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HomeElections CodeDiv. 18Ch. 7Art. 6§ 18650 Petition Signature Use Restrictions

§ 18650 Petition Signature Use Restrictions

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

§ 18650 Petition Signature Use Restrictions

This law says you can't use the list of people who signed a petition for a new law, recall, or vote for anything other than getting that measure on the ballot, unless another specific law says you can.

Key Takeaways

  • •Signature lists can only be used to get the measure on the ballot.
  • •You can't sell, share, or use the list for any other purpose unless another law specifically allows it.
  • •Breaking this rule is a misdemeanor (a criminal offense).

Example

A neighborhood group gathers signatures to put a park improvement measure on the ballot. After collecting the signatures, they try to sell the list to a developer who wants to know who supports the measure.

The law says the group must only use that list to qualify the park measure for the ballot. Selling it to the developer is not allowed, so they could be charged with a misdemeanor.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18650 Petition Signature Use Restrictions

No one shall knowingly or willfully permit the list of signatures on an initiative, referendum, or recall petition to be used for any purpose other than qualification of the initiative or referendum measure or recall question for the ballot, except as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 7924.100) of Chapter 2 of Part 5 of Division 10 of Title 1 of the Government Code. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 103. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

initiativereferendumrecall petitionmisdemeanor

Related Statutes

  • § 18603 Paying For Petition Signatures
  • § 18610 Petition Signature Forgery Ban
  • § 18612 Petition Signature Fraud
  • § 18622 Buying Petition Signatures Prohibited
  • § 18631 Petition Signature Theft Penalty

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18650.
View Official Source