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HomeElections CodeDiv. 18Ch. 6Art. 3§ 18542 Employer Political Pay Envelopes

§ 18542 Employer Political Pay Envelopes

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

§ 18542 Employer Political Pay Envelopes

This law says bosses can't put any political names, slogans, or threatening messages on the envelopes that hold employees' paychecks; doing that is a misdemeanor.

Key Takeaways

  • •Employers must keep pay envelopes free of any political names, slogans, or threats.
  • •The rule applies to all types of employers—companies, individuals, or anyone who hires workers.
  • •Violating the rule is a misdemeanor, a criminal offense.

Example

A manager sticks a label on every paycheck that says "Vote for Jane Doe" or includes a threatening slogan about voting a certain way.

Because the paycheck envelope now has a political message, the manager is breaking the law and could be charged with a misdemeanor.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18542 Employer Political Pay Envelopes

Every employer, whether a corporation or natural person, or any other person who employs, is guilty of a misdemeanor if, in paying his or her employees the salary or wages due them, encloses their pay in pay envelopes upon which or in which there is written or printed the name of any candidate or any political mottoes, devices, or arguments containing threats, express or implied, intended or calculated to influence the political opinions or actions of the employees. (Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

misdemeanorpay envelopespolitical mottoesthreatspolitical opinions

Related Statutes

  • § 15470 Committee Candidate Election Requirements
  • § 16540 Affidavit Hearing Scheduling
  • § 18540 Voter Intimidation Prohibition
  • § 18541 Voter Intimidation Near Polling Places
  • § 18543 Voter Intimidation Prohibited

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18542.
View Official Source