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Preface
The Secretary of State’s Guide to Voter Registration Drives is designed to help political
parties, voter registration drive coordinators, petition management companies,
circulators, and volunteers understand their responsibilities and requirements when
helping people register to vote.
This Guide is designed to reflect all current laws, regulations and rules that pertain to
voter registration, but it does not have the force and effect of law, regulation or rule.
Therefore, in the unlikely event there is a conflict between the Guide and a law,
regulation or rule, the law, regulation or rule shall take precedence.
The Secretary of State’s Election Fraud Investigation Unit vigorously pursues possible
violations of the California Elections Code and Penal Code relating to election, voter
registration, petition, and voter fraud. The Unit has the authority to investigate all
possible Elections Code related violations, but must turn its findings over to the
Attorney General or local district attorney for possible prosecution of any case.
If you witness activity that you suspect may be improper or illegal or if you have
questions, please contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at (916) 657-2166.
Revised June 2011
i
Table of Contents
Chapter I. Planning A Voter Registration Drive
…………………1
Chapter II. Training Your Team
Training Is Important!
……………………………….………………………….4
Voter Registration Card (VRC) – The Basics of Voter
Registration
……………………………….…...……………………………..…….5
Filling Out a VRC
……………………………….…...……………………….…..11
Chapter III. Penalties for Failing to Comply with Voter
Registration Requirements
Penalties for the Voter…..…………….………………………………
17
Penalties for the Person Registering Voters
………………………….18
Appendices
Voter Registration Card Statement of Distribution (Appendix A)…...………….A-1
Sample Statement of Circulator’s Responsibilities and Liabilities
(Appendix B)…….……………………………….………………………………B-1
Possible Voter Registration Fraud Indicators (Appendix C) ……………………C-1
Voter Registration - Frequently Asked Questions (Appendix D)……………….D-1
ii
Chapter I
Planning A Voter Registration Drive
Contact Your Local Elections Office
Planning is the first step of a successful voter registration drive. Your county elections
office can provide you with the materials you need to get started, as well as offer advice
about how to conduct a successful registration drive. For a list of county elections
offices, please refer to the Secretary of State’s website at
www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm.
Develop a Plan
After consulting with your county elections office and getting the appropriate materials,
you may wish to gather important data. While it is possible to distribute voter
registration cards at any location, you may wish to develop a plan to reach the largest
number of unregistered citizens in your area.
Two questions you may wish to ask to help you develop a plan include:
How many people in the area where you want to conduct your voter registration
drive are already registered to vote?
How many of those who are not registered to vote will be 18 by the time of the next
election, are U.S. citizens, and are residents of California?
Information to help you answer these questions is available from various census
publications and from the United States Census Bureau’s website at www.census.gov.
Congressional district information can be found in the Congressional District Atlas
(www.census.gov/geo/www/cd108th/atlascd108.html), while county and city information
can be obtained in the General Population Characteristics publication
(www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cp1/cp-1.html). These publications also may be
available at your local library.
Answering these questions will help you define the scope of your voter registration
drive, as well as identify the resources you will need to meet your goals. It may also
make the way you approach your efforts more effective and your drive more
successful.
Distribution Form
Any person, group or organization requesting more than 50 voter registration cards
from a county elections official or the Secretary of State’s office must complete a
distribution form and state the distribution plan on the form. The distribution plan
should describe how the drive will be organized, what groups will be targeted, what
methods will be used to distribute cards, and an acknowledgement that organizers
know and will follow the laws and rules relating to voter registration. (California Code of
Regulations, title 2, § 20001(g).)
1
A “Voter Registration Card Statement of Distribution” form is available on the Secretary
of State’s website at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vrdis.pdf and in Appendix A.
Paying People to Register Citizens to Vote
Elections Code section 2159.5 states that any person, company, or organization that is
paying people to help register citizens to vote must:
Maintain a list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of everyone that
the person, company, or organization has agreed to pay for helping register citizens
to vote.
Provide each person who is being compensated for helping register citizens to vote
with a written statement of that person’s personal responsibilities and liabilities
under Elections Code sections 2138, 2139, 2150, 2158, 2159, 18100, 18101,
18103, 18106, 18108, 18108.1, and 18108.5; and maintain for at least three years,
a written acknowledgment that the person received the written statement. [A
Sample Statement of Circulator’s Responsibilities and Liabilities can be found in
Appendix B.]
