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HomeElections CodeDiv. 0.5Ch. 2§ 105 Petition Signature Verification Rules

§ 105 Petition Signature Verification Rules

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

§ 105 Petition Signature Verification Rules

This law says election officials have to make sure the address on a signature matches the address on the voter’s registration; if it doesn’t match, the signature isn’t counted, but they won’t reject a signature just because the apartment or unit number is missing or wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • •The address on a signature must match the address on the voter’s registration.
  • •If the addresses are different or missing, the signature is not counted.
  • •A missing or wrong apartment/unit number does NOT invalidate the signature.
  • •Invalidating one signature does not affect any other valid signatures on the same paper.

Example

Jane signs a recall petition and writes her address as 123 Main St, but her voter registration shows 124 Main St. Because the street numbers are different, her signature is not counted. If she had left out her apartment number, it would still be counted.

The official checks Jane’s address on the petition against her registration. Since they don’t match, the signature is invalid, but the rest of the petition’s signatures stay valid.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 105 Petition Signature Verification Rules

(a) (1) For purposes of verifying a signature on an initiative, referendum, recall, nomination, or other election petition or paper, the elections official shall determine that the residence address on the petition or paper is the same as the residence address on the affidavit of registration. If the addresses are different, or if the petition or paper does not specify the residence address, or, in the case of an initiative or referendum petition, the information specified in Section 9020 is not contained in the petition, the affected signature shall not be counted as valid. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the elections official shall not invalidate a signature for an incomplete or inaccurate apartment or unit number in the signer’s residence address. (b) A signature invalidated pursuant to this section shall not affect the validity of another valid signature on the particular petition or paper. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 909, Sec. 4. (AB 2562) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

signature verificationresidence addressaffidavit of registrationelection petitioninvalid signature

Related Statutes

  • § 100 Voter Petition Signature Requirements
  • § 10226.3 Candidate Declaration Form
  • § 12108 Precinct Board Party Disclosure
  • § 14107 Voter Roster Requirements
  • § 18100 Voter Registration Fraud Penalties

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 105.
View Official Source