§ 18575 Unauthorized Election Officer Duties

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says it's a serious crime (a felony) to work as an election official or do election duties like counting ballots if you haven't been officially appointed and qualified.

Key Takeaways

•You must be officially appointed and qualified before acting as an election officer.
•Doing any election work (handling, counting, or checking ballots) without that appointment is a felony.
•If convicted, the punishment is 2‑4 years in prison.

Example

A neighbor volunteers to count the votes at the local polling place even though they were never appointed as a ballot counter.

Because they weren't officially appointed, the law treats that as a felony, and they could be sent to prison for two to four years.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 18575 Unauthorized Election Officer Duties

Every person is guilty of a felony, and on conviction shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for two, three or four years, who at any election: (a) Without first having been appointed and qualified, acts as an election officer. (b) Not being an election officer, performs or discharges any of the duties of an election officer in regard to the handling, counting, or canvassing of any ballots. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 87. (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

felony election officer handling, counting, or canvassing of any ballots

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18575.

§ 18575 Unauthorized Election Officer Duties

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 18575 Unauthorized Election Officer Duties

This law says it's a serious crime (a felony) to work as an election official or do election duties like counting ballots if you haven't been officially appointed and qualified.

Key Takeaways

•You must be officially appointed and qualified before acting as an election officer.
•Doing any election work (handling, counting, or checking ballots) without that appointment is a felony.
•If convicted, the punishment is 2‑4 years in prison.

Example

A neighbor volunteers to count the votes at the local polling place even though they were never appointed as a ballot counter.

Because they weren't officially appointed, the law treats that as a felony, and they could be sent to prison for two to four years.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 18575 Unauthorized Election Officer Duties

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

felony election officer handling, counting, or canvassing of any ballots

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18575.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References