Only compensate people who comply with the requirements of Elections Code
section 2159, which states in pertinent part that “any person who, in exchange for
money or other valuable consideration, assists another to register to vote by
1
receiving the completed affidavit of registration from the elector, shall sign in his or
her handwriting and affix directly on the affidavit of registration his or her full name,
telephone number, and address, and the name and telephone number of the
person, company, or organization, if any, that agrees to pay money or other
valuable consideration for the completed affidavit of registration.”
Submit all cards collected to the elections official, even if some cards do not contain
all of the information required by Elections Code sections 2150 and 2159. When
submitting the completed cards, place the cards that contain all of the required
information into a group and attach a signed acknowledgement that the cards in the
group are in compliance with Elections Code sections 2150 and 2159. If there are
cards that do not contain all of the required information, place them into a group and
attach a signed acknowledgment that the cards in the group are not in compliance
with Elections Code sections 2150 and 2159.
Failure to comply with any of these requirements is a misdemeanor punishable by a
fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by up to one year in jail. The fine and
imprisonment time increase upon a third or subsequent conviction. (Elections Code §
18108.5.)
As a registration drive organizer, you should be mindful of the potential for voter
registration fraud. A list of possible voter registration fraud indicators can be found in
1
The Elections Code refers to voter registration cards as affidavits of registrations. For purposes of this
guide the terms are synonymous.
2
Appendix C. Please contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at (916) 657-
2166 for more information.
3
Chapter II
Training Your Team
Training Is Important!
It is critical that everyone working or volunteering for you understands the
procedures and laws relating to voter registration. Before being sent out to register
people to vote, be certain that each person knows the eligibility requirements for
registration and how important it is for registrants to correctly complete the voter
registration card.
If your workers or volunteers give out incorrect information, they and you, as the drive
organizer, may inadvertently deny a qualified citizen the ability to register to vote or
register a person who is not qualified to register to vote. There are criminal penalties
for intentionally denying qualified citizens the opportunity to register to vote or for
registering someone to vote who is not eligible to register to vote.
Please have your workers or volunteers review this Guide, especially the section
“Who Can Register to Vote in California?” which begins on page 7, as well as the
Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ca.gov/elections_vr.htm.
Contact Your Local Elections Official
Be sure to contact your local elections official about training everyone involved in your
registration drive. Many local elections officials conduct voter registration training
programs and have printed material or other resources that might be useful in training
your workers and volunteers. For a list of county elections offices, please refer to the
Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm.
Basic Information
The following information should be shared with your workers or volunteers to
ensure they are aware of the voter registration laws and regulations, and to help
them answer questions about voter registration. Each worker or volunteer must
understand that if a person asks a question and the worker or volunteer is unsure of
the answer, they should refer the person to the appropriate elections official.
Workers and volunteers should have a copy of the “Voter Registration - Frequently
Asked Questions” information in Appendix D when registering voters.
4
Voter Registration Card (VRC) – The Basics of Voter
Registration
State VRC vs. County VRC
State VRC
The state VRC is pre-printed with a mailing address to the Secretary of State’s
office in Sacramento. These cards come to the Secretary of State’s office, are
sorted by hand and then forwarded to the appropriate county elections office where
the voter is actually placed on the voter rolls.
The state VRC is printed in English, as well as in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese, as required by the federal Voting Rights Act.
The benefit of using the state VRC is it can be used in any of 58 counties.
However, it will take a person longer to be registered to vote, given that the cards
are mailed to one central location, and then mailed out to the appropriate county
where the person is registering to vote.
County VRC
The county VRC is identical to the state VRC except the pre-printed mailing address
on the front is that of a specific county elections office, so these VRCs can be
mailed directly back to the specific county elections office.
Counties are only required to provide election materials in certain languages other
than English when the number of residents that speak a minority-language exceeds
a certain percentage of the population. Therefore, most counties do not print
county VRCs in all seven approved languages.
The benefit of using the county VRC is the person will become a registered voter
much quicker, since the card is mailed directly to their home county elections office.
Which Card to Use
If you are planning a statewide voter registration drive, you should use the state
VRC, especially if you plan to register voters at an event or activity that will attract
people from different counties.
If you are conducting your drive exclusively in one county, you should use that
county’s VRC. This will ensure county elections officials will receive the VRC more
quickly. Even if you are conducting a regional voter registration drive involving
several counties, you may wish to use VRCs that are specific to each county.
5
Where To Obtain VRCs
VRCs must be provided in sufficient quantities to anyone who wishes to distribute
the cards. (Election Code § 2158.) However, elections officials are precluded by
law from giving cards to anyone who has been convicted of violating voter
registration laws within the last five years.
