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HomeElections CodeDiv. 5Ch. 1§ 5002 Political Party Qualification Notice

§ 5002 Political Party Qualification Notice

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

§ 5002 Political Party Qualification Notice

Key Takeaways

  • •If a new group wants to become a political party, the Secretary of State tells all the counties about it.
  • •Counties keep track of voters and which party they belong to, including new groups trying to become parties.
  • •If a voter doesn’t pick a party, they are counted separately and not mixed with party voters.

Example

A new group called the 'Green Future Party' wants to become an official political party.

The Secretary of State tells every county about the 'Green Future Party' and their plan to join the next election. The counties then start counting how many voters sign up for this new party, just like they do for big parties like Democrats or Republicans. If someone doesn’t pick any party, they are counted in a separate 'no party' group.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5002 Political Party Qualification Notice

Upon receipt of the notice specified in Section 5001, the Secretary of State shall notify each county elections official of the name of the political body, its intent to qualify as a political party, and whether it intends to qualify for the next primary election or for the next presidential general election. In preparing the statement of voters and their political affiliations, the county elections officials shall tabulate by political affiliation the affidavits of registration of members of political parties qualified pursuant to Section 5100 or 5151, and political bodies formally declaring an intent to qualify as political parties pursuant to Section 5001. All other affidavits of registration, except those of persons declining to state a political affiliation, shall be tabulated as miscellaneous registrations. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 5. (AB 1419) Effective January 1, 2014.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

Secretary of Statecounty elections officialpolitical bodypolitical partyprimary electionpresidential general electionaffidavits of registrationmiscellaneous registrations

Related Statutes

  • § 5003 Political Party Registration Count
  • § 5005 New Party Temporary Procedures
  • § 14 Disaster Election Procedures
  • § 5001 New Party Formation Rules
  • § 6144 Nomination Paper Examination

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 5002.
View Official Source