California · Elections Code

ELEC §16002: When used in this division, “contestant” means any person initiating an election contest.

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines 'contestant' as any person who starts an election contest. It is a definitional provision for election law.

Read the full statutory text
When used in this division, “contestant” means any person initiating an election contest. “Defendant” means that person whose election or nomination is contested or those persons receiving an equal and highest number of votes, other than the contestant, where, in other than primary elections, the body canvassing the returns declares that no one person has received the highest number of votes for the contested office.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.