To obtain county VRCs, contact the appropriate county elections office. For a list of
county elections offices, please refer to the Secretary of State’s website at
www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm.
To obtain state VRCs, contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at (916)
657-2166.
Anyone requesting more than 50 VRCs from a county elections official or the
Secretary of State’s office must complete a distribution form, which includes a plan
of distribution, in order to obtain the registration cards. A Voter Registration Card
Statement of Distribution form is available on the Secretary of State’s website at
www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vrdis.pdf and in Appendix A. In order to receive state
VRCs, the completed statement and plan of distribution can be faxed to the
Secretary of State’s office at (916) 653-3214 or mailed to:
Secretary of State
Elections Division
thth
1500 11 Street, 5 Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Upon receiving a completed request by fax or mail, the Secretary of State will
process the request within 48 hours.
If you will be conducting a mass mailing of VRCs without targeting unregistered,
eligible citizens and without the intended recipients having asked for the cards, the
Secretary of State will help you design a distribution plan to ensure cards are not
unnecessarily wasted.
Can a VRC from One County be Used to Register a Resident of
Another County?
Yes. If a resident of one county uses another county’s VRC to register, the county
that receives the card will forward it to the proper county elections office. (Elections
Code § 2114.) However, it is best to use the county-specific cards whenever
possible to avoid delays in getting the citizen registered to vote.
Deadline for Voter Registration
Even though citizens can register to vote at any time, if they want to vote in an
upcoming election, they must register no later than 15 days before that election.A
6
completed VRC must be postmarked or delivered in person to the county elections
office no later than 15 days before an election. (Elections Code §§ 2102, 2107.)
Registration cards postmarked or received from 14 days prior to Election Day to
Election Day will not be valid for the current election. However, the person will be
registered to vote in time for the next election.
Who Can Register to Vote in California?
In order to register to vote, a person must be:
citizen
A United States,
resident
A of California,
18 years of age
or older on Election Day,
Not in prison or on parole
for a felony conviction, and
Not foundmentally incompetent.
by a court to be
Citizenship
The most basic requirement for registering to vote is United States citizenship.
th
Amendment to the United States Constitution states, “All persons born
The 14
or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are
citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” A person is
not a citizen simply because they live in California or are married to a U.S.
citizen.
While federal law requires the voter to check a box on the registration card to
indicate that they are a U.S. citizen, Elections Code section 2111 says that a
person who signs a registration card under penalty of perjury is assumed, in the
absence of contrary information, to be a citizen. Elections Code section 2112
additionally states that a registration card is proof of citizenship for voting
purposes only; it cannot be used to prove citizenship for any other purpose.
Residency
A voter’s residence, for purposes of voter registration, is the address specified
by the voter. A voter may have more than one residence, but may only register
to vote at the residence the voter considers to be their domicile. For example, a
voter may have homes in Red Bluff and San Diego, spending a portion of their
time in each. In this case, the voter should register at the address they consider
to be their principal residence, at which they have the intention of remaining, and
to which they, when away, intend to return.
A person’s residence status depends on their action and intent. If a person
moves to another state or another country but intends to return, they may still
claim residency in California. However, they cannot register in another state and
also continue to vote in California.
7
If a person is in the service of the United States or the State of California, that
person may retain residency in California for voting purposes if stationed
elsewhere. (Elections Code § 2025.)
A student who is going to school away from home may register to vote either at
the address where they live when going to school or at the address where they
live when they are not going to school. If a student is re-registering to vote at a
school address, they should fill out the prior registration portion of the card to
cancel their previous registration.
Courts have ruled that a homeless person may register to vote at a location they
state is the place where they spend most of their time. The person must provide
a description of the location that is clear enough for the elections official to
establish that person’s right to vote in a particular precinct. This ensures
accurate elections materials can be provided to this voter. In these instances, a
mailing address needs to be provided in order for the voter to receive election
materials.
Age
Citizens who will be at least 18 years of age at the time of the next election may
register and vote.
In prison or on parole for a felony conviction
A person who is convicted of a felony loses the right to register and vote while
they are in prison or on parole. Once their prison term and parole period (if they
have one) is completed, the person’s ability to vote (if they were previously
registered) or to register and vote is restored. For more information on the rights
of people who have been incarcerated, please see the Secretary of State’s
Voting Guide for Inmates atwww.sos.ca.gov/elections/sharing-ideas/a-voting-
guide-for-inmates.pdf.
Mental incompetence
A person found by a court to be mentally incompetent may not register to vote.
