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HomeElections CodeDiv. 9Ch. 1Art. 1§ 9008 Initiative Petition Formatting Requirements

§ 9008 Initiative Petition Formatting Requirements

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

§ 9008 Initiative Petition Formatting Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •Before people can sign a petition for a new law, the petition must have a special number from the Attorney General at the top of every page.
  • •The petition must show the title and a short summary of the new law in big letters on every page where people sign.
  • •The title and summary must also be shown before the actual text of the new law in the petition.
  • •The petition must include a clear statement saying it’s a new law for voters to decide, and that the Attorney General wrote the title and summary.

Example

If someone wants to start a petition to make school lunches free for all kids, they have to follow these rules before asking people to sign.

The petition must have a special number from the Attorney General at the top. The title, like 'FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR ALL KIDS,' must be in big letters on every page where people sign. There must also be a short summary explaining the main idea, and it has to say that the Attorney General wrote it.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 9008 Initiative Petition Formatting Requirements

Every proposed initiative measure, prior to circulation, shall have placed across the top of the petition in 11-point or larger roman type, all of the following: (a) The Attorney General’s unique numeric identifier placed before the circulating title and summary upon each page where the circulating title and summary is to appear. (b) The circulating title and summary prepared by the Attorney General upon each page of the petition on which signatures are to appear. The circulating title shall appear in all capital letters. (c) The circulating title and summary prepared by the Attorney General upon each section of the petition preceding the text of the measure. (d) The circulating title and summary prepared by the Attorney General as required by subdivision (b) shall be preceded by the following statement: “INITIATIVE MEASURE TO BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS.”, followed by, on a separate line, “The Attorney General of California has prepared the following circulating title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure:”. This text shall be in boldface. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 887, Sec. 4. (SB 1360) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

initiative measureattorney generalpetitionstatementcirculation

Related Statutes

  • § 9005 Initiative Financial Impact Disclosure
  • § 9001 Initiative Petition Submission Requirements
  • § 9203 Ballot Measure Title Process
  • § 11042 Petition Form Filing Deadlines
  • § 11043 Petition Signer Information Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 9008.
View Official Source