California · Elections Code

ELEC §18370: (a) A person shall not, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot, within the 100 foot limit specified in subdivision (b), do any of the following: (1) Circulate an initiati

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Prohibits soliciting votes, circulating petitions, electioneering, and related activities within 100 feet of polling places and ballot drop-off sites, and near voters in line. Violations are misdemeanors.

Read the full statutory text
(a) A person shall not, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot, within the 100 foot limit specified in subdivision (b), do any of the following: (1) Circulate an initiative, referendum, recall, or nomination petition or any other petition. (2) Solicit a vote or speak to a voter on the subject of marking the voter’s ballot. (3) Place a sign relating to voters’ qualifications or speak to a voter on the subject of the voter’s qualifications except as provided in Section 14240. (4) Do any electioneering as defined by Section 319.5. (b) The activities described in subdivision (a) are prohibited within 100 feet of either of the following: (1) The entrance to a building that contains a polling place as defined by Section 338.5, an elections official’s office, or a satellite location. (2) An outdoor site, including a curbside voting area, at which a voter may cast or drop off a ballot. (c) A person shall not, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot, do any of the following within the immediate vicinity of a voter in line to cast a ballot or drop off a ballot: (1) Solicit a vote. (2) Speak to a voter about marking the voter’s ballot. (3) Disseminate visible or audible electioneering information. (d) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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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.