§ 18203 False Candidate Filing Penalty

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says if you knowingly file a fake nomination paper or candidate declaration, you can be fined up to $1,000, sent to jail for up to three years, or both.

Key Takeaways

•You must be honest when filing any nomination or candidacy paperwork.
•If you lie on purpose, you can be fined up to $1,000.
•You could also be sentenced to jail for 16 months, two years, or three years, or both the fine and jail.

Example

John pretends to be a candidate for city council and signs a nomination form with false information, knowing the lies are true.

Because John knew the paper was false when he filed it, the law lets the court fine him up to $1,000, put him in jail for up to three years, or do both.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 18203 False Candidate Filing Penalty

Any person who files or submits for filing a nomination paper or declaration of candidacy knowing that it or any part of it has been made falsely is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years or by both that fine and imprisonment. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 64. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

nomination paper declaration of candidacy false information fine imprisonment

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18203.

§ 18203 False Candidate Filing Penalty

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 18203 False Candidate Filing Penalty

This law says if you knowingly file a fake nomination paper or candidate declaration, you can be fined up to $1,000, sent to jail for up to three years, or both.

Key Takeaways

•You must be honest when filing any nomination or candidacy paperwork.
•If you lie on purpose, you can be fined up to $1,000.
•You could also be sentenced to jail for 16 months, two years, or three years, or both the fine and jail.

Example

John pretends to be a candidate for city council and signs a nomination form with false information, knowing the lies are true.

Because John knew the paper was false when he filed it, the law lets the court fine him up to $1,000, put him in jail for up to three years, or do both.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 18203 False Candidate Filing Penalty

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

nomination paper declaration of candidacy false information fine imprisonment

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18203.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References