AB 194

This bill provides that in an action relating to a violation of state election laws,

venue is proper in any county within the area covered by any office on the ballot for

the election that is affected by the conduct alleged to be in violation of the state

election laws. Under current law, for violations of state election laws, a defendant

who is a resident of this state is generally tried in the circuit court for the county

where the defendant resides, except that a defendant who is a resident of the state

may move the court to change the place of trial to the county where the offense was

committed.

Under current law, a voter who believes that an election official has acted

contrary to law with regard to the administration of elections may file a written

sworn complaint with the Elections Commission requesting that the official be

required to conform his or her conduct to the law. No individual who is authorized

to file a complaint, other than a district attorney or the attorney general, may

commence an action or proceeding to test the validity of any decision, action, or

failure to act on the part of any election official without first filing a complaint. Under

this bill, any person may commence an action or proceeding to test the validity of any

decision, action, or failure to act on the part of any election official without first filing

a complaint.