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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 10Pt. 13Ch. 8Art. 1§ 101286 Petition Signature Verification

§ 101286 Petition Signature Verification

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

§ 101286 Petition Signature Verification

This law says that after someone turns in a petition, the county has 30 days to check how many signatures are real by comparing them to voter records. They then have to tell the district how many voters signed it and what percentage that is of all voters.

Key Takeaways

  • •The county has 30 days to check the signatures on a petition.
  • •They compare signatures to voter records to make sure they’re real.
  • •They tell the district how many signed and what percentage that is of all voters.

Example

A group wants to change a school rule and collects signatures from parents.

The county checks if the signatures are from real voters. If 500 out of 5,000 voters signed, they tell the school district that 10% of voters want the change.

How to Calculate

Percentage = (Number of signers / Total registered voters) × 100

  1. Count how many people signed the petition.
  2. Find out how many voters are registered in the district.
  3. Divide the number of signers by the total voters and multiply by 100 to get the percentage.

A petition to add a new park gets 1,200 signatures.

Result: Percentage = (1200 / 8000) × 100 = 15%

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 101286 Petition Signature Verification

Within 30 days after the receipt of the petition, the county elections official shall examine the petition and determine the number of valid signers thereof by comparing the signatures thereon with the signatures of registered voters as appear on the affidavits of voter registration on file with him or her. The county elections official then shall certify to the secretary of the district all the following: (a) The total number of voters registered within the district at the time of the last general statewide election immediately preceding the filing of the petition. (b) The total number of registered voters of the district who have signed the petition. (c) The percentage which the number of such signers bears to the total number of voters registered to vote within the district at such time. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 221, Sec. 118. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

petitioncounty elections officialvalid signersregistered votersaffidavits of voter registrationcertifysecretary of the district

Related Statutes

  • § 101285 Voter Petition For Transit Bonds
  • § 101287 Supplemental Petition Deadline
  • § 101288 Petition Submission Requirements
  • § 101296 Bond Election Compliance Rules
  • § 26404 Annexation By Voter Petition

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 101286.
View Official Source