State ElectionsPetition Signatures

Section § 9020

Explanation
This section outlines the requirements for signing a petition in California. Each signer must include their signature, printed name, and complete address, with some flexibility on apartment or unit numbers. Signers must also note their city or community. If the petition lacks a specific disclosure, certain boldface text must be included above the signature line. Only registered voters can sign, and the number of signatures on each section is up to the person gathering them.
(a)CA Elections Code § 9020(a) The petition sections shall be designed so that each signer shall personally affix all of the following:
(1)CA Elections Code § 9020(a)(1) The signer’s signature.
(2)CA Elections Code § 9020(a)(2) The signer’s printed name.
(3)CA Elections Code § 9020(a)(3) The signer’s residence address, giving street and number, or if no street or number exists, adequate designation of residence so that the location may be readily ascertained. An incomplete or inaccurate apartment or unit number in the signer’s residence address shall not invalidate their signature pursuant to Section 105.
(4)CA Elections Code § 9020(a)(4) The name of the signer’s incorporated city or unincorporated community.
(5)CA Elections Code § 9020(a)(5) If the petition does not include the disclosure statement described by subdivision (b) of Section 107, the following text on a separate horizontal line below the signer’s printed name and above the signer’s signature: “DO NOT SIGN UNLESS you have seen Official Top Funders sheet and its month is still valid.” The text “DO NOT SIGN UNLESS” shall be in all capitals and in boldface. The other text shall be capitalized as shown and shall not be in boldface.
(b)CA Elections Code § 9020(b) Only a person who is a qualified registered voter at the time of signing the petition is entitled to sign it.
(c)CA Elections Code § 9020(c) The number of signatures attached to each section shall be at the pleasure of the person soliciting the signatures.
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Section § 9021

Explanation

This law allows individuals who meet certain requirements to circulate petitions for statewide initiatives or referendums in California. Each part of the petition must be labeled with a county or city and county name, and only registered voters from that area can sign it. Additionally, the person gathering signatures, known as the circulator, is permitted to sign the petition section they are circulating.

(a)CA Elections Code § 9021(a) A person who meets the requirements of Section 102 may circulate a statewide initiative or referendum petition anywhere within the state. Each section of the petition shall bear the name of a county or city and county, and only qualified registered voters of that county or city and county may sign that section.
(b)CA Elections Code § 9021(b) The circulator may sign the section he or she is circulating as provided in Section 106.
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Section § 9022

Explanation

This section requires that each petition section has a declaration from the person collecting signatures, confirming the information required by law. The person, known as the circulator, must certify the truthfulness of the declaration under penalty of perjury by signing and dating it, and stating where it was signed. No additional declarations are needed. Verified petitions serve as initial proof, or prima facie evidence, that the signatures are real and the signers are registered voters unless investigated and proven otherwise.

(a)CA Elections Code § 9022(a) Each section shall have attached thereto the declaration of the person soliciting the signatures setting forth the information required by Section 104.
(b)CA Elections Code § 9022(b) The circulator shall certify to the content of the declaration as to its truth and correctness, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, with the signature of his or her name. The circulator shall state the date and the place of execution on the declaration immediately preceding his or her signature.
(c)CA Elections Code § 9022(c) Another declaration shall not be required.
(d)CA Elections Code § 9022(d) Petitions so verified shall be prima facie evidence that the signatures are genuine and that the persons signing are qualified voters. Unless and until otherwise proven upon official investigation, it shall be presumed that the petition presented contains the signatures of the requisite number of qualified voters.
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