citation: ELEC § 9030

text:
(a) Each section of the petition shall be filed with the elections official of the county or city and county for which it was circulated, but all sections circulated in any county or city and county shall be filed at the same time. Once filed, no petition section shall be amended except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(b) Within eight days after the filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the elections official shall determine the total number of signatures affixed to the petition and shall transmit this information to the Secretary of State. If the total number of signatures filed with all elections officials is less than 100 percent of the number of qualified voters required to find the petition sufficient, the Secretary of State shall so notify the proponents and the elections officials, and no further action shall be taken with regard to the petition.

(c) If the number of signatures filed with all elections officials is 100 percent or more of the number of qualified voters needed to declare the petition sufficient, the Secretary of State shall immediately so notify the elections officials.

(d) Within 30 days after this notification, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the elections official shall determine the number of qualified voters who have signed the petition. If more than 500 names have been signed on sections of the petition filed with an elections official, the elections official shall use a random sampling technique for verification of signatures, as determined by the Secretary of State. The random sample of signatures to be verified shall be drawn in such a manner that every signature filed with the elections official shall be given an equal opportunity to be included in the sample. The random sampling shall include an examination of at least 500 or 3 percent of the signatures, whichever is greater. In determining from the records of registration what number of qualified voters have signed the petition, the elections official may use any facsimiles of voters’ signatures provided that the method of preparing and displaying the facsimiles complies with law. A signature shall not be invalidated because of a variation of the signature caused by the substitution of initials for the first or middle name, or both, of the person signing the petition.

(e) The elections official, upon the completion of the examination, shall immediately attach to the petition, except the signatures thereto appended, a properly dated certificate, showing the result of the examination, and shall immediately transmit the petition and the certificate to the Secretary of State. A copy of this certificate shall be filed in the elections official’s office.

(f) If the certificates received from all elections officials by the Secretary of State establish that the number of valid signatures does not equal 95 percent of the number of qualified voters needed to find the petition sufficient, the petition shall be deemed to have failed to qualify, and the Secretary of State shall immediately so notify the proponents and the elections officials.

(g) If the certificates received from all elections officials by the Secretary of State total more than 110 percent of the number of qualified voters needed to find the petition sufficient, the Secretary of State shall certify that the measure is qualified for the ballot as provided in Section 9033.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 562, Sec. 6.1. (AB 1829) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 3. Filing Petitions

path: 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS > 1. State Elections > 3. Filing Petitions


kind: section

code: ELEC

citation: ELEC § 9031

text:
(a) If the statistical sampling shows that the number of valid signatures is within 95 to 110 percent of the number of signatures of qualified voters needed to declare the petition sufficient, the Secretary of State shall order the examination and verification of the signatures filed, and shall so notify the elections officials. A signature shall not be invalidated because of a variation of the signature caused by the substitution of initials for the first or middle name, or both, of the person signing the petition.

(b) Within 60 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after receipt of the order, the elections official or registrar of voters shall determine from the records of registration what number of qualified voters have signed the petition, and if necessary the board of supervisors shall allow the elections official or registrar additional assistance for the purpose of examining the petition and provide for their compensation. In determining from the records of registration what number of qualified voters have signed the petition, the elections official or registrar of voters may use any file or list of registered voters maintained by their office, or the facsimiles of voters’ signatures, provided that the method of preparing and displaying the facsimiles complies with law.

(c) (1) During the examination and verification of the signatures filed, the elections official or registrar of voters shall submit one or more reports to the Secretary of State showing the number of signatures of qualified voters that have been verified as of that date. The Secretary of State shall determine the number of reports required to be submitted and the manner of their submission.

(2) The Secretary of State shall maintain a list indicating the number of verified signatures of qualified voters who have signed the petition based on the most recent reports submitted pursuant to paragraph (1). If the Secretary of State determines, prior to each county’s completing the examination of each signature filed, that based on the list the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters needed to declare the petition sufficient, the Secretary of State shall immediately notify the elections official or registrar of voters of every county or city and county in the state of this fact. Immediately after receipt of this notification, the elections official or registrar of voters may suspend signature verification until receipt of a certificate pursuant to Section 9033 or until otherwise instructed by the Secretary of State.

(d) The elections official or registrar, upon the completion of the examination or notification pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), shall immediately attach to the petition, except the signatures thereto appended, an amended certificate properly dated, showing the result of the examination and shall immediately transmit the petition, together with the amended certificate, to the Secretary of State. A copy of the amended certificate shall be filed in the elections official’s office.

(e) (1) If the amended certificates establish the petition’s sufficiency, the Secretary of State shall certify that the measure is qualified for the ballot as provided in Section 9033.

(2) If the amended certificates received from all elections officials by the Secretary of State establish that the petition has still been found insufficient, the Secretary of State shall immediately so notify the proponents and the elections officials.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 870, Sec. 1. (SB 386) Effective January 1, 2024.)

division: 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS

chapter: 1. State Elections

article: 3. Filing Petitions


citation: ELEC § 9032

text: The right to file the petition shall be reserved to its proponents, and any section thereof presented for filing by any person or persons other than the proponents of a measure or by persons duly authorized in writing by one or more of the proponents shall be disregarded by the elections official.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

article: 3. Filing Petitions


citation: ELEC § 9033

text:
(a) When the Secretary of State has received from one or more elections officials or registrars a petition, certified to have been signed by the requisite number of qualified voters, the Secretary of State shall forthwith notify the proponents and immediately transmit to the elections official or registrar of voters of every county or city and county in the state a notice directing that signature verification be terminated.

(b) (1) In the case of an initiative measure, the Secretary of State shall identify the date of the next statewide general election as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 9016, or the next special statewide election, that will occur not less than 131 days after the date the Secretary of State receives a petition certified to have been signed by the requisite number of qualified voters.

(2) On the 131st day prior to the date of the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall do all of the following:

(A) Issue a certificate of qualification certifying that the initiative measure, as of that date, is qualified for the ballot at the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1).

(B) Notify the proponents of the initiative measure and the elections official of each county that the measure, as of that date, is qualified for the ballot at the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1).

(C) Include the initiative measure in a list of all statewide initiative measures that are eligible to be placed on the ballot at the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1) and publish the list on the Secretary of State’s internet website.

(3) Upon the issuance of a certificate of qualification pursuant to paragraph (2), an initiative measure shall be deemed qualified for the ballot for purposes of subdivision (c) of Section 8 of Article II of the California Constitution.

(c) (1) In the case of a referendum measure, the Secretary of State shall identify the date of the next statewide general election as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 9016, or the next special statewide election, that will occur not less than 31 days after the date the Secretary of State receives a petition certified to have been signed by the requisite number of qualified voters.

(2) On the 131st day prior to the date of the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1), or upon receipt of a petition certified to have been signed by the requisite number of qualified voters if fewer than 131 days remain until the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall do all of the following:

(A) Issue a certificate of qualification certifying that the referendum measure, as of that date, is qualified for the ballot at the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1).

(B) Notify the proponents of the referendum measure and the elections official of each county that the measure, as of that date, is qualified for the ballot at the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1).

(C) Include the referendum measure in a list of all statewide referendum measures that are eligible to be placed on the ballot at the election identified pursuant to paragraph (1) and publish the list on the Secretary of State’s internet website.

(3) Upon the issuance of a certificate of qualification pursuant to paragraph (1), a referendum measure shall be deemed qualified for the ballot for purposes of subdivision (c) of Section 9 of Article II of the California Constitution.

(4) If a referendum measure has been issued a certificate of qualification as of the effective date of the act adding this paragraph but has not yet appeared on the ballot, the Secretary of State shall void that certificate of qualification, and shall issue a new certificate of qualification pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision. The proponents of any such referendum measure shall be permitted to withdraw that measure pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 9604 at any time between the effective date of the act adding this paragraph and the date on which the Secretary of State issues a new certificate of qualification in accordance with subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of this subdivision.

(d) In the case of a referendum measure, upon the Secretary of State’s transmission of notification to the proponents and elections officials under subdivision (c) of Section 9030 that the number of signatures filed with all elections officials is 100 percent or more of the number of qualified voters needed to declare the petition sufficient, the statute that is the subject of the referendum measure shall cease to have effect unless and until one of the following occurs:

(1) The Secretary of State or a court of competent jurisdiction concludes that the petition was not signed by the requisite number of qualified voters.

