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HomeElections CodeDiv. 18Ch. 4Art. 7§ 18371 Voter Intimidation Prohibition

§ 18371 Voter Intimidation Prohibition

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

§ 18371 Voter Intimidation Prohibition

This law says you can't try to get a mail‑in voter to vote for you while they are at home or right next to them when they are filling out their ballot.

Key Takeaways

  • •No candidate, campaign worker, or anyone supporting a measure can ask a mail‑in voter for a vote while the voter is at home or in the voter’s immediate presence during voting.
  • •Doing this on purpose is a misdemeanor (a small criminal offense).
  • •The rule does not stop phone calls, mail, or public‑place campaigning unless another law says it’s illegal.

Example

A campaign volunteer knocks on a voter's front door while the voter is writing in their mail‑in ballot and says, "Vote for me!"

Because the volunteer is trying to influence the voter right where the voter is voting, that is not allowed under this law.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18371 Voter Intimidation Prohibition

(a) No candidate or representative of a candidate, and no proponent, opponent, or representative of a proponent or opponent, of an initiative, referendum, or recall measure, or of a charter amendment, shall solicit the vote of a vote by mail voter, or do any electioneering, while in the residence or in the immediate presence of the voter, and during the time he or she knows the vote by mail voter is voting. (b) Any person who knowingly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. (c) This section shall not be construed to conflict with any provision of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, nor to preclude electioneering by mail or telephone or in public places, except as prohibited by Section 18370, or by any other provision of law. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 113. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

vote by mail voterelectioneeringmisdemeanorVoting Rights Act of 1965

Related Statutes

  • § 18370 Election Day Polling Restrictions
  • § 18301 Simulated Ballot Penalties
  • § 18302 Voter Polling Place Misrepresentation
  • § 18304 Misusing Government Seals In Campaigns
  • § 18340 Voter Intimidation Prohibition

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18371.
View Official Source