Endorsements Of Candidates - - CA Elections

Section § 20000

This law section is called the Truth in Endorsements Law, which sets out guidelines or rules about how endorsements should be made truthfully.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Truth in Endorsements Law.

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(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Section § 20001

This section explains that political parties play a crucial role in the American system, and need regulation regarding their structure and functions. It outlines the need for state and county conventions and central committees for parties involved in primary elections. The law also addresses past issues where elector organizations have misused party names, causing confusion about endorsements and whether they come from official party bodies or private groups. It emphasizes the importance of protecting voters from misleading political endorsements, similar to protections against false advertising.

The Legislature hereby finds the following to be true:

(1) The major political parties have become an integral part of the American governmental system requiring regulation as to their structure, governing bodies, and functions by state government in the public interest.

(2) The Legislature has found it necessary and appropriate in the regulation of political parties to create and provide for the convening of state conventions, state central committees, and county central committees for parties qualified by law to participate in the direct primary election, by statute.

(3) Over the several years preceding the adoption of this section organizations of electors using as a part of their names the name of a political party qualified to participate in the direct primary election have endorsed candidates for nomination of that party for partisan office in the direct primary election and have publicized and promulgated the endorsements in a manner that has resulted in considerable public doubt and confusion as to whether the endorsements are those of a private group of citizens or of an official governing body of a political party.

(4) The voting public is entitled to protection by law from deception in political campaigns in the same manner and for the same reasons that it is entitled to protection from deception by advertisers of commercial products.

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(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Section § 20006

This law allows a superior court to quickly stop any action that goes against certain election rules if a registered voter requests it. The court can issue orders to prevent the spread of prohibited information through various media like print, broadcast, or online. Such cases are given priority in court to ensure they are resolved quickly.

The superior court, in any case brought before it by any registered voter, may issue a temporary or permanent restraining order or injunction against the publication, printing, circulation, posting, broadcasting, or telecasting of any matter in violation of this chapter, and all cases of this nature shall be in a preferred position for purposes of trial and appeal, so as to assure the speedy disposition thereof.

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(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Section § 20007

This law says candidates cannot claim they are supported by a political party's county or state central committee unless that’s actually true. It prevents candidates from misleading voters by suggesting they have support from a political group with an official party association if they really don’t.

However, candidates can say they have the backing of a group of voters linked to a different party, as long as that group openly shows it’s supporting the candidate with its name. If a candidate falsely claims such support, members of affected party committees can take legal action to stop these misrepresentations.

No candidate or committee in his or her behalf shall represent in connection with an election campaign, either orally or in campaign material, that the candidate has the support of a committee or organization that includes as part of its name the name or any variation upon the name of a qualified political party with which the candidate is not affiliated, together with the words “county committee,” “central committee,” “county,” or any other term that might tend to mislead the voters into believing that the candidate has the support of that party’s county central committee or state central committee, when that is not the case.

This section shall not be construed to prevent a candidate or committee from representing that the candidate has the support of a committee or group of voters affiliated with another political party, which committee or group is identified by the name of that party, where the name of the committee or group also includes the name of the candidate.

Any member of a county central committee or state central committee may commence an action in the superior court to enjoin misrepresentation by a candidate or committee in his or her behalf, in the manner prohibited by this section, to the effect that the candidate has the support of the state or county central committee involved.

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(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Section § 20008

This law requires that any paid political ad in a newspaper that mentions an election or candidate must include the clear label “Paid Political Advertisement.” This label needs to be printed distinctly, in a size that is either half the size of the main text or at least in 10-point font, whichever is larger. The rule applies specifically to ads paid for to support or oppose a candidate running for state or local office.

Any paid political advertisement that refers to an election or to any candidate for state or local elective office and that is contained in or distributed with a newspaper, shall bear on each surface or page thereof, in type or lettering at least half as large as the type or lettering of the advertisement or in 10-point roman type, whichever is larger, the words “Paid Political Advertisement.” The words shall be set apart from any other printed matter.

As used in this section “paid political advertisement” shall mean and shall be limited to, published statements paid for by advertisers for purposes of supporting or defeating any person who has filed for an elective state or local office.

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(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Section § 20009

This law requires that any fake ballots or voter guides clearly indicate that they are not official. They must include a notice, prominently displayed, saying they are unofficial and naming who created them. This requirement doesn't apply to regular newspaper or magazine editorials unless those are paid political ads.

These fake materials also can't use any official government seals or logos. If someone violates this rule, a registered voter can ask a court to block the distribution of the misleading materials through a temporary or permanent legal order, and these cases are prioritized for quick resolution.