(2) The proponents of the referendum measure withdraw the measure under Section 9604.

(3) The voters vote to keep the statute that is the subject of the referendum at the statewide election in which the referendum measure appears on the ballot.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 162, Sec. 4. (AB 421) Effective September 8, 2023.)

article: 3. Filing Petitions


citation: ELEC § 9034

text:
(a) The proponents of a proposed initiative measure shall submit a certification, signed under penalty of perjury, to the Secretary of State immediately upon the collection of 25 percent of the number of signatures needed to qualify the initiative measure for the ballot.

(b) Upon the receipt of the certification required by subdivision (a), the Secretary of State shall transmit copies of the initiative measure, together with the circulating title and summary as prepared by the Attorney General pursuant to Section 9004, to the Senate and the Assembly. Each house shall assign the initiative measure to its appropriate committees. The appropriate committees shall hold joint public hearings on the subject of the measure not later than 131 days before the date of the election at which the measure is to be voted upon.

(c) This section shall not be construed as authority for the Legislature to alter the initiative measure or prevent it from appearing on the ballot.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 697, Sec. 12. (SB 1253) Effective January 1, 2015.)

article: 3. Filing Petitions


citation: ELEC § 9035

text: An initiative measure may be proposed by presenting to the Secretary of State a petition that sets forth the text of the proposed statute or amendment to the Constitution and is certified to have been signed by registered voters equal in number to 5 percent in the case of a statute, and 8 percent in the case of an amendment to the Constitution, of the voters for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election preceding the issuance of the circulating title and summary for the initiative measure by the Attorney General.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 373, Sec. 30. (AB 753) Effective January 1, 2010.)

article: 3. Filing Petitions


citation: ELEC § 9040

text:
(a) Every constitutional amendment, bond measure, or other legislative measure submitted to the people by the Legislature shall appear on the ballot of the first statewide election occurring at least 131 days after the adoption of the proposal by the Legislature.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Legislature may specify, in the text of a measure that proposes an amendment or revision of the Constitution, that the constitutional amendment or revision submitted to the people shall appear on the ballot at a statewide election other than the election specified in subdivision (a), if the election specified in the measure would occur at least 131 days after adoption of the measure by the Legislature.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 449, Sec. 1. (SB 863) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 4. Measures Proposed by the Legislature

path: 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS > 1. State Elections > 4. Measures Proposed by the Legislature


citation: ELEC § 9041

text:
Whenever the Legislature submits any measure to the voters of the state, the author of the measure and no more than two persons appointed by the author may draft an argument for the adoption of the measure, or the author of the measure may appoint no more than three persons to draft the argument. In no case shall more than three persons write the argument. This argument shall not exceed 500 words in length.

If the author of the measure desires separate arguments to be written in its favor by each person appointed, separate arguments may be written, but the combined length of the arguments shall not exceed 500 words.

article: 4. Measures Proposed by the Legislature


citation: ELEC § 9042

text:
If a measure submitted to the voters by the Legislature was not adopted unanimously, one Member of the Senate who voted against it shall be appointed by the President pro Tempore of the Senate and one Member of the Assembly who voted against it shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, at the same time as appointments to draft an argument in its favor are made, to write an argument against the measure. An argument shall not exceed 500 words.

If those members appointed to write an argument against the measure choose, each may write a separate argument opposing it, but the combined length of the two arguments shall not exceed 500 words.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 22, Sec. 58. Effective January 1, 2006.)

article: 4. Measures Proposed by the Legislature


citation: ELEC § 9043

text: Arguments prepared by legislators and their appointees shall be submitted to the Secretary of State no later than a date to be designated by the Secretary of State. The arguments may not be amended or changed after submission.

article: 4. Measures Proposed by the Legislature


citation: ELEC § 9044

text: If an argument for or an argument against a measure submitted to the voters by the Legislature has not been filed by a Member of the Legislature, any voter may request the Secretary of State’s permission to prepare and file an argument for either side, on which no argument has been prepared by a Member of the Legislature. The Secretary of State shall grant permission unless two or more voters request permission to submit arguments on the same side of a measure, in which event the Secretary of State shall designate one of the voters to write the argument. Any argument prepared pursuant to this section shall be submitted to the Secretary of State by a date sufficient to meet ballot printing deadlines.

article: 4. Measures Proposed by the Legislature


citation: ELEC § 9050

text:
(a) After the Secretary of State determines that a measure will appear on the ballot at the next statewide election, the Secretary of State shall promptly transmit a copy of the measure to the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall provide and return to the Secretary of State a ballot title and summary, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 303.5, and the condensed ballot title and summary prepared pursuant to Section 303 for each measure submitted to the voters of the whole state by a date sufficient to meet the state voter information guide public display deadlines.

(b) (1) For each statewide initiative measure, or measure proposed by the Legislature, within one week after receiving the lists of supporters and opponents of a measure, the Secretary of State shall provide to county elections officials the ballot label, consisting of the condensed title and summary prepared by the Attorney General followed by the list of supporters and opponents, pursuant to Section 303.1.

(2) For each statewide referendum measure, the Secretary of State shall provide to county elections officials the ballot label, consisting of the condensed title and summary prepared by the Attorney General. Commencing January 1, 2025, the condensed title and summary shall be followed by a listing of the names of supporters and opponents in the ballot arguments printed in the state voter information guide as described in subdivision (c) of Section 9051.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 80, Sec. 39. (SB 1525) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 5. Ballot Titles

path: 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS > 1. State Elections > 5. Ballot Titles


citation: ELEC § 9051

text:
(a) (1) The ballot title and summary may differ from the legislative, circulating, or other title and summary of the measure and shall not exceed 100 words, not including the fiscal impact statement.

(2) The ballot title and summary shall include a summary of the Legislative Analyst’s estimate of the net state and local government fiscal impact prepared pursuant to Section 9087 of this code and Section 88003 of the Government Code.

(b) (1) The condensed ballot title and summary for a statewide initiative measure, or measure proposed by the Legislature, shall not contain more than 75 words and shall be a condensed version of the ballot title and summary including the financial impact summary prepared pursuant to Section 9087 of this code and Section 88003 of the Government Code.

(2) The condensed title and summary for a statewide referendum measure shall not contain more than 75 words, including the ballot title that shall be in the form of a question as specified in Section 303.1.

(c) (1) The ballot label for a statewide initiative measure, or measure proposed by the Legislature, shall include the condensed ballot title and summary described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), followed by the following:

(A) After the text “Supporters:”, a listing of nonprofit organizations, businesses, or individuals taken from the signers or the text of the argument in favor of the ballot measure printed in the state voter information guide. The list of supporters shall not exceed 125 characters in length. Each supporter shall be separated by a semicolon. A nonprofit organization, business, or individual shall not be listed unless they support the ballot measure.

(B) After the text “Opponents:”, a listing of nonprofit organizations, businesses, or individuals taken from the signers or the text of the argument against the ballot measure printed in the state voter information guide. The list of opponents shall not exceed 125 characters in length. Each opponent shall be separated by a semicolon. A nonprofit organization, business, or individual shall not be listed unless they oppose the ballot measure.

(C) A supporter or opponent shall not be listed pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) unless it is one of the following:

(i) A nonprofit organization that was not originally created as a committee described in Section 82013 of the Government Code, that has been in existence for at least four years, and that, during the four-year period prior to the time that the organization is listed pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B), either has received contributions from more than 500 donors or has had at least one full-time employee.

(ii) A business that has been in existence for at least four years and that has had at least one full-time employee during the four-year period prior to the time that the organization is listed pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B).

(iii) A current or former elected official, who may be listed with the official’s title (e.g., “State Senator Mary Smith,” “Assembly Member Carlos Garcia,” or “former Eureka City Council Member Amy Lee”). These titles may be shortened (e.g. “Senator” or “Sen.” for “State Senator” or “Asm.” for “Assembly Member”).

