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HomeElections CodeDiv. 18Ch. 4Art. 1§ 18302 Voter Polling Place Misrepresentation

§ 18302 Voter Polling Place Misrepresentation

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

§ 18302 Voter Polling Place Misrepresentation

This law says it's a crime to knowingly give voters wrong information about where to vote or other voting details, if you intend to trick them.

Key Takeaways

  • •Giving voters the wrong polling place or other voting info on purpose is a misdemeanor.
  • •The law covers mail, email, text, phone calls, TV, radio, internet, and any other way of sending information.
  • •It applies to false locations, false qualifications to vote or register, false mail‑ballot rules, and false dates or times for voting.

Example

A political group mails flyers that tell a voter their polling place is at a school down the street, even though the official list says the polling place is at the community center.

Because the group knew the address was wrong and wanted to mislead the voter, they could be charged with a misdemeanor under this law.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18302 Voter Polling Place Misrepresentation

(a) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who knowingly causes to be mailed or distributed, or knowingly mails or distributes, literature to a voter that includes a designation of the voter’s precinct polling place other than a precinct polling place listed for that voter in an official precinct polling list that constituted the latest official precinct polling list at sometime not more than 30 days prior to the mailing or distribution. (b) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who, with actual knowledge and intent to deceive, causes to be distributed or distributes, including distribution by mail, radio or television broadcast, telephone call, text message, email, or any other electronic means, including over the Internet, literature or any other form of communication to a voter that includes any of the following: (1) The incorrect location of a vote center, office of an elections official, satellite office of an elections official where voting is permitted, vote by mail ballot drop box, or vote by mail ballot drop-off location. (2) False or misleading information regarding the qualifications to vote or to register to vote. (3) False or misleading information regarding the qualifications to apply for, receive, or return a vote by mail ballot. (4) False or misleading information regarding the date of an election or the days, dates, or times voting may occur at a place described in paragraph (1). (Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 109, Sec. 3. (SB 739) Effective September 18, 2020.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

misdemeanorknowinglyfalse or misleading informationvoterprecinct polling placevote centerqualifications to votedate of an election

Related Statutes

  • § 12300 Precinct Board Member Application
  • § 12319 Inspector Polling Place Notice
  • § 18301 Simulated Ballot Penalties
  • § 18304 Misusing Government Seals In Campaigns
  • § 11300 Officer Petition Refiling Rule

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18302.
View Official Source