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HomeElections CodeDiv. 13Ch. 6§ 13501 Voter Party Preference Rules

§ 13501 Voter Party Preference Rules

Elections Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 13501 Voter Party Preference Rules

This law says the state and counties must tell voters who hide their party choice that they can only vote in a party primary if that party says it's okay, and they have to share that info in guides, online, and by email or text.

Key Takeaways

  • •Voters who don’t disclose a party can vote in a primary only if the party authorizes it.
  • •The Secretary of State must put this information in the state voter guide and on the website.
  • •Counties must put the same info in their guide, on their website, and must email or text eligible voters.

Example

Maria never told anyone if she is a Democrat or Republican. She wants to vote in the Democratic primary. The Democratic Party has told the Secretary of State they allow voters who don’t disclose a party to vote in their primary.

Because the party gave permission, the state voter guide and website will say Maria can ask for a Democratic ballot, and her county will email or text her to let her know she can request that ballot at the next primary.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 13501 Voter Party Preference Rules

(a) The Secretary of State shall include in the state voter information guide the information specified in subdivision (a) of Section 9083.5, including a statement explaining that a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may not vote in a political party’s primary election unless the political party has authorized a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in its primary election. (b) The Secretary of State shall make all of the following information available on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site: (1) A statement that a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may vote in a political party’s partisan primary election if the political party, by party rule duly noticed to the Secretary of State, authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the next ensuing partisan primary election. (2) The name of each political party that authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the partisan primary election. (3) A statement that a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may request the ballot of one of the political parties that authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the partisan primary election. (c) A county elections official shall include all of the information described in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (b) in the nonpartisan county voter information guide prepared pursuant to Section 13300 and shall make the information available on the official’s Internet Web site. In addition, the county elections official shall send an email to the email address of a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference notifying the voter that he or she may request a political party’s ballot at the next ensuing partisan primary election if the political party has so authorized. The county elections official shall also provide the notice to a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference by text message if the voter has provided written consent to receive text messages from the county elections official. (Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 819, Sec. 1. (AB 837) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

informationpreferenceelectionnetsecretarystatementaddition

Related Statutes

  • § 13303 Voter Information Guide Mailing
  • § 9084 Voter Guide State Measures
  • § 2408 Online Voter Registration Process
  • § 15372 Election Results Certification
  • § 8600 Write-In Candidate Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 13501.
View Official Source