(iv) An individual who is not a current or former elected official may be listed only with the individual’s first and last name and an honorific (e.g., “Dr.,” “M.D.,” “Ph.D.,” or “Esquire”), with no other title or designation, unless it is a title representing a nonprofit organization or business that meets the requirements of clause (i) or (ii) and that is eligible to be listed under subparagraph (A) if the individual supports the ballot measure or under subparagraph (B) if the individual opposes the ballot measure.

(D) Spaces, commas, semicolons, and any other characters count towards the 125-character limit in subparagraphs (A) and (B).

(E) A supporter or opponent shall not be listed pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) if the supporter or opponent is a political party or is representing a political party.

(F) The name of a nonprofit organization or business included in the list of supporters and opponents as required by this subdivision may be shortened by the proponents or opponents who submit it using acronyms, abbreviations, or by leaving out words in the entity’s name, as long as doing so would not confuse voters with another well-known organization or business that did not take the same position on the ballot measure (e.g., “Hot Air Balloon Flyers of Montana Education Fund” may be shortened to “Hot Air Balloons Montana”).

(G) Supporters and opponents listed on the ballot label pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be added as text after the condensed ballot title and summary and shall be separated by semicolons. Supporters and opponents need not be displayed on separate horizontal lines on the ballot. If no list of supporters is provided by the proponents or there are none that meet the requirements of this section, then “Supporters:” shall be followed by “None submitted.” If no list of opponents is provided by the opponents or there are none that meet the requirements of this section, then “Opponents:” shall be followed by “None submitted.”

(H) If the ballot emphasizes the text “Supporters:” or “Opponents:” by use of boldface font, underlining, or any other method that differentiates that text from the list of supporters or opponents that follow, the text “Supporters:” or “Opponents:” may be displayed with only the initial letter capitalized. If that text is not emphasized, then each letter of that text shall be capitalized.

(I) If including the list of Supporters and Opponents in the ballot labels as required by this section would necessitate the printing of an extra ballot card compared to the ballot labels not including them, the type size of the part of all of the ballot labels starting with “Supporters:” may be reduced by the minimal amount needed to stop them from necessitating an extra ballot card, as long as the type size is no smaller than 8-point and as long as the type size is reduced by the same amount for all ballot measures.

(2) (A) The proponents of a statewide initiative measure or measure proposed by the Legislature, or, commencing January 1, 2025, the supporters of the statute subject to a statewide referendum, shall provide the list of supporters described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) to the Secretary of State when submitting the arguments supporting the ballot measure.

(i) For every supporter listed that is a nonprofit organization, a business, or an individual whose title includes a nonprofit organization or business, the supporters shall include a signed statement by a representative of the nonprofit organization or business, under penalty of perjury, that includes its name and business address and that attests (I) that the nonprofit organization or business supports the measure, (II) that the nonprofit organization or business has been in existence for at least four years, (III) that the nonprofit organization or business has had at least one full-time employee for the last four years, or, if it is a nonprofit organization, that it has had at least 500 donors in the last four years, and (IV) that it was not originally created as a committee described in Section 82013 of the Government Code.

(ii) For every supporter listed that is an individual, the proponents shall include a signed statement by the individual that includes the individual’s name and address and attests that the individual supports the measure.

(B) The opponents of a statewide initiative measure or measure proposed by the Legislature, or, commencing January 1, 2025, the opponents of the statute subject to a statewide referendum, shall provide the list of opponents described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) to the Secretary of State when submitting the arguments opposing the ballot measure.

(i) For every opponent listed that is a nonprofit organization, a business, or an individual whose title includes a nonprofit organization or business, the opponents shall include a signed statement by a representative of the nonprofit organization or business, under penalty of perjury, that includes its name and business address and that attests (I) that the nonprofit organization or business opposes the measure, (II) that the nonprofit organization or business has been in existence for at least four years, (III) that the nonprofit organization or business has had at least one full-time employee for the last four years, or, if it is a nonprofit organization, that it has had at least 500 donors in the last four years, and (IV) that it was not originally created as a committee described in Section 82013 of the Government Code.

(ii) For every opponent listed that is an individual, the opponents shall include a signed statement by the individual that includes the individual’s name and address and attests that the individual opposes the measure.

(C) In order to enable the Secretary of State to determine whether the nonprofit organizations and businesses listed in the supporters or opponents have been in existence for at least four years, the proponents and opponents shall submit with the list of supporters and opponents described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) a certified copy of the articles of incorporation, articles of organization, or similar document for each nonprofit organization or business on the list that verifies that the nonprofit organization or business has been in existence for at least four years.

(D) The Secretary of State shall confirm that a submission listing supporters or opponents includes the documentation required by subparagraphs (A) through (C) and otherwise meets the requirements of this section. The Secretary of State shall ask the proponents or opponents to resubmit a list if the requirements are not met. The Secretary of State may establish deadlines by when proponents or opponents must resubmit a list and any other documents required by the Secretary of State to meet the deadline in subdivision (b) of Section 9050.

(d) (1) Commencing January 1, 2025, the ballot label for a statewide referendum measure shall include the condensed title and summary described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), followed by a listing of the names of supporters and opponents in the ballot arguments printed in the state voter information guide as described in subdivision (c).

(2) For purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), “Supporters” shall be listed on the ballot label as “Supporters of the law” for statewide referendum measures.

(3) For purposes of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), “Opponents” shall be listed on the ballot label as “Opponents of the law” for statewide referendum measures.

(e) In providing the ballot title and summary, the Attorney General shall give a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the measure in such language that the ballot title and summary shall neither be an argument, nor be likely to create prejudice, for or against the proposed measure.

(f) The Attorney General shall invite and consider public comment in preparing each ballot title and summary.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 80, Sec. 40. (SB 1525) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 5. Ballot Titles


citation: ELEC § 9053

text: Each measure shall be designated on the ballot by the ballot label certified by the Secretary of State.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 751, Sec. 6. (AB 1416) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 5. Ballot Titles


citation: ELEC § 9054

text:
(a) Whenever a city, county, or city and county is required by Section 203 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) or Section 4(f)(4) (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10303(f)(4)) of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 to provide a translation of ballot materials in a language other than English, the Secretary of State shall provide a translation of the ballot title and summary prepared pursuant to Sections 9050 and 9051 and of the ballot label prepared pursuant to Section 13247 in that language to the city, county, or city and county for each state measure submitted to the voters in a statewide election not later than 68 days before that election.

(b) When preparing a translation in a language other than English pursuant to subdivision (a), the Secretary of State shall consult with an advisory body consisting of language experts and nonpartisan organizations that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals that speak that language.

(c) All translations prepared pursuant to this section shall be made available for public examination in the same time and manner as the state voter information guide is made available for public examination in accordance with Section 88006 of the Government Code and Section 9092 of this code.

(d) The local elections official shall use that translation of the ballot label on the state voter information guide and the official ballot and may not select or contract with another person to provide translations of the same text.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 18. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 5. Ballot Titles


citation: ELEC § 9060

text: In case either the argument for or the argument against any measure placed on the ballot is not prepared and filed, the Secretary of State shall, by a general press release, request voters to submit arguments.

path: 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS > 1. State Elections > 6. Arguments Concerning Measures Submitted to Voters


citation: ELEC § 9061

text: The press release shall be mailed at least 120 days prior to the date of the election at which a measure is to be voted upon.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 345, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)

article: 6. Arguments Concerning Measures Submitted to Voters


citation: ELEC § 9062

text:
The press release shall consist of an announcement containing:

(a) A summary of the essential nature or purpose of the measure for or against which no argument has been prepared or filed.

(b) A statement that the affirmative or negative arguments, or both, have not been filed.

(c) An invitation to any voter or group of voters to submit and file with the Secretary of State, within the time limit, arguments for or against the measure as to which affirmative or negative arguments have not been filed.


citation: ELEC § 9063

text: The summary of a measure given in the press release shall be the official circulating title and summary that has been prepared by the Attorney General. The Legislative Counsel Bureau shall prepare the summary on all other measures.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 373, Sec. 37. (AB 753) Effective January 1, 2010.)


citation: ELEC § 9064

text: Any voter or group of voters may, at any time within the time limit, prepare and file with the Secretary of State an argument for or against any measure as to which arguments have not been prepared or filed. This argument shall not exceed 500 words in length.


citation: ELEC § 9065

text:
A ballot argument shall not be accepted under this article unless accompanied by all of the following:

(a) The name, business or home address, and telephone number of each person submitting the argument.