(a) Every simulated ballot or simulated county voter information guide shall bear on each surface or page thereof, in type or lettering at least half as large as the type or lettering of the statement or words or in 10-point roman type, whichever is larger, in a printed or drawn box and set apart from any other printed matter, the following statement:

“NOTICE TO VOTERS
“(Required by Law)

“This is not an official ballot or an official county voter information guide prepared by the county elections official or the Secretary of State.

“This is an unofficial, marked ballot prepared by ____ (insert name and address of the person or organization responsible for preparation thereof).”

This section shall not be construed as requiring this notice in any editorial or other statement appearing in a regularly published newspaper or magazine other than a paid political advertisement.

(b) A simulated ballot or simulated county voter information guide referred to in subdivision (a) shall not bear an official seal or the insignia of a public entity, and that seal or insignia shall not appear upon the envelope in which it is mailed or otherwise delivered.

(c) The superior court, in a case brought before it by a registered voter, may issue a temporary or permanent restraining order or injunction against the publication, printing, circulation, posting, or distribution of any matter in violation of this section, and all cases of this nature shall be in a preferred position for purposes of trial and appeal, so as to assure the speedy disposition of cases of this nature.

simulated ballot voter information guide notice to voters unofficial ballot county elections official Secretary of State official seal public entity insignia temporary restraining order permanent injunction political advertisement misleading materials court intervention registered voter lawsuit priority case handling

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 84. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Section § 20010

This California law section prohibits creating or sharing campaign materials with altered images to mislead voters unless they clearly label the images as inaccurate. 'Actual malice' refers to knowingly using fake images or being indifferent to their false nature. If such materials violate this law, any registered voter can seek a court order to stop them, and candidates portrayed falsely can sue for damages. Exceptions include media companies under federal law and regularly published periodicals that aren't primarily for campaign ads. This law will take effect on January 1, 2027.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a person, firm, association, corporation, campaign committee, or organization shall not, with actual malice, produce, distribute, publish, or broadcast campaign material that contains (1) a picture or photograph of a person or persons into which the image of a candidate for public office is superimposed or (2) a picture or photograph of a candidate for public office into which the image of another person or persons is superimposed. “Campaign material” includes, but is not limited to, any printed matter, advertisement in a newspaper or other periodical, television commercial, or computer image. For purposes of this section, “actual malice” means the knowledge that the image of a person has been superimposed on a picture or photograph to create a false representation, or a reckless disregard of whether or not the image of a person has been superimposed on a picture or photograph to create a false representation.

(b) A person, firm, association, corporation, campaign committee, or organization may produce, distribute, publish, or broadcast campaign material that contains a picture or photograph prohibited by subdivision (a) only if each picture or photograph in the campaign material includes the following statement in the same point size type as the largest point size type used elsewhere in the campaign material: “This picture is not an accurate representation of fact.” The statement shall be immediately adjacent to each picture or photograph prohibited by subdivision (a).

(c)

(1) Any registered voter may seek a temporary restraining order and an injunction prohibiting the publication, distribution, or broadcasting of any campaign material in violation of this section. Upon filing a petition under this section, the plaintiff may obtain a temporary restraining order in accordance with Section 527 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(2) A candidate for public office whose likeness appears in a picture or photograph prohibited by subdivision (a) may bring a civil action against any person, firm, association, corporation, campaign committee, or organization that produced, distributed, published, or broadcast the picture or photograph prohibited by subdivision (a). The court may award damages in an amount equal to the cost of producing, distributing, publishing, or broadcasting the campaign material that violated this section, in addition to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

(d)

(1) This section does not apply to a holder of a license granted pursuant to the federal Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.) in the performance of the functions for which the license is granted.

(2) This section does not apply to the publisher or an employee of a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical that is published on a regular basis for any material published in that newspaper, magazine, or other periodical. For purposes of this subdivision, a “newspaper, magazine, or other periodical that is published on a regular basis” does not include any newspaper, magazine, or other periodical that has as its primary purpose the publication of campaign advertising or communication, as defined by Section 304.

(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2027.

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(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 493, Sec. 3) by Stats. 2022, Ch. 745, Sec. 4. (AB 972) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)

Section § 20012

This law addresses the use and distribution of deceptive media, specifically deepfakes, in California elections. It aims to protect the integrity of elections by preventing the distribution of false images, audio, or video that could mislead voters about candidates, officials, or the voting process. For a set period around elections, it is illegal to distribute deceptive content with malice that could harm a candidate's reputation or undermine election outcomes. Exceptions exist for satire, parody, and certain media with proper disclosures. Violations can lead to legal action, including the award of attorney's fees. Broadcast stations and publications must ensure clear disclosures accompany any such deceptive content, and interactive computer services have limited liability. The law outlines strict definitions for terms like 'materially deceptive content' and details the requirements for media disclosures.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares as follows:

(1) California is entering its first-ever artificial intelligence (AI) election, in which disinformation powered by generative AI will pollute our information ecosystems like never before. Voters will not know what images, audio, or video they can trust.

