California · Elections Code

ELEC §18661: Every public official or employee 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 o

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A public official or employee who knowingly makes false returns, certifications, or affidavits about initiative, referendum, or recall petitions faces fines up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment ranging from county jail (up to 1 year) to state prison (16 months to 3 years).

Read the full statutory text

Every public official or employee 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 knowingly makes any false return, certification or affidavit concerning any initiative, referendum, or recall petition or the signatures appended thereto.

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.