(b) If the argument is submitted on behalf of an organization, the name, business address, and telephone number of the organization and of at least two of its principal officers.

(c) The name, business or home address, and telephone number of a contact person for each individual or organization submitting the argument.

(d) If the argument is signed by anyone other than the proponent or legislative author, the name and official title of the person or persons authorized by the proponent to sign the argument.

(e) The signed statement required by Section 9600.

(f) No person signing an argument for or against a measure or a rebuttal to an argument for or against a measure may identify himself or herself in reference to that signature as a candidate for any office.


citation: ELEC § 9067

text:
(a) If more than one argument for, or more than one argument against, a measure is filed within the time prescribed, the Secretary of State shall select one of the arguments for printing in the state voter information guide. In selecting the argument the Secretary of State shall give preference and priority in the order named to the arguments of the following:

(1) In the case of a measure submitted by the Legislature, Members of the Legislature.

(2) In the case of an initiative or referendum measure, the proponent of the measure.

(3) Bona fide associations of citizens.

(4) Individual voters.

(b) In order to enable the Secretary of State to determine whether it qualifies as a bona fide association of citizens, an organization or association submitting an argument for or against a measure shall submit with its argument a copy of one of the following:

(1) Its articles of incorporation, articles of association, partnership documents, bylaws, or similar documents.

(2) Letterhead containing the name of the organization and its principal officers.

(3) If the organization or association is a primarily formed committee established to support or oppose the measure, its statement of organization filed pursuant to Section 84101 of the Government Code.

(c) In selecting an argument from among bona fide associations of citizens, the Secretary of State shall not consider the type of documentation submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) or the form of the association.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 92, Sec. 61. (SB 1289) Effective January 1, 2019.)


citation: ELEC § 9068

text:
(a) No more than three signatures shall appear with an argument printed in the state voter information guide. In case an argument is signed by more than three persons the signatures of the first three shall be printed.

(b) The Secretary of State shall provide, upon request, the name of, and a telephone number for, each signer of a ballot argument printed in the state voter information guide.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 20. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: ELEC § 9069

text:
When the Secretary of State has received the arguments that will be printed in the state voter information guide, the Secretary of State, within five days of receipt of the arguments, shall send copies of the arguments in favor of the proposition to the authors of the arguments against and copies of the arguments against to the authors of the arguments in favor. The authors may prepare and submit rebuttal arguments not exceeding 250 words, or may authorize in writing another person or persons to prepare, submit, or sign the rebuttal argument. The rebuttal arguments shall be filed with the Secretary of State no later than a date to be designated by the Secretary of State.

Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments. Each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument that it seeks to rebut.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 21. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: ELEC § 9080

text: The provisions of Sections 9084 to 9093, inclusive, are a restatement of, and shall be construed in conformity with, Sections 88001 to 88007, inclusive, of the Government Code.

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide

path: 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS > 1. State Elections > 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9081

text: There shall be a state voter information guide, that the Secretary of State shall prepare.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 23. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9082

text:
The Secretary of State shall cause to be printed as many state voter information guides as needed to comply with this code.

The state voter information guides shall be printed in the Office of State Printing unless the Director of General Services determines that the printing of the guides in the Office of State Printing cannot be done adequately, competently, or satisfactorily, in which case the Secretary of State, subject to the approval of the Director of General Services, shall contract with a private printing concern for the printing of all or a part of the guides.

Copy for preparation of the state voter information guides shall be furnished to the Office of State Printing at least 40 days before the date for required delivery to the elections officials as provided in Section 9094.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 24. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


text: The Secretary of State shall cause to be produced an audio recorded version of the state voter information guide. This audio recorded version shall be made available in quantities to be determined by the Secretary of State and shall contain an impartial summary, arguments for and against, rebuttal arguments, and other information concerning each measure that the Secretary of State determines will make the audio recorded version of the state voter information guide easier to understand or more useful to the average voter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 25. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


text:
(a) The Secretary of State shall make available the complete state voter information guide over the Internet. The online version of the state voter information guide shall contain all of the following:

(1) For each candidate listed in the guide, a means to access campaign contribution disclosure reports for the candidate that are available online.

(2) For each state ballot measure listed in the guide, a means to access the consolidated information specified in subdivision (b).

(b) The Secretary of State shall create an Internet Web site, or use other available technology, to consolidate information about each state ballot measure in a manner that is easy for voters to access and understand. The information shall include all of the following:

(1) A summary of the ballot measure’s content.

(2) The total amount of reported contributions made in support of and opposition to the ballot measure, calculated and updated as follows:

(A) (i) The total amount of contributions in support of the ballot measure shall be calculated by adding together the total amounts of contributions made in support of the ballot measure and reported in semiannual statements required by Section 84200 of the Government Code, preelection statements required by Section 84200.5 of the Government Code, campaign statements required by Section 84202.3 of the Government Code, and late contribution reports required by Section 84203 of the Government Code that are reported within 16 days of the election at which the measure will appear on the ballot.

(ii) The total amount of contributions in opposition to the ballot measure shall be calculated by adding together the total amounts of contributions made in opposition to the ballot measure and reported in semiannual statements required by Section 84200 of the Government Code, preelection statements required by Section 84200.5 of the Government Code, campaign statements required by Section 84202.3 of the Government Code, and late contribution reports required by Section 84203 of the Government Code that are reported within 16 days of the election at which the measure will appear on the ballot.

(iii) For purposes of determining the total amount of reported contributions pursuant to this subparagraph, the Secretary of State shall, to the extent practicable with respect to committees primarily formed to support or oppose a ballot measure, do both of the following:

(I) Ensure that transfers of funds between primarily formed committees are not counted twice.

(II) Treat a contribution made to a primarily formed committee that supports or opposes more than one state ballot measure as if the total amount of that contribution was made for each state ballot measure that the committee supports or opposes.

(B) The total amount of reported contributions calculated under this paragraph for each state ballot measure shall be updated not later than five business days after receipt of a semiannual statement, campaign statement, or preelection statement and not later than two business days after receipt of a late contribution report within 16 days of the election at which the measure will appear on the ballot.

(C) The total amount of reported contributions calculated under this paragraph for each state ballot measure shall be accompanied by an explanation that the contribution totals may be overstated due to the inclusion of contributions made to committees supporting or opposing more than one state ballot measure, as required by subclause (II) of clause (iii) of subparagraph (A).

(3) A current list of the top 10 contributors supporting and opposing the ballot measure, if compiled by the Fair Political Practices Commission pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 84223 of the Government Code.

(4) (A) A list of each committee primarily formed to support or oppose the ballot measure, as described in Section 82047.5 of the Government Code, and a means to access information about the sources of contributions reported for each committee.

(B) Information about the sources of contributions shall be updated as new information becomes available to the public pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974 (Title 9 (commencing with Section 81000) of the Government Code).

(C) If a committee identified in subparagraph (A) receives one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more in contributions for an election, the Secretary of State shall provide a means to access online information about the committee’s top 10 contributors reported to the Fair Political Practices Commission pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 84223 of the Government Code.

(D) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 84223 of the Government Code, the Fair Political Practices Commission shall automatically provide any list of top 10 contributors created pursuant to Section 84223 of the Government Code, and any subsequent updates to that list, to the Secretary of State for purposes of compliance with this section.

(5) Any other information deemed relevant by the Secretary of State.

(c) Information made available over the Internet pursuant to this section shall meet or exceed the most current, ratified standards under Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794d), as amended, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 adopted by the World Wide Web Consortium for accessibility. The Secretary of State may also implement recommendations of the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee made pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 2053.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 26. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9083

text:
If the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation of a justice of the Supreme Court or a court of appeal, the Secretary of State shall include in the state voter information guide a written explanation of the electoral procedure for justices of the Supreme Court and the courts of appeal. The explanation shall state the following:

“Under the California Constitution, justices of the Supreme Court and the courts of appeal are subject to confirmation by the voters. The public votes “yes” or “no” on whether to retain each justice.

