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HomeElections CodeDiv. 0.5Ch. 2§ 100 Voter Petition Signature Requirements

§ 100 Voter Petition Signature Requirements

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

§ 100 Voter Petition Signature Requirements

This law says only people who are registered voters can sign petitions, and they must write their name, full address, and leave a blank space for officials to check.

Key Takeaways

  • •Only eligible registered voters may sign a petition or paper.
  • •If you’re signing based on an affidavit of registration, you must be at least 18 years old.
  • •You must sign your name, print it, and give your full street address (missing apartment numbers are okay).
  • •Leave at least a one‑inch blank space after each name for election officials to verify.
  • •Signature lines must be numbered consecutively.

Example

A neighborhood group wants to start a recall petition in their city. A 17‑year‑old tries to sign, and a neighbor who hasn't registered yet also wants to sign.

The 17‑year‑old can't sign because the law only lets people who are 18 or older and already registered vote on petitions. The neighbor who isn’t registered also can’t sign because you must be an eligible registered voter at the time you sign.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 100 Voter Petition Signature Requirements

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever an initiative, referendum, recall, nominating petition or paper, or any other petition or paper is required to be signed by voters of a county, city, school district, or special district subject to petitioning, only a person who is an eligible registered voter at the time of signing the petition or paper is entitled to sign the petition or paper. A person who submits their affidavit of registration pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2102 is not eligible to sign a petition or paper unless at the time of the signing of the petition or paper that person is 18 years of age. (b) A signer shall at the time of signing the petition or paper personally affix their signature, printed name, and place of residence, including the street and number of the place of residence, and if no street or number for the place of residence exists, then a designation of the place of residence that will enable the location to be readily ascertained. An incomplete or inaccurate apartment or unit number in the signer’s residence address shall not invalidate their signature pursuant to Section 105. A space at least one inch wide shall be left blank after each name for the use of the elections official in verifying the petition or paper. (c) The part of a petition for the signatures, printed names, and residence addresses of the voters and for the blank spaces for verification purposes shall be numbered consecutively commencing with the number one and continuing through the number of signature spaces allotted to each section. The petition format shall be substantially in the following form: Official Use Only (Print Name)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

eligible registered votersignatureprinted nameresidence addressincomplete or inaccurate apartment or unit number

Related Statutes

  • § 100.5 Voter Signature Assistance Rules
  • § 10226.3 Candidate Declaration Form
  • § 105 Petition Signature Verification Rules
  • § 14107 Voter Roster Requirements
  • § 2166 Confidential Voter Registration Protection

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 100.
View Official Source