Section § 18200

Explanation

This law makes it a serious crime for anyone to sign a political nomination petition using a fake name or someone else's name. It also applies to those who make someone else sign with a fake name. If found guilty, the person could face prison time for 16 months, two years, or three years as specified in another section of the Penal Code.

Every person who subscribes to any nomination petition a fictitious name, or who intentionally subscribes thereto the name of another, or who causes another to subscribe a fictitious name to a nomination petition, is guilty of a felony and is punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years.

Section § 18201

Explanation

This law states that if someone makes a fake nomination paper or damages or destroys any part of it, they can be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for 16 months to three years, or both.

Any person who falsely makes or fraudulently defaces or destroys all or any part of a nomination paper, is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years or by both that fine and imprisonment.

Section § 18202

Explanation

This law says that if someone working for a candidate intentionally doesn't file the necessary nomination papers or declarations of candidacy on time and in the right place, it's considered a misdemeanor, which is a type of crime.

Every person acting on behalf of a candidate is guilty of a misdemeanor who deliberately fails to file at the proper time and in the proper place any nomination paper or declaration of candidacy in his or her possession that is entitled to be filed under this code.

Section § 18203

Explanation

If someone knowingly files false information on a nomination paper or candidacy declaration, they can face a fine up to $1,000, up to three years in prison, or both.

Any person who files or submits for filing a nomination paper or declaration of candidacy knowing that it or any part of it has been made falsely is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years or by both that fine and imprisonment.

Section § 18204

Explanation

If someone intentionally hides or disrupts any part of a candidate's nomination papers or candidacy declaration, they could be fined up to $1,000, or jailed for a period of 16 months to three years, or face both penalties.

Any person who willfully suppresses all or any part of a nomination paper or declaration of candidacy either before or after filing is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years or by both that fine and imprisonment.

Section § 18205

Explanation

This law makes it illegal for anyone to offer or accept money or anything valuable with the intention of convincing someone not to run, or to withdraw, from a public office election. Breaking this law can lead to a prison sentence ranging from 16 months to three years.

A person shall not directly or through any other person advance, pay, solicit, or receive or cause to be advanced, paid, solicited, or received, any money or other valuable consideration to or for the use of any person in order to induce a person not to become or to withdraw as a candidate for public office. Violation of this section shall be punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years.