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HomeElections CodeDiv. 18Ch. 6Art. 4§ 18573 Voter Ballot Fraud Penalty

§ 18573 Voter Ballot Fraud Penalty

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

§ 18573 Voter Ballot Fraud Penalty

This law makes it a serious crime to give a ballot to a voter who can’t read and lie about whose name is on it, or to trick any voter into voting for someone they didn’t mean to choose.

Key Takeaways

  • •It’s a felony to give a ballot to a voter who can’t read and tell them the name on it is different from the real name.
  • •It’s illegal to deceive any voter so they vote for a candidate they didn’t intend to vote for.
  • •The punishment can be 16 months to three years in prison.

Example

A volunteer hands a ballot to an illiterate voter and says the name on the ballot is "Mike" when it actually says "Tom," causing the voter to vote for the wrong person.

Because the volunteer misled the voter about the name on the ballot, they broke this law and could be sent to prison for up to three years.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18573 Voter Ballot Fraud Penalty

Every person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years who furnishes any voter wishing to vote, who cannot read, with a ballot, informing or giving that voter to understand that it contains a name written or printed thereon different from the name which is written or printed thereon, or defrauds any voter at any election by deceiving and causing him or her to vote for a different person for any office than he or she intended or desired to vote for. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 86. (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

felonyvoterdeceivedefraudsballot

Related Statutes

  • § 18562 Precinct Board Ballot Secrecy
  • § 18564 Election Equipment Tampering
  • § 18575 Unauthorized Election Officer Duties
  • § 18578 Mail Ballot Fraud Penalties
  • § 14291 Voter Ballot Secrecy Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18573.
View Official Source