§ 15452 Plurality Vote Election Rule

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says the person who gets the most votes (a plurality) wins the election, unless a city charter, municipal law, or special primary‑election rules say something different.

Key Takeaways

•The candidate with the most votes wins (plurality).
•If a city or county charter has its own rule, that rule beats the plurality rule.
•Municipal laws and certain primary‑election rules (Article 8) are also exceptions.

Example

A town holds an election for mayor. The town charter says that if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election must be held.

Even though one candidate got the most votes, the town charter’s special rule overrides the plain‑plurality rule, so a runoff is required.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 15452 Plurality Vote Election Rule

The person who receives a plurality of the votes cast for any office is elected or nominated to that office in any election, except: (a) An election for which different provision is made by any city or county charter. (b) A municipal election for which different provision is made by the laws under which the city is organized. (c) The election of local officials in primary elections as specified in Article 8 (commencing with Section 8140) of Part 1 of Division 8. (d) The nomination of candidates for voter-nominated office at the primary election to participate in the general election for that office as specified in Article 8 (commencing with Section 8140) of Part 1 of Division 8. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 1, Sec. 58. (SB 6) Effective January 1, 2010. Operative January 1, 2011, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 1.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

plurality of the votes city or county charter municipal election Article 8 voter-nominated office

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 15452.

§ 15452 Plurality Vote Election Rule

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 15452 Plurality Vote Election Rule

This law says the person who gets the most votes (a plurality) wins the election, unless a city charter, municipal law, or special primary‑election rules say something different.

Key Takeaways

•The candidate with the most votes wins (plurality).
•If a city or county charter has its own rule, that rule beats the plurality rule.
•Municipal laws and certain primary‑election rules (Article 8) are also exceptions.

Example

A town holds an election for mayor. The town charter says that if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election must be held.

Even though one candidate got the most votes, the town charter’s special rule overrides the plain‑plurality rule, so a runoff is required.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 15452 Plurality Vote Election Rule

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

plurality of the votes city or county charter municipal election Article 8 voter-nominated office

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 15452.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References