(2) In a few clicks, using current technology, bad actors now have the power to create a false image of a candidate accepting a bribe, or a fake video of an elections official “caught on tape” saying that voting machines are not secure, or generate an artificial robocall in the Governor’s voice telling millions of Californians their voting site has changed.

(3) In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential elections, candidates and parties are already creating and distributing deepfake images and audio and video content. These fake images or files can skew election results, even if they use older methods of distribution, such as mail, television, telephone, and text, and undermine trust in the ballot counting process.

(4) In order to ensure California elections are free and fair, California must, for a limited time before and after elections, prevent the use of deepfakes and disinformation meant to prevent voters from voting and deceive voters based on fraudulent content. The provisions of this bill are narrowly tailored to advance California’s compelling interest in protecting free and fair elections.

(5) The labeling information required by this bill is narrowly tailored to provide consumers with factual information about the inauthenticity of particular images, audio, video, or text content in order to prevent consumer deception.

(b)

(1) A person, committee, or other entity shall not, during the time period set forth in subdivision (c), with malice, knowingly distribute an advertisement or other election communication containing materially deceptive content of any of the following:

(A) A candidate for any federal, state, or local elected office in California portrayed as doing or saying something that the candidate did not do or say if the content is reasonably likely to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate.

(i) For purposes of subparagraph (A), “candidate for any federal, state, or local elected office” includes any person running for the office of President of the United States or Vice President of the United States who seeks to or will appear on a ballot issued in California.

(B) An elections official portrayed as doing or saying something in connection with an election in California that the elections official did not do or say if the content is reasonably likely to falsely undermine confidence in the outcome of one or more election contests.

(C) An elected official portrayed as doing or saying something in connection with an election in California that the elected official did not do or say if the content is reasonably likely to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate or is reasonably likely to falsely undermine confidence in the outcome of one or more election contests.

(D) A voting machine, ballot, voting site, or other property or equipment related to an election in California portrayed in a materially false way if the content is reasonably likely to falsely undermine confidence in the outcome of one or more election contests.

(2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), this section does not apply to a candidate portraying themself as doing or saying something that the candidate did not do or say if the content includes a disclosure stating “This ____ has been manipulated.” and complies with the following requirements:

(A) The blank in the disclosure required by paragraph (2) shall be filled with whichever of the following terms most accurately describes the media:

(i) Image.

(ii) Audio.

(iii) Video.

(B)

(i) For visual media, the text of the disclosure shall appear in a size that is easily readable by the average viewer and no smaller than the largest font size of other text appearing in the visual media. If the visual media does not include any other text, the disclosure shall appear in a size that is easily readable by the average viewer. For visual media that is video, the disclosure shall appear for the duration of the video.

(ii) If the media consists of audio only, the disclosure shall be read in a clearly spoken manner and in a pitch that can be easily heard by the average listener, at the beginning of the audio, at the end of the audio, and, if the audio is greater than two minutes in length, interspersed within the audio at intervals of not greater than two minutes each.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), this section does not apply to an advertisement or other election communication containing materially deceptive content that constitutes satire or parody if the communication includes a disclosure stating “This ____ has been manipulated for purposes of satire or parody.” The disclosure shall comply with the requirements set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2).

(4)

(A) A person, committee, or other entity shall not, during the time period set forth in subdivision (c), do either of the following:

(i) Remove any disclosure required by paragraph (2) or (3).

(ii) Knowingly republish any content subject to paragraph (2) or (3) without the required disclosure.

(B) A violation of subparagraph (A) is evidence of intent to knowingly distribute an advertisement or other election communication containing materially deceptive content, as prohibited by paragraph (1).

(1) One hundred twenty days before any election in California.

(2) For people and items set forth in subparagraphs (B) and (D) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), 120 days before any election in California through 60 days after the election, inclusive.

