§ 13104 Candidate Name Change Rules

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says a candidate’s new name can’t be put on the ballot if they change it within a year of an election, unless the change is because of marriage or a court order.

Key Takeaways

•If a candidate changes their name within one year of an election, the new name can only appear on the ballot if the change is due to marriage or a court order.
•If the name change is for any other reason, the ballot must show the old name.
•The rule does not apply to candidates for President or Vice President of the United States.

Example

Jane Doe runs for state senator. Six months before the election she legally changes her name to Jane Smith because she likes the new name, not because she got married or a court ordered it.

Because the name change wasn’t due to marriage or a court decree, the ballot will still list her as Jane Doe, not Jane Smith.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 13104 Candidate Name Change Rules

(a) If a candidate changes their name within one year of any election, the new name shall not appear upon the ballot unless the change was made by either of the following: (1) Marriage. (2) Decree of any court of competent jurisdiction. (b) This section does not apply to candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 72, Sec. 2. (SB 437) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

candidate name change ballot marriage court decree President and Vice President

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 13104.

§ 13104 Candidate Name Change Rules

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 13104 Candidate Name Change Rules

This law says a candidate’s new name can’t be put on the ballot if they change it within a year of an election, unless the change is because of marriage or a court order.

Key Takeaways

•If a candidate changes their name within one year of an election, the new name can only appear on the ballot if the change is due to marriage or a court order.
•If the name change is for any other reason, the ballot must show the old name.
•The rule does not apply to candidates for President or Vice President of the United States.

Example

Jane Doe runs for state senator. Six months before the election she legally changes her name to Jane Smith because she likes the new name, not because she got married or a court ordered it.

Because the name change wasn’t due to marriage or a court decree, the ballot will still list her as Jane Doe, not Jane Smith.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 13104 Candidate Name Change Rules

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

candidate name change ballot marriage court decree President and Vice President

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 13104.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References