“These judicial offices are nonpartisan.

“Before a person can become an appellate justice, the Governor must submit the candidate’s name to the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission, which is comprised of public members and lawyers. The commission conducts a thorough review of the candidate’s background and qualifications, with community input, and then forwards its evaluation of the candidate to the Governor.

“The Governor then reviews the commission’s evaluation and officially nominates the candidate, whose qualifications are subject to public comment before examination and review by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. That commission consists of the Chief Justice of California, the Attorney General of California, and a senior Presiding Justice of the Courts of Appeal. The Commission on Judicial Appointments must then confirm or reject the nomination. Only if confirmed does the nominee become a justice.

“Following confirmation, the justice is sworn into office and is subject to voter approval at the next gubernatorial election, and thereafter at the conclusion of each term. The term prescribed by the California Constitution for justices of the Supreme Court and courts of appeal is 12 years. Justices are confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments only until the next gubernatorial election, at which time they run for retention of the remainder of the term, if any, of their predecessor, which will be either four or eight years.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 27. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


text:
(a) If a candidate for nomination or election to a partisan office will appear on the ballot, the Secretary of State shall include in the state voter information guide a written explanation of the election procedure for such offices. The explanation shall read substantially similar to the following: PARTY-NOMINATED/PARTISAN OFFICES

Under the California Constitution, political parties may formally nominate candidates for party-nominated/partisan offices at the primary election. A candidate so nominated will then represent that party as its official candidate for the office in question at the ensuing general election and the ballot will reflect an official designation to that effect. The top votegetter for each party at the primary election is entitled to participate in the general election. Parties also elect officers of official party committees at a partisan primary.

No voter may vote in the primary election of any political party other than the party he or she has disclosed a preference for upon registering to vote. However, a political party may authorize a person who has declined to disclose a party preference to vote in that party’s primary election. (b) If any candidate for nomination or election to a voter-nominated office will appear on the ballot, the Secretary of State shall include in the state voter information guide a written explanation of the election procedure for such offices. The explanation shall read substantially similar to the following: VOTER-NOMINATED OFFICES

Under the California Constitution, political parties are not entitled to formally nominate candidates for voter-nominated offices at the primary election. A candidate nominated for a voter-nominated office at the primary election is the nominee of the people and not the official nominee of any party at the following general election. A candidate for nomination or election to a voter-nominated office shall have his or her party preference, or lack of party preference, reflected on the primary and general election ballot, but the party preference designation is selected solely by the candidate and is shown for the information of the voters only. It does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the candidate by the party designated, or affiliation between the party and candidate, and no candidate nominated by the qualified voters for any voter-nominated office shall be deemed to be the officially nominated candidate of any political party. The parties may list the candidates for voter-nominated offices who have received the official endorsement of the party in the county voter information guide.

All voters may vote for any candidate for a voter-nominated office, provided they meet the other qualifications required to vote for that office. The top two votegetters at the primary election advance to the general election for the voter-nominated office, even if both candidates have specified the same party preference designation. A party is not entitled to have a candidate with its party preference designation participate in the general election unless such candidate is one of the two highest votegetters at the primary election. (c) If any candidate for nomination or election to a nonpartisan office, other than judicial office, shall appear on the ballot, the Secretary of State shall include in the state voter information guide a written explanation of the election procedure for such offices. The explanation shall read substantially similar to the following: NONPARTISAN OFFICES

Under the California Constitution, political parties are not entitled to nominate candidates for nonpartisan offices at the primary election, and a candidate nominated for a nonpartisan office at the primary election is not the official nominee of any party for the office in question at the ensuing general election. A candidate for nomination or election to a nonpartisan office may NOT designate his or her party preference, or lack of party preference, on the primary and general election ballot. The top two votegetters at the primary election advance to the general election for the nonpartisan office. (d) Posters or other printed materials containing the notices specified in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, shall be included in the precinct supplies pursuant to Section 14105.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 28. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9084

text:
The state voter information guide shall contain all of the following:

(a) A complete copy of each state measure.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), before each state measure, a conspicuous notice that identifies the location on the Secretary of State’s internet website of the specific constitutional or statutory provision that the state measure would repeal or revise.

(2) The text of a measure relating to debts and liabilities, including a bond measure, shall be printed in the state voter information guide as required by Section 1 of Article XVI of the California Constitution.

(c) A copy of the arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure.

(d) A copy of the analysis of each state measure.

(e) Tables of contents, indexes, art work, graphics, and other materials that the Secretary of State determines will make the state voter information guide easier to understand or more useful for the average voter.

(f) A notice, conspicuously printed on the cover of the state voter information guide, indicating that additional copies of the state voter information guide will be mailed by the county elections official upon request.

(g) A written explanation of the judicial retention procedure as required by Section 9083.

(h) The Voter Bill of Rights pursuant to Section 2300.

(i) If the ballot contains an election for the office of United States Senator, information on candidates for United States Senator. A candidate for United States Senator may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement shall not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.

(j) If the ballot contains a question on the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court, information on justices of the Supreme Court who are subject to confirmation or retention.

(k) If the ballot contains an election for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, a notice that refers voters to the Secretary of State’s internet website for information about candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.

(l) A written explanation of the appropriate election procedures for party-nominated, voter-nominated, and nonpartisan offices as required by Section 9083.5.

(m) A written explanation of the top 10 contributor lists required by Section 84223 of the Government Code, including a description of the internet websites where those lists are available to the public.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 29, Sec. 76. (SB 82) Effective June 27, 2019.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9085

text:
(a) The state voter information guide shall also contain a section, located near the front of the guide, that provides a concise summary of the general meaning and effect of “yes” and “no” votes on each state measure.

(b) The summary statements required by this section shall be prepared by the Legislative Analyst. These statements are not intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure. The Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the contents of these statements. The statements shall be available for public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 9092.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 30. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9086

text:
The state voter information guide shall contain as to each state measure to be voted upon, the following, in the order set forth in this section:

(a) (1) Upon the top portion of the first page, and not exceeding one-third of the page, shall appear:

(A) Identification of the measure by number and title.

(B) The official summary prepared by the Attorney General.

(i) For a statewide referendum measure, the official summary prepared by the Attorney General shall precede all of the following in the order set forth in this clause:

(I) A blank horizontal line.

(II) After the text “TOP FUNDERS OF PETITION TO OVERTURN THE LAW:” a listing of the three persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures of $50,000 or more to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official. A person who is required to be listed after the official summary pursuant to this clause is a “top funder.”

(III) If a person that is a primarily formed ballot measure committee within the meaning of Section 82047.5 of the Government Code or a general purpose committee within the meaning of Section 82027.5 of the Government Code is one of the persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official, the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee shall not be listed as a top funder pursuant to subclause (II), and, instead, the highest contributors to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee within the prior 90 days shall be listed as top funders pursuant to subclause (II) if their contributions to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee, combined with all other contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum, qualify the person or persons as top funders.

(ii) The name of a top funder may be shortened at the discretion of the Secretary of State by using acronyms, abbreviations, or by leaving out words in the entity’s name, as long as doing so would not confuse or mislead voters about the identity of a top funder.

(iii) Each top funder shall be printed in a font size that is the same as a majority of the text on the page and separated by a semicolon.

(iv) The Secretary of State shall determine the list of top funders no later than the date a referendum qualifies for the ballot.

(C) The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in both the State Senate and Assembly, if the measure was passed by the Legislature.

(2) The space in the title and summary that is used for an explanatory table prepared pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 9087 and Section 88003 of the Government Code shall not be included when measuring the amount of space the information described in paragraph (1) has taken for purposes of determining compliance with the restriction prohibiting the information described in paragraph (1) from exceeding one-third of the page.

(b) Beginning at the top of the right page shall appear the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst if the analysis fits on a single page. If it does not fit on a single page, the analysis shall begin on the lower portion of the first left page and shall continue on subsequent pages until it is completed.

(c) Immediately below the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst shall appear a printed statement that refers voters to the Secretary of State’s internet website for a list of committees primarily formed to support or oppose a ballot measure, and information on how to access the committee’s top 10 contributors.