(d)

(1) A recipient of materially deceptive content distributed in violation of this section, candidate or committee participating in the election, or elections official may seek injunctive or other equitable relief prohibiting the distribution of the materially deceptive content in violation of this section. The court shall also award a prevailing plaintiff reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. An action under this paragraph shall be entitled to precedence in accordance with Section 35 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(2)

(A) A recipient of materially deceptive content distributed in violation of this section, candidate or committee participating in the election, or elections official may bring an action for general or special damages against the person, committee, or other entity that distributed or republished the materially deceptive content in violation of this section. The court shall also award a prevailing party reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. This subdivision shall not be construed to limit or preclude a plaintiff from securing or recovering any other available remedy at law or equity.

(B) This paragraph does not apply to a broadcasting station or internet website that distributed the materially deceptive content if the broadcasting station or internet website did not create the content.

(3) In any civil action alleging a violation of this section, the plaintiff shall bear the burden of establishing the violation through clear and convincing evidence.

(e)

(1) This section does not apply to a broadcasting station that broadcasts any materially deceptive content prohibited by this section as part of a bona fide newscast, news interview, news documentary, commentary of general interest, or on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events, if the broadcast clearly acknowledges through content or a disclosure, in a manner that can be easily heard or read by the average listener or viewer, that the materially deceptive content does not accurately represent any actual event, occurrence, appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.

(2) This section does not apply to a broadcasting station when it is paid to broadcast materially deceptive content and either of the following circumstances exist:

(A) The broadcasting station can show that it has prohibition and disclaimer requirements that are consistent with the requirements in this section and that it has provided those prohibition and disclaimer requirements to each person or entity that purchased the advertisement.

(B) Federal law requires the broadcasting station to air advertisements from legally qualified candidates or prohibits the broadcasting station from censoring or altering the message.

(3) This section does not apply to a regularly published newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation, including an internet or electronic publication, that routinely carries news and commentary of general interest, and that publishes any materially deceptive content prohibited by this section, if the publication clearly states that the materially deceptive content does not accurately represent any actual event, occurrence, appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.

(4) This section does not impose liability on an interactive computer service, as defined in Section 230(f)(2) of Title 47 of the United States Code.

(f) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Advertisement” means any general or public communication that is authorized or paid for the purpose of supporting or opposing a candidate for elective office in California or a ballot measure that appears on a ballot issued in California and that is broadcast by or through television, radio, telephone, or text, distributed through the internet, or disseminated by print media, including billboards, video billboards or screens, and other similar types of advertising.

(2) “Broadcasting station” means a radio or television broadcasting station, including any of the following:

(i) Cable operator, programmer, or producer.

(ii) Streaming service operator, programmer, or producer.

(iii) Direct-to-home satellite television operator, programmer, or producer.

(3) “Committee” means a committee as defined in Section 82013 of the Government Code.

(4) “Deepfake” means audio or visual media that is digitally created or modified such that it would falsely appear to a reasonable person to be an authentic record of the actual speech or conduct of the individual depicted in the media.

(5) “Election communication” means any general or public communication not covered under “advertisement” that is broadcast by or through television, radio, telephone, or text, distributed through the internet, or disseminated by print media, including billboards, video billboards or screens, and other similar types of communications, that concerns any of the following:

(A) A candidate for office or ballot measure.

(B) Voting or refraining from voting in an election.

(6) “Elections official” means any of the following persons, but only in their capacity as a person charged with holding or conducting an election, conducting a canvass, assisting with the holding or conducting of an election or a canvass, or performing another duty related to administering the provisions of the Elections Code:

(i) An elections official as defined in Section 320.

(ii) The Secretary of State and their staff.

(iii) A temporary worker, poll worker, or member of a precinct board.

(iv) Any other person charged with holding or conducting an election, conducting a canvass, assisting with the holding or conducting of an election or a canvass, or performing another duty related to administering the provisions of the Elections Code.

(7) “Malice” means the person, committee, or other entity distributed the audio or visual media knowing the materially deceptive content was false or with a reckless disregard for the truth.

(8)

(A) “Materially deceptive content” means audio or visual media that is intentionally digitally created or modified, which includes, but is not limited to, deepfakes, such that the content would falsely appear to a reasonable person to be an authentic record of the content depicted in the media.

(B) “Materially deceptive content” does not include any audio or visual media that contains only minor modifications that do not significantly change the perceived contents or meaning of the content. Minor changes include changes to brightness or contrast of images, removal of background noise in audio, and other minor changes that do not impact the content of the audio or visual media.

(9) “Recipient” includes a person who views, hears, or otherwise perceives an image or audio or video file that was initially distributed in violation of this section.

(g) The provisions of this section apply regardless of the language used in the advertisement or solicitation. If the language used is not English, the disclosure required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall appear in the language used in the advertisement or solicitation.

(h) The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 262, Sec. 3. (AB 2839) Effective September 17, 2024.)