Assemblymember Frazier Introduces Bill to Combat Election Fraud by Increasing Accountability

Sacramento, CA – In a move that would take a major step forward in addressing accountability for cases of election fraud, Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D – Discovery Bay) announced today the introduction of AB 894, which will increase penalties in cases that determine a willful misrepresentation was made on a candidate statement.

“I introduced AB 894 in an effort to make sure voters are not deceived by candidates fabricating their accomplishments and misleading the public,” said Frazier. “We saw this occur in Contra Costa County. It is not fair and I will do everything in my power to make sure the residents I represent are protected from this injustice in the future.”

AB 894 will strengthen penalties for candidates who misrepresent facts on a ballot statement. Specifically, this bill raises penalties to include forfeiture of office and reimbursement of all costs for the election.

“Misleading the voters about a candidate’s background on ballot statements has been a problem in our county in recent years,” said Joe Canciamilla, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar. “Assemblymember Frazier’s bill is a good start in helping to ensure transparency and accountability to the voters.”

This bill is currently awaiting assignment to policy committee in the California State Assembly.

Editors Note —

In speaking with Ella Strain, spokesperson for Assemblyman Jim Frazier, she confirmed that the bill was created because of many incidents of election fraud across the state amongst candidates claiming things they are not.

She noted that Jeff Belle was one that came to mind, but said it’s not an isolated incident, it just happens to be the one in his District.

Belle, who was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Education in 2014, agreed to community service as opposed to going to trial where he could have faced a $1,000 fine for filing a false campaign statement.

In the 2016 Antioch Unified School District race, Chrystal Sawyer-White claimed she was a teacher as her ballot designation, it turned she was not a credentialed teacher, but rather in the process of getting her credentials. Sawyer-White won a seat on the Board of Trustees.

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Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11^th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.