(d) Arguments for and against the measure shall be placed on the next left and right pages, respectively, following the final page of the analysis of the Legislative Analyst. The rebuttals shall be placed immediately below the arguments.

(e) If an argument against the measure has not been submitted, the argument for the measure shall appear on the right page facing the analysis.

(f) Before each state measure, a conspicuous notice identifying the location on the Secretary of State’s internet website of the complete text of the state measure. The Secretary of State’s internet website shall contain the provisions of the proposed measure and the existing laws repealed or revised by the measure. The provisions of the proposed measure differing from the existing laws affected shall be distinguished in print, so as to facilitate comparison. There shall be printed immediately below each state measure, except for a measure relating to debts and liabilities under Section 1 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, including a bond measure, in no less than 10-point bold type, a legend substantially as follows: “If you desire a copy of the full text of the state measure, please call the Secretary of State at (insert toll-free telephone number) and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.”

(g) The following statement shall be printed at the bottom of each page where arguments appear: “Arguments printed on this page are the opinions of the authors, and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 162, Sec. 7. (AB 421) Effective September 8, 2023.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9087

text:
(a) The Legislative Analyst shall prepare an impartial analysis of the measure describing the measure and including a fiscal analysis of the measure showing the amount of any increase or decrease in revenue or cost to state or local government. If it is estimated that a measure would result in increased cost to the state, an analysis of the measure’s estimated impact on the state shall be provided, including an estimate of the percentage of the General Fund that would be expended due to the measure, using visual aids when appropriate. An estimate of increased cost to the state or local governments shall be set out in boldface print in the state voter information guide.

(b) The analysis shall be written in clear and concise terms, so as to be easily understood by the average voter, and shall avoid the use of technical terms wherever possible. The analysis may contain background information, including the effect of the measure on existing law and the effect of enacted legislation which will become effective if the measure is adopted, and shall generally set forth in an impartial manner the information the average voter needs to adequately understand the measure. To the extent practicable, the Legislative Analyst shall use a uniform method in each analysis to describe the estimated increase or decrease in revenue or cost of a measure, so that the average voter may draw comparisons among the fiscal impacts of measures. The condensed statement of the fiscal impact summary for the measure prepared by the Attorney General to appear on the ballot shall contain the uniform estimate of increase or decrease in revenue or cost of the measure prepared pursuant to this subdivision.

(c) The Legislative Analyst may contract with a professional writer, educational specialist, or another person for assistance in writing an analysis that fulfills the requirements of this section, including the requirement that the analysis be written so that it will be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst may also request the assistance of a state department, agency, or official in preparing his or her analysis.

(d) Before submitting the analysis to the Secretary of State, the Legislative Analyst shall submit the analysis to a committee of five persons, appointed by the Legislative Analyst, for the purpose of reviewing the analysis to confirm its clarity and easy comprehension to the average voter. The committee shall be drawn from the public at large, and one member shall be a specialist in education, one member shall be bilingual, and one member shall be a professional writer. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. Within five days of the submission of the analysis to the committee, the committee shall make recommendations to the Legislative Analyst as it deems appropriate to guarantee that the analysis can be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst shall consider the committee’s recommendations, and he or she shall incorporate in the analysis those changes recommended by the committee that he or she deems to be appropriate. The Legislative Analyst is solely responsible for determining the content of the analysis required by this section.

(e) (1) The title and summary of any measure that appears on the ballot shall be amended to contain a summary of the Legislative Analyst’s estimate of the net state and local government fiscal impact.

(2) For state bond measures that are submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, the summary of the Legislative Analyst’s estimate described in paragraph (1) shall include an explanatory table of the information in the summary.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 32. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9088

text:
(a) At each statewide election at which state bond measures will be submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, the state voter information guide for that election shall include a discussion, prepared by the Legislative Analyst, of the state’s current bonded indebtedness situation.

(b) This discussion shall include information as to the dollar amount of the state’s current authorized and outstanding bonded indebtedness, the approximate percentage of the state’s General Fund revenues that are required to service this indebtedness, and the expected impact of the issuance of the bonds to be approved at the election on the items specified in this subdivision. In cases where a bond measure allocates funds for programs, the discussion shall also include, to the extent practicable, the proportionate share of funds for each major program funded by the measure.

(c) The discussion required by this section shall appear on a separate page in the state voter information guide immediately following the rebuttal to the argument against the last ballot measure included in the state voter information guide.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 33. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


text: For any statewide election that is held less than one year before the federal decennial census, the state voter information guide shall contain information that promotes awareness of, and participation in, the federal decennial census.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 652, Sec. 3. (AB 2592) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9089

text: Measures shall be printed in the state voter information guide, so far as possible, in the same order, manner and form in which they are designated upon the ballot.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 34. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9090

text:
The state voter information guide shall be printed according to the following specifications:

(a) The guide shall be printed in clear readable type, no less than 10-point, except that the text of any measure may be set forth in eight-point type.

(b) The guide shall be of a size and printed on a quality and weight of paper which, in the judgment of the Secretary of State, best serves the voters.

(c) The guide shall contain a certificate of correctness by the Secretary of State.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 35. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9091

text: The Legislative Counsel shall prepare and proofread the texts of all measures and the provisions which are repealed or revised.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9092

text: Not less than 20 days before he or she submits the copy for the state voter information guide to the State Printer, the Secretary of State shall make the copy available for public examination. Any elector may seek a writ of mandate requiring a copy to be amended or deleted from the state voter information guide. A peremptory writ of mandate shall issue only upon clear and convincing proof that the copy in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of this code or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 88000) of Title 9 of the Government Code, and that issuance of the writ will not substantially interfere with the printing and distribution of the state voter information guide as required by law. Venue for a proceeding under this section shall be exclusively in Sacramento County. The Secretary of State shall be named as the respondent and the State Printer and the person or official who authored the copy in question shall be named as real parties in interest. If the proceeding is initiated by the Secretary of State, the State Printer shall be named as the respondent.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 36. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9093

text: Notwithstanding Section 81012 of the Government Code, the Legislature may without restriction amend this article to add to the state voter information guide information regarding candidates or any other information.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 37. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9094

text:
(a) The Secretary of State shall mail state voter information guides to voters before the election at which measures contained in the state voter information guide are to be voted on unless a voter has registered fewer than 29 days before the election. The mailing shall commence not less than 40 days before the election and shall be completed no later than 21 days before the election for those voters who registered on or before the 60th day before the election, and shall be completed no later than 10 days before the election for those voters who registered after the 60th day before the election and before the 28th day before the election. The Secretary of State shall mail one copy of the state voter information guide to each registered voter at the postal address stated on the voter’s affidavit of registration, or the Secretary of State may mail only one state voter information guide to two or more registered voters having the same postal address.

(b) The county elections official shall mail a state voter information guide to any person requesting a state voter information guide. Three copies, to be supplied by the Secretary of State, shall be kept at every polling place, while an election is in progress, so that they may be freely consulted by the voters.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 269, Sec. 3. (AB 3258) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


text:
(a) The Secretary of State shall establish processes to enable a voter to do both of the following:

(1) Opt out of receiving by mail the state voter information guide prepared pursuant to Section 9081.

(2) When the state voter information guide is available, receive either the state voter information guide in an electronic format or an electronic notification making the guide available by means of online access. The electronic version of the state voter information guide shall include an active hyperlink for each cited Uniform Resource Locator.

(b) The processes described in subdivision (a) do not apply where two or more registered voters have the same postal address unless each voter who shares the same postal address has chosen to discontinue receiving the state voter information guide by mail.

(c) The Secretary of State shall also establish a procedure to permit a voter to begin receiving the state voter information guide by mail again after the voter has discontinued receiving it pursuant to subdivision (a).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 656, Sec. 4. (AB 606) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9095

text: Any costs incurred by a county for mailing the state voter information guides pursuant to the provisions of subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 9094 shall be reimbursed to the county by the Secretary of State.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 40. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9096

text:
(a) As soon as copies of the state voter information guide and copies of the full text of all measures described in subdivision (f) of Section 9086 are available, the Secretary of State shall immediately mail the following number of copies to the listed persons and places:

(1) One copy to each county elections official or registrar of voters.

