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HomeElections CodeDiv. 18Ch. 2§ 18101 Fraudulent Voter Registration Crime

§ 18101 Fraudulent Voter Registration Crime

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

§ 18101 Fraudulent Voter Registration Crime

This law makes it a crime to knowingly fill out a voter registration form for a fake person or for someone who never asked to be registered.

Key Takeaways

  • •You must not knowingly register a fake voter or someone who didn't ask to be registered.
  • •Doing this on purpose is a crime.
  • •Punishment can be up to 16 months to 3 years in state prison, or up to 1 year in a county jail.

Example

A campaign worker writes down a made‑up name on a voter registration card and submits it, hoping the fake person will be added to the voter list.

Because the worker knew the person didn't exist and still completed the form, the law says they can be sent to jail.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18101 Fraudulent Voter Registration Crime

Every person who knowingly and willfully completes, or causes or procures the completion of, in whole or in part, an affidavit of registration or a voter registration card, with the intent to cause the registration or reregistration as a voter of a fictitious person or of any person who has not requested registration or reregistration as a voter, is guilty of a crime punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or in a county jail for not more than one year. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 59. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

affidavit of registrationvoter registration cardfictitious personimprisonment

Related Statutes

  • § 18100 Voter Registration Fraud Penalties
  • § 18105 Voter Registration Neutrality
  • § 2151 Party Preference In Voting
  • § 105 Petition Signature Verification Rules
  • § 12108 Precinct Board Party Disclosure

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18101.
View Official Source