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HomeElections CodeDiv. 12Ch. 2§ 12101 Municipal Election Notice Requirements

§ 12101 Municipal Election Notice Requirements

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

§ 12101 Municipal Election Notice Requirements

This law tells the city to put out a public notice about a municipal election at least 127 days but no more than 113 days before the vote, saying when the election is and what jobs are being voted on, and to add special rules if only one person runs for a spot.

Key Takeaways

  • •The notice must go out between 127 and 113 days before the election.
  • •It must say the election time and which offices are being filled.
  • •For special elections, the notice must say the city can appoint someone if only one candidate runs.
  • •If there’s no newspaper, the notice must be typed and posted in at least three public places.

Example

The city of Riverdale plans a mayoral election for June 10. On May 1 (about 120 days before), the city prints a notice in the local paper that says the election is on June 10 and lists the mayor and council seats up for election.

The notice follows the law because it was posted within the 127‑113 day window and tells people the date and which offices are being filled. If only one person files to run for a council seat, the notice also says the city could appoint that person instead of holding a vote, as the statute requires.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12101 Municipal Election Notice Requirements

(a) Not earlier than the 127th nor later than the 113th day before any municipal election to fill offices, the city elections official shall publish a notice of the election in the city pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. The notice shall be headed “Notice of Election,” and shall contain a statement of: (1) The time of the election. (2) The offices to be filled, specifying full term or short term, as the case may be. (b) With respect to a special election to fill a vacancy in office, unless the city has enacted an ordinance as referred to in subdivision (d) of Section 10229, and the ordinance does not allow for appointment to fill the vacancy and requires the vacancy to be filled in the special election, the notice shall also state that if no one or only one person is nominated for an elected office, appointment to the elective office may be made as prescribed by Section 10229. If there is no newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the city, the notice shall be typewritten and copies shall be posted conspicuously within the time prescribed in at least three public places in the city. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

Notice of Electionmunicipal electionspecial electionappointment

Related Statutes

  • § 10201 Election Proposition Submission
  • § 10220 Municipal Candidate Nomination Rules
  • § 10224.5 Municipal Election Nomination Notice
  • § 10226 Nomination Paper Requirements
  • § 10229 Municipal Election Candidate Shortage

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 12101.
View Official Source