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HomeElections CodeDiv. 2Ch. 2Art. 3§ 2142 Voter Registration Court Action

§ 2142 Voter Registration Court Action

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

§ 2142 Voter Registration Court Action

Key Takeaways

  • •If the county won't let you register to vote, you can take them to court to make them do it.
  • •If you registered to vote at the DMV or another government office but they didn't sign you up, you can take them to court too.
  • •You don’t have to pay any court fees for this kind of case.
  • •A bunch of people with the same problem can team up and sue together.

Example

You tried to register to vote at the DMV, but when election time comes, they say you’re not on the list.

You can go to court to make them fix it, and you won’t have to pay any court fees. If your friends had the same problem, they can join you in the lawsuit.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2142 Voter Registration Court Action

(a) If the county elections official refuses to register a qualified elector in the county, the elector may proceed by action in the superior court to compel his or her registration. In an action under this section, as many persons may join as plaintiffs as have causes of action. (b) If the county elections official has not registered a qualified elector who claims to have registered to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.), the elector may proceed by action in the superior court to compel his or her registration. In an action under this section, as many persons may join as plaintiffs as have causes of action. (c) No fee shall be charged by the clerk of the court for services rendered in an action under this section. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 84. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

county elections officialqualified electorsuperior courtDepartment of Motor VehiclesNational Voter Registration Act of 1993

Related Statutes

  • § 2138 Voter Registration Card Return
  • § 2139 Voter Registration Affidavit Return
  • § 2140 Election Plan Compliance Reporting
  • § 2143 Election Official Cost Immunity
  • § 10240 Election Ballot Preparation

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 2142.
View Official Source