Santa Clara County backs new voting rights

Santa Clara County is moving toward a formal county resolution on voting rights as California lawmakers advance a broader rewrite of the state’s voting protections. On Aug. 25, the Board of Supervisors approved a referral directing County Counsel and the administration to return on Sept. 15 with options for a draft resolution supporting voting rights in the county and with recommendations on whether to formally support Senate Bill 1164 and Senate Bill 1360. (sccgov.iqm2.com) The county’s action ties a local campaign to Sacramento legislation that supporters call the California Voting Rights Act of 2026. (sanjosespotlight.com) The measures would repeal and replace the existing California Voting Rights Act and add state-law prohibitions on election policies or practices that result in, or are likely to result in, voter suppression, according to bill text and legislative summaries. (sccgov.iqm2.com) ### What exactly did Santa Clara County approve? The Aug. 25 referral did not adopt a final resolution. It ordered county staff to come back on Sept. 15 with options for “a draft resolution in support of protecting and promoting voting rights for the Santa Clara County community, including the Black/African Ancestry community,” according to the county meeting record. (sccgov.iqm2.com) The same referral also asked for an off-agenda report on a civic-engagement plan during and beyond National Voter Registration Day, and for options on formally supporting SB 1164 and SB 1360. That means the next county action is expected to cover both symbolic backing and practical outreach. (legiscan.com) ### Why are SB 1164 and SB 1360 central to this fight? SB 1164 is the main vehicle for what supporters describe as the California Voting Rights Act of 2026. Legislative summaries say it would repeal and replace the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 and bar political subdivisions or state agencies from enforcing election practices that produce or are likely to produce voter suppression. (sccgov.iqm2.com) The NAACP Legal Defense Fund said the two-bill package would put stronger voting-rights protections into state law, including protections for voters of color and voters who do not speak English comfortably. Existing California law, by contrast, is primarily known for addressing vote dilution in at-large elections. (sccgov.iqm2.com) ### Who is involved locally? San Jose Spotlight reported that Santa Clara County leaders are working with the NAACP of San Jose/Silicon Valley on the local push. The county referral itself does not list every outside partner, but it does specify concern for the Black/African Ancestry community and other significantly impacted communities in the county’s engagement plan. (legiscan.com) The county also has an elections advisory structure already in place. The Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Elections says in its 2026-27 work plan that it advises the Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters on election integrity, efficiency, accuracy and voter education. (naacpldf.org) ### Is this about ballot access, redistricting, or both? The local effort is framed around ballot access and broader protection against disenfranchisement. San Jose Spotlight reported that county leaders and civil-rights groups want the resolution to strengthen ballot access and guard against disenfranchisement during redistricting. State legislation behind the push reaches beyond redistricting alone. (sanjosespotlight.com) Senate analyses of SB 1164 say the bill would bring state-law protections against vote dilution, voter suppression and voter discrimination under a broader framework modeled on federal voting-rights protections that supporters say have been weakened by court rulings. (sccgov.iqm2.com) ### What happens next, and when? Sept. 15 is the next key date. County Counsel and the administration are scheduled to report back to the Board of Supervisors with options for a draft resolution, a civic-engagement plan and possible county support for SB 1164 and SB 1360. Nov. 3 is the next statewide election date on the California secretary of state’s calendar, and active registered voters will receive ballots by Oct. 5, with secure drop-off locations opening Oct. 6. (sanjosespotlight.com) Those deadlines give the county a short runway if supervisors want outreach in place ahead of the general election. (sos.ca.gov) (sccgov.iqm2.com) (sjud.senate.ca.gov)