees (including the Secretary of State):
    • Responsible for establishing and maintaining the secure data submission system
    • Coordinate with counties to ensure data format and security standards
  • Public and researchers:
    • Public access to redistricting data remains limited for small precincts (confidentiality for unredacted data)
    • Some aggregated data may continue to be publicly accessible, consistent with confidentiality rules

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: March 12, 2026
  • Current status: Read second time and amended (April 16, 2026); amendments approved and re-referred to Appropriations with consent calendar consideration noted
  • Key deadline: January 1, 2028
    • Election management systems must be capable of transmitting complete, unredacted precinct-level election returns via the new secure process
  • Data formats:
    • Precinct maps: GIS format
    • Election returns: CSV or TSV
    • Other data: open, machine-readable formats

AB 2785 advances data infrastructure for redistricting while balancing transparency with confidentiality. It expands the data counties must provide, creates a secure submission pathway, and sets a clear timeline to enable statewide electronic transmission of precinct-level results, all with protections for small-precinct vote data.

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

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