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HomeElections CodeDiv. 6Pt. 1Ch. 1Art. 4§ 6061 Presidential Primary Ballot Access

§ 6061 Presidential Primary Ballot Access

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

§ 6061 Presidential Primary Ballot Access

Key Takeaways

  • •If you want to be on the presidential primary ballot in California as an unselected candidate or uncommitted delegation, you need to get signatures from Democratic voters.
  • •You need at least 1% of Democratic voters in each congressional district to sign, but no more than 500 signatures per district.
  • •You must get these signatures from every congressional district to be on the ballot in any one district.

Example

Imagine you want to run for president in California, but you're not a well-known candidate. You need to get on the primary ballot.

You have to get at least 1% of Democratic voters in each part of California (called congressional districts) to sign a paper saying they support you. But you don’t need more than 500 signatures from each part. If you don’t get signatures from every part, you can’t be on the ballot in any part.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 6061 Presidential Primary Ballot Access

Any unselected candidate or uncommitted delegation desiring to be placed on the presidential primary ballot shall have nomination papers circulated on behalf of the candidacy. In order to qualify for placement on the presidential primary ballot, the candidate’s or uncommitted delegation’s nomination papers shall be signed by voters registered as affiliated with the Democratic Party equal in number to not less than 1 percent or 500, whichever is fewer, in each congressional district of the number of persons registered as members of the Democratic Party in the report of registration issued by the Secretary of State on the 135th day preceding the presidential primary election. The unselected candidates or uncommitted delegations shall meet the statewide signature requirements from each congressional district in order to be eligible for placement on the ballot in any one congressional district. (Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 913, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 1999.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

unselected candidateuncommitted delegationpresidential primary ballotnomination papersDemocratic Partycongressional districtSecretary of State

Related Statutes

  • § 6103 Presidential Primary Signature Notification
  • § 6108 Presidential Primary Nomination Form
  • § 6343 Presidential Primary Candidate Petitions
  • § 6040 Presidential Primary Candidate Designation
  • § 6041 Presidential Primary Candidate Selection

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 6061.
View Official Source