California · Elections Code

ELEC §18660: (a) Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three ye

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Making a false affidavit about initiative, referendum, or recall petitions is punishable by up to three years in prison. Directing or knowingly submitting false affidavits is also prohibited.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who makes any false affidavit concerning an initiative, referendum, or recall petition or the signatures appended to an initiative, referendum, or recall petition. (b) A person, company, organization, company official, or other organizational officer in charge of a person who circulates an initiative, referendum, or recall petition and who does either of the following is punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both the fine and imprisonment: (1) Knowingly directs an affiant to make a false affidavit concerning an initiative, referendum, or recall petition or the signatures appended to an initiative, referendum, or recall petition. (2) Knows or reasonably should know that an affiant has made a false affidavit concerning an initiative, referendum, or recall petition or the signatures appended to an initiative, referendum, or recall petition and submits the section of the petition that contains the false affidavit.

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.