(2) One copy to each city elections official.

(3) One copy to each Member of the Legislature.

(4) One copy to the proponents of each ballot measure.

(b) The Secretary of State shall also mail:

(1) One copy to each public library and branch of each public library.

(2) One copy to each public high school or other public school teaching at least the 11th and 12th grades, and one copy to each public postsecondary educational institution.

(c) No later than one business day after receipt of a request from a voter, the Secretary of State shall mail the full text of a state measure described in subdivision (f) of Section 9086 to the voter.

(d) Upon request, the Secretary of State shall furnish additional copies of the state voter information guide to any of the persons or institutions listed in subdivisions (a) and (b).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 800, Sec. 1. (SB 1493) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 7. State Voter Information Guide


citation: ELEC § 9100

text: In addition to any other method provided by law, ordinances may be enacted by any county pursuant to this article.

chapter: 2. County Elections

article: 1. Initiative

path: 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS > 2. County Elections > 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9101

text:
Any proposed ordinance may be submitted to the board of supervisors by filing an initiative petition with the county elections official, signed by not less than the number of voters specified in this article.

Each petition section shall comply with Sections 100 and 9020 and contain a full and correct copy of the notice of intention and accompanying statement including the full text of the proposed ordinance.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9102

text: Any proposal to enact, amend, or otherwise revise a county charter by initiative petition may be submitted to the board of supervisors and shall be subject to this article. However, nothing in this article shall be construed to allow a board of supervisors to enact, amend, or otherwise revise a county charter without submitting the proposal to the voters.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9103

text:
(a) Before circulating any initiative petition in a county, or any petition relating to the annexation of territory by a county, the consolidation of counties, or the dissolution of a county, its proponents shall file with the county elections official a notice of intention to do so. The notice shall include the names and business or residence addresses of at least one but not more than five proponents of the petition, and shall be accompanied by the written text of the initiative and a request that a ballot title and summary be prepared.

(b) Any person filing a notice of intent with the county elections official shall pay a fee to be established by the board of supervisors not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) to be refunded to the filer if, within one year of the date of filing the notice of intent, the county elections official certifies the sufficiency of the petition.

article: 1. Initiative


text:
From the time materials pertaining to an initiative petition are filed pursuant to Section 9103 until the day after the county elections official determines that the initiative petition does not contain the minimum number of signatures required, the day after the election at which the initiative measure is put before the voters, or the day after the proposed ordinance is adopted by the board of supervisors after being submitted to the board of supervisors pursuant to Section 9101, as applicable, the county elections official shall do both of the following:

(a) Keep on file at his or her office the notice of intention, written text of the initiative, and request for a ballot title and summary that the proponents of the initiative measure filed with the county elections official pursuant to Section 9103.

(b) Furnish copies of the materials he or she is required to keep on file pursuant to subdivision (a) to any person upon request. The county elections official may charge a fee to a person obtaining copies pursuant to this subdivision. The fee may not exceed the actual cost incurred by the county elections official in providing the copies.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 240, Sec. 1. (AB 1851) Effective January 1, 2013.)

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9104

text:
The notice of intention shall contain the printed name, signature, and business or residence address of at least one but not more than five proponents, and may include a printed statement, not exceeding 500 words in length, stating the reasons for the proposed petition. The notice shall be in substantially the following form:

Notice of Intention to Circulate Petition

Notice is hereby given by the persons whose names appear hereon of their intention to circulate the petition within the County of ____ for the purpose of ____. A statement of the reasons of the proposed action as contemplated in the petition is as follows: (optional statement).

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9105

text:
(a) The county elections official shall immediately transmit a copy of any proposed measure to the county counsel. Within 15 days after the proposed measure is filed, the county counsel shall provide and return to the county elections official a ballot title and summary for the proposed measure. The ballot title may differ from any other title of the proposed measure and shall express in 500 words or less the purpose of the proposed measure. In providing the ballot title, the county counsel shall give a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the proposed measure in such language that the ballot title shall neither be an argument, nor be likely to create prejudice, for or against the proposed measure.

(b) The county elections official shall furnish a copy of the ballot title and summary to the proponents of the proposed measure. The proponents shall, prior to the circulation of the petition, publish the Notice of Intention, and the ballot title and summary of the proposed measure in a newspaper of general circulation published in that county, and file proof of publication with the county elections official.

(c) The ballot title and summary prepared by the county counsel shall appear upon each section of the petition, above the text of the proposed measure and across the top of each page of the petition on which signatures are to appear, in roman type not smaller than 11 point. The ballot title and summary shall be clearly separated from the text of the measure. The text of the measure shall be printed in type not smaller than 8 point. The heading of the proposed measure shall be in a boldface type in substantially the following form:

INITIATIVE MEASURE TO BE DIRECTLY SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS

The county counsel has prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure:

(Here set forth the title and summary prepared by the county counsel. This title and summary must also be printed across the top of each page of the petition whereon signatures are to appear.)

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 887, Sec. 6. (SB 1360) Effective January 1, 2023.)

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9106

text: Any elector of the county may seek a writ of mandate requiring the ballot title or summary prepared by the county counsel to be amended. The court shall expedite hearing on the writ. A peremptory writ of mandate shall be issued only upon clear and convincing proof that the ballot title or summary is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of Section 9105.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 237, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9107

text: The county elections official shall ascertain the number of signatures required to sign the petition by obtaining the number of votes cast within the county for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election preceding the publication of the notice of intention to circulate the initiative petition.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9108

text: The proponents may commence to circulate the petitions among the voters of the county for signatures by any registered voter of the county after publication of the title and summary prepared by the county counsel. Each section of the petition shall bear a copy of the notice of intention, and the title and summary prepared by the county counsel.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9109

text: Each petition section shall have attached to it an affidavit to be completed by the circulator. The affidavit shall be substantially in the same form as set forth in Section 104.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9110

text: Signatures shall be secured and the petition shall be presented to the county elections official for filing within 180 days from the date of receipt of the title and summary, or after termination of any action for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 9106 and, if applicable, after receipt of an amended title or summary or both, whichever occurs later.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9111

text:
(a) During the circulation of the petition or before taking either action described in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 9118, the board of supervisors may refer the proposed initiative measure to a county agency or agencies for a report on any or all of the following:

(1) Its fiscal impact.

(2) Its effect on the internal consistency of the county’s general and specific plans, including the housing element, the consistency between planning and zoning, and the limitations on county actions under Section 65008 of the Government Code and Chapters 4.2 (commencing with Section 65913) and 4.3 (commencing with Section 65915) of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code.

(3) Its effect on the use of land, the impact on the availability and location of housing, and the ability of the county to meet its regional housing needs.

(4) Its impact on funding for infrastructure of all types, including, but not limited to, transportation, schools, parks, and open space. The report may also discuss whether the measure would be likely to result in increased infrastructure costs or savings, including the costs of infrastructure maintenance, to current residents and businesses.

(5) Its impact on the community’s ability to attract and retain business and employment.

(6) Its impact on the uses of vacant parcels of land.

(7) Its impact on agricultural lands, open space, traffic congestion, existing business districts, and developed areas designated for revitalization.

(8) Any other matters the board of supervisors requests to be in the report.

(b) The report shall be presented to the board of supervisors within the time prescribed by the board of supervisors, but no later than 30 days after the county elections official certifies to the board of supervisors the sufficiency of the petition.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 92, Sec. 62. (SB 1289) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9112

text:
On or before April 1 of each odd-numbered year, the county elections official of each county shall file a report with the Secretary of State containing the following information:

(a) The number of county initiative petitions circulated during the preceding two calendar years that did not qualify for the ballot, and the number of these proposed initiatives for which reports were prepared pursuant to Section 9111.

(b) With respect to county initiative measures that qualified for the ballot in the preceding two calendar years, the number that were approved by the voters, and the number of these ballot measures for which reports were prepared pursuant to Section 9111.

