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HomeElections CodeDiv. 20Ch. 1§ 20009 Simulated Ballot Notice Requirements

§ 20009 Simulated Ballot Notice Requirements

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

§ 20009 Simulated Ballot Notice Requirements

This law says any fake ballot or fake voter guide must clearly say it’s not official, show who made it, be printed in a big enough font, and cannot use any government seal.

Key Takeaways

  • •A notice must be printed in a box, at least half the size of the other text or 10‑point roman type, whichever is larger.
  • •The notice must say the ballot isn’t official and name the person or group that made it.
  • •No official seal or insignia can appear on the fake ballot or its envelope.
  • •A voter can ask the superior court for an injunction to stop illegal fake ballots, and those cases move quickly.

Example

A political group prints a sample ballot and hands it out at a community event.

The group must put a big notice on the sample ballot that says it’s not an official ballot, list the group’s name and address, use a font at least half the size of the other text or 10‑point, and must not put any county or state seal on it.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 20009 Simulated Ballot Notice Requirements

(a) Every simulated ballot or simulated county voter information guide shall bear on each surface or page thereof, in type or lettering at least half as large as the type or lettering of the statement or words or in 10-point roman type, whichever is larger, in a printed or drawn box and set apart from any other printed matter, the following statement: “NOTICE TO VOTERS “(Required by Law) “This is not an official ballot or an official county voter information guide prepared by the county elections official or the Secretary of State. “This is an unofficial, marked ballot prepared by ____ (insert name and address of the person or organization responsible for preparation thereof).” This section shall not be construed as requiring this notice in any editorial or other statement appearing in a regularly published newspaper or magazine other than a paid political advertisement. (b) A simulated ballot or simulated county voter information guide referred to in subdivision (a) shall not bear an official seal or the insignia of a public entity, and that seal or insignia shall not appear upon the envelope in which it is mailed or otherwise delivered. (c) The superior court, in a case brought before it by a registered voter, may issue a temporary or permanent restraining order or injunction against the publication, printing, circulation, posting, or distribution of any matter in violation of this section, and all cases of this nature shall be in a preferred position for purposes of trial and appeal, so as to assure the speedy disposition of cases of this nature. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 84. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

simulated ballotcounty voter information guideNOTICE TO VOTERSofficial sealrestraining order

Related Statutes

  • § 20006 Election Violation Injunctions
  • § 1 Elections Code Title
  • § 10 Secretary Voter Registration Duties
  • § 10.5 Elections Cybersecurity And Misinformation
  • § 1000 California Election Dates

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 20009.
View Official Source