LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeElections CodeDiv. 10Pt. 4§ 10512 Candidate Oath Requirement

§ 10512 Candidate Oath Requirement

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

§ 10512 Candidate Oath Requirement

This law says anyone running for office must include the official oath from the California Constitution when they file their candidacy, and the local elections official must give that oath to both candidates and winners.

Key Takeaways

  • •Candidates must file the full state‑required oath with their candidacy paperwork.
  • •The county elections official (or a person they pick) is the one who gives out the oath.
  • •The same official can also give the oath to the person who wins the election.

Example

Maria wants to run for the school board. When she files her paperwork, she must attach the full oath from the state constitution. After the election, the county clerk can ask her to repeat that oath before she officially takes the seat.

Maria follows the rule by filing the oath with her candidacy papers, and later the clerk gives her the same oath to confirm she’s officially in office.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10512 Candidate Oath Requirement

(a) Each candidate shall set forth in full the oath or affirmation set forth in Section 3 of Article XX of the California Constitution, which shall be filed with the declaration of candidacy. The county elections official or district secretary, or a person designated by the county elections official or district secretary, shall administer the oath. (b) The county elections official or district secretary, or a person designated by the county elections official or district secretary, may administer the oath or affirmation set forth in Section 3 of Article XX of the California Constitution to the candidate elected to office. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 562, Sec. 7. (AB 1829) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

oath or affirmationSection 3 of Article XX of the California Constitutiondeclaration of candidacycounty elections officialdistrict secretary

Related Statutes

  • § 10510 Candidacy Declaration Filing Deadlines
  • § 10513 Candidacy Declaration Review
  • § 10519 District Election Duties Delegation
  • § 12113 District Notice Delivery Requirements
  • § 200 Candidate Oath Requirement

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 10512.
View Official Source