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HomeElections CodeDiv. 18Ch. 7Art. 2§ 18611 Petition Signature Fraud Penalties

§ 18611 Petition Signature Fraud Penalties

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

§ 18611 Petition Signature Fraud Penalties

This law makes it a crime to spread a petition that has fake or made‑up names, and it can result in a fine, jail time, or both.

Key Takeaways

  • •It is illegal to circulate a petition with fake or forged signatures if you know they are false.
  • •Penalties include a fine of up to $5,000, up to one year in county jail, or both.
  • •The law applies to initiative, referendum, and recall petitions.

Example

A group circulates an online petition to recall a city council member, but the petition includes names of people who never signed it.

Because the petition contains false names and the circulators knew it, they can be charged under this statute and face a fine up to $5,000, up to one year in county jail, or both.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18611 Petition Signature Fraud Penalties

Every person is punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or 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 not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment, who circulates or causes to be circulated any initiative, referendum, or recall petition, knowing it to contain false, forged, or fictitious names. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 89. (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

initiativereferendumrecall petitionfalse, forged, or fictitious names

Related Statutes

  • § 18610 Petition Signature Forgery Ban
  • § 18612 Petition Signature Fraud
  • § 18613 Petition Signature Fraud Penalties
  • § 18614 Fraudulent Petition Signature Penalties
  • § 18603 Paying For Petition Signatures

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 18611.
View Official Source