(c) With respect to county initiative measures that qualified for the ballot in the preceding two calendar years, the number which were not approved by the voters, and the number of these ballot measures for which reports were prepared pursuant to Section 9111.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9113

text:
The petition shall be filed by the proponents, or by any person or persons authorized in writing by the proponents. All sections of the petition shall be filed at one time. Any sections of the petition not so filed shall be void for all purposes. Once filed, no petition section shall be amended except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

When the petition is filed, the county elections official shall determine the total number of signatures affixed to the petition. If, from this examination, the county elections official determines that the number of signatures, prima facie, equals or is in excess of the minimum number of signatures required, the county elections official shall examine the petition in accordance with Section 9114 or 9115. If, from this examination, the county elections official determines that the number of signatures, prima facie, does not equal or exceed the minimum number of signatures required, no further action shall be taken.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9114

text:
Except as provided in Section 9115, within 30 days from the date of filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the elections official shall examine the petition, and from the records of registration ascertain whether or not the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters. A certificate showing the results of this examination shall be attached to the petition.

In determining the number of valid signatures, the elections official may check the signatures against facsimiles of voters’ signatures provided that the method of preparing and displaying the facsimiles complies with law. A signature shall not be invalidated because of a variation of the signature caused by the substitution of initials for the first or middle name, or both, of the person signing the petition.

The elections official shall notify the proponents of the petition as to the sufficiency or insufficiency of the petition.

If the petition is found insufficient, no further action shall be taken. However, the failure to secure sufficient signatures, shall not preclude the filing of a new petition on the same subject, at a later date.

If the petition is found sufficient, the elections official shall certify the results of the examination to the board of supervisors at the next regular meeting of the board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 14, Sec. 3. (AB 698) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9115

text:
(a) Within 30 days from the date of filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, if, from the examination of petitions pursuant to Section 9114 shows that more than 500 signatures have been signed on the petition, the elections official may use a random sampling technique for verification of signatures. The random sample of signatures to be verified shall be drawn so that every signature filed with the elections official shall be given an equal opportunity to be included in the sample. The random sampling shall include an examination of at least 500, or 3 percent of the signatures, whichever is greater. A signature shall not be invalidated because of a variation of the signature caused by the substitution of initials for the first or middle name, or both, of the person signing the petition.

(b) If the statistical sampling shows that the number of valid signatures is within 95 to 110 percent of the number of signatures of qualified voters needed to declare the petition sufficient, the elections official shall, within 90 days from the date of the filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, examine and verify the signatures filed. If the elections official determines, prior to completing the examination of each signature filed, that the petition is signed by the requisite number of qualified voters to declare the petition sufficient, the elections official may terminate the verification of the remaining unverified signatures.

(c) In determining from the records of registration, what number of valid signatures are signed on the petition, the elections official may check the signatures against facsimiles of voters’ signatures, provided that the method of preparing and displaying the facsimiles complies with law.

(d) The elections official shall attach to the petition a certificate showing the result of this examination and shall notify the proponents of either the sufficiency or insufficiency of the petition.

(e) If the petition is found insufficient, no action shall be taken on the petition. However, the failure to secure sufficient signatures does not preclude the filing later of an entirely new petition to the same effect.

(f) If the petition is found to be sufficient, the elections official shall certify the results of the examination to the board of supervisors at the next regular meeting of the board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 870, Sec. 2. (SB 386) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9118

text:
If the initiative petition is signed by voters not less in number than 10 percent of the entire vote cast in the county for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election preceding the publication of the notice of intention to circulate an initiative petition, the board of supervisors shall do one of the following:

(a) Adopt the ordinance, without alteration, at the regular meeting at which the certification of the petition is presented, or within 10 days after it is presented.

(b) Submit the ordinance, without alteration, to the voters pursuant to Section 1405.

(c) Order a report pursuant to Section 9111 at the regular meeting at which the certification of the petition is presented. When the report is presented to the board of supervisors, the board shall either adopt the ordinance within 10 days or order an election pursuant to subdivision (b).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 748, Sec. 4. (AB 765) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 1. Initiative


text: The proponent of an initiative may withdraw the initiative at any time before the 88th day before the election, whether or not the petition has already been found sufficient by the elections official.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 155, Sec. 1. (SB 1153) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9119

text: Whenever any ordinance is required by this article to be submitted to the voters of a county at any election, the county elections official shall cause the ordinance to be printed. A copy of the ordinance shall be made available to any voter upon request.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9120

text: Article 3 (commencing with Section 9160) shall govern the procedures for submitting arguments for county initiatives.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9121

text: Any number of proposed ordinances may be voted upon at the same election.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9122

text: If a majority of the voters voting on a proposed ordinance vote in its favor, the ordinance shall become a valid and binding ordinance of the county. The ordinance shall be considered as adopted upon the date the vote is declared by the board of supervisors, and shall go into effect 10 days after that date.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9123

text: If the provisions of two or more ordinances adopted at the same election conflict, the ordinance receiving the highest number of affirmative votes shall control.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9124

text:
The enacting clause of an ordinance submitted to the voters of a county shall be substantially in the following form:

“The people of the County of ____ ordain as follows:”

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9125

text: No ordinance proposed by initiative petition and adopted either by the board of supervisors without submission to the voters or adopted by the voters shall be repealed or amended except by a vote of the people, unless provision is otherwise made in the original ordinance. In all other respects, an ordinance proposed by initiative petition and adopted shall have the same force and effect as any ordinance adopted by the board of supervisors.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9126

text: This article does not apply to any statewide initiative measure.

article: 1. Initiative


citation: ELEC § 9140

text: The board of supervisors may submit to the voters, without a petition, an ordinance for the repeal, amendment, or enactment of any ordinance. The ordinance shall be voted upon at any succeeding regular or special election and, if it receives a majority of the votes cast, the ordinance shall be repealed, amended, or enacted accordingly.

article: 2. Referendum

path: 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS > 2. County Elections > 2. Referendum


citation: ELEC § 9141

text:
(a) Except an ordinance granting a franchise, the following ordinances shall take effect immediately:

(1) Those calling or otherwise relating to an election.

(2) Those specifically required by law to take immediate effect.

(3) Those fixing the amount of money to be raised by taxation or the rate of taxes to be levied.

(4) Those for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety. The ordinances referred to in this subdivision shall contain a declaration of the facts constituting the necessity and shall be passed by a four-fifths vote of the board of supervisors.

(b) All other ordinances, including ordinances granting a franchise, shall become effective 30 days from and after the date of final passage.

article: 2. Referendum


citation: ELEC § 9142

text:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 9141, ordinances authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds by a county as part of a joint powers entity pursuant to Section 6547 of the Government Code shall not take effect for 60 days.

(b) When the number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election within the boundaries of the county described in subdivision (a) exceeds 500,000, the ordinance is subject to referendum upon presentation of a petition bearing signatures of at least 5 percent of the entire vote cast within the boundaries of the county for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election. When the number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election within the boundaries of the county is less than 500,000, the ordinance is subject to referendum upon presentation of a petition bearing signatures of at least 10 percent of the entire vote cast within the boundaries of the county for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.

(c) For the purpose of submitting the question to the voters pursuant to subdivision (b), the ballot wording shall approximate the following:

“Shall the (county name) ,as a member of the (joint powers entity name) , authorize the issuance of revenue bonds by the joint powers entity in the amount of $____ pursuant to ordinance number ____, dated ____, the bonds to be used for the following purposes and to be redeemed in the following manner: ________?”

article: 2. Referendum


citation: ELEC § 9143

text: Notwithstanding Section 9141, that portion of any ordinance that changes supervisorial salaries shall become effective 60 days from the date of its final passage.

article: 2. Referendum


citation: ELEC § 9144

text: If a petition protesting the adoption of an ordinance is submitted to the county elections official before the effective date of the ordinance, the ordinance shall be suspended and the board of supervisors shall reconsider the ordinance. The petition shall be signed by voters of the county equal in number to at least 10 percent of the entire vote cast within the county for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 106, Sec. 3. (AB 3370) Effective January 1, 2021.)

article: 2. Referendum


text: The proponent of a referendum may withdraw the referendum at any time before the 88th day before the election, whether or not the petition has already been found sufficient by the elections official.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 569, Sec. 1. (SB 681) Effective October 8, 2019.)

article: 2. Referendum