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HomeElections CodeDiv. 18Ch. 7Art. 1§ 18601 Initiative Signature Transparency

§ 18601 Initiative Signature Transparency

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

§ 18601 Initiative Signature Transparency

This law makes it a crime for anyone working on a ballot measure or recall petition to stop a person from reading that petition before signing, and it says that getting arrested for this doesn't cancel any signatures already collected.

Key Takeaways

  • •It is illegal to block someone from reading a petition before they sign.
  • •Being arrested for this does not cancel signatures already collected.
  • •The offense is a misdemeanor.

Example

A volunteer at a grocery store tries to stop a shopper from reading the petition about a new city ordinance before signing it.

The volunteer could be arrested for a misdemeanor because they prevented the shopper from reading the petition, but any signatures the shopper already gave stay valid.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18601 Initiative Signature Transparency

Any person working for the proponent or proponents of an initiative or referendum measure or recall petition who refuses to allow a prospective signer to read the measure or petition is guilty of a misdemeanor. An arrest or conviction pursuant to this section shall not invalidate or otherwise affect the validity of any signature obtained by the person arrested or convicted. (Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

misdemeanorinitiativereferendum measurerecall petitionprospective signer

Related Statutes

  • § 18603 Paying For Petition Signatures
  • § 18600 Petition Signature Misrepresentation
  • § 18602 Initiative Summary Concealment Ban
  • § 18604 Petition Signature Payment Ban
  • § 18610 Petition Signature Forgery Ban

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18601.
View Official Source