Senator Umberg Introduces Legislation to Stop Voter Registration Confusion

Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Chair of the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments, announced today his introduction of Senate Bill 696 (SB 696), which would prohibit the name of a political party from including the terms “independent,” “decline to state,” or “no party preference” or any variation of those words.

“As representatives of California residents and voters, we have an obligation to correct any wording on a state-issued document that is designed to be an impediment to our democratic system,” said Senator Umberg. “It is clear that many individuals who truly wish to be outside a political party preference are misguided by the name of certain parties when they register. This bill is simply meant to honor their intent.”

Existing law prohibits the name of a new party from being too similar to the name of an existing party, as to avoid misleading voters. Unfortunately, this protection does not extend to independent voters who are typically registered as “No Party Preference.” When a political party’s name includes the word “independent” it creates voter confusion especially amongst those voters who wish to not register with any party, and call themselves  “independent.” For example, contrary to what the name would have you believe, the American Independent Party (AIP) is, in fact, an ultraconservative group.

Today the AIP has over half a million-registered members, more than all of California’s other minor parties combined. Part of the reason for the large amount of registered AIP members is that California’s voter registration card lists possible parties in alphabetical order. As a result, the AIP is the first choice that an individual sees and includes the word “independent” in its title. A poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times found that fewer than 4% of registered AIP members could correctly identify their own registration as a member of the AIP. The same poll noted that more than 50% of registered AIP members wanted to leave the AIP once they were read excerpts of the party’s platform.

Senate Bill 696 would prohibit the name of a party from including the word ‘independent’, ‘decline to state’, or ‘no party preference’ or any variation of those words. SB 696 also requires the Secretary of State to provide notice to any qualified party whose name includes a variation of the word “independent” that they are required to change their name. Additionally, the Secretary of State will need to notify each voter registered to that party informing them of the resulting name change.

SB 696 is currently in the California State Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting, where it is expected to be heard and voted upon in the coming weeks.

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Senator Thomas J. Umberg represents the 34th Senate District 34, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Orange, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, and Westminster. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal prosecutor, and small businessman. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.