The registration of any voter found by a court to be mentally incompetent for
voting purposes must be canceled by the county elections official. (Elections
Code §§ 2208, 2209, 2210, 2211.)
Who Can Register Citizens to Vote?
You do not need to be a registered voter, be a particular age or even be a resident
of the area in order to register voters. However, if you help someone fill out the
registration card, you do have to fill in and sign the card in the spaces provided for
that purpose.
8
Partisan Political Activity While Registering Voters
Any person may, while registering voters, conduct partisan political activity. The law
does not restrict your free speech rights when conducting a voter registration drive.
Common courtesy and common sense, however, should be practiced.
Give a VRC to Anyone Who Requests One
Even if you are conducting a partisan voter registration drive, California law requires
you to give a blank VRC to anyone who asks for one and to turn in any completed
voter registration card, regardless of the person’s party preference. (Elections Code
§ 2158; California Code of Regulations, title 2, § 20001(g)(1).) Failure to do so is
punishable by a fine. (Elections Code § 18107.)
A Citizen Need Not Be Able to Speak and/or Write English in Order
to Register to Vote
There is no literacy requirement for participation in the elections process. If a
citizen cannot read or write in any language, they may be assisted in completing a
VRC.
Whenever a person, who is being paid to register citizens, provides assistance to a
citizen registering to vote, the person assisting must also sign and date the
completed registration card and provide their full name, telephone number, and
address, and the name and telephone number of the person, company or
organization, if any, that agrees to pay money or other valuable consideration for
the completed VRC. (Elections Code §§ 2150, 2159.) Failure to do so is a
misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine, imprisonment or both. (Elections Code §
18108.)
You Cannot Charge a Citizen a Fee to Register to Vote
th
The 24 Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the use of any poll or other
tax as a way to deny people the right to vote. Additionally, Elections Code section
2121 states, “No fees may be charged for registration.” A person may, however,
solicit campaign contributions while registering voters, as long as that is not a
condition for allowing an eligible citizen to register to vote.
Change of Address, Voter’s Name, or Political Party Preference
Voters need to re-register to vote whenever they move to a new address, change
their name or change their political party preference. When completing a new VRC,
they must provide both their new and previous registration information. (Elections
Code §§ 2115, 2152.)
9
The Circulator May Not Fill in the Blanks on VRCs
The circulator may not fill in the blanks on the VRC unless the citizen registering to
vote asks for that help. If asked for assistance, the circulator must complete the
VRC in its entirety and exactly as the citizen requests. The circulator assisting in
filling out the card must also provide all required information on the VRC (sign and
date the card, provide their full name, telephone number, address, and the name
and telephone number of the person, company or organization, if any, that agrees
to pay money or other valuable consideration for the completed VRC). Cards with
any pre-filled “blanks” may not be used. (Elections Code §§ 2159, 2162.)
VRC is Signed Under Penalty of Perjury
To be valid, a VRC must include the signature of the voter indicating they certify
under penalty of perjury that the information on the card is accurate. Perjury is
punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to four years. (Penal Code §§
118, 126.)
Information on VRCs is Confidential
Personal information provided on VRCs is confidential, but is required by law to be
released to people who intend to use that information for election, scholarly,
journalistic, or political purposes, or for governmental purposes, as determined by
the Secretary of State. However, the driver’s license, identification card or social
security number and the voter’s signature will not be released, even for the uses
listed above. (Elections Code § 2194.)
The voter registration file may be purchased from the county or from the Secretary
The voter registration file may not be
of State for the above-listed purposes only.
used for commercial purposes.
(Elections Code § 2194.)
A person wishing to order a copy of the voter registration file must complete an
application that requires them to provide their driver’s license or state identification
card number. The person applying must also show their identification to the
elections office to verify their identity.
If a person or an organization in charge of the voter registration drive discloses a
driver’s license number, identification card number and/or social security number
from a VRC to someone other than an elections official or the person or
organization in charge of the voter registration drive, that person is guilty of an
infraction. The infraction is punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500).
(Elections Code §§ 2138.5, 18111.)
Duplicated VRCs Cannot Be Used
Only official state or county-issued VRCs may be used. If your voter registration
drive runs out of cards, you may obtain more from the county elections office or
from the Secretary of State’s office.
10
You may not print VRCs in the newspaper, in newsletters, or elsewhere. You may
print and publish a request for a VRC which, when filled out and returned by the
citizen, would trigger an official voter registration card to be mailed to that citizen for
them to complete and return.
Returning the Completed VRCs
Completed VRCs may be returned either in person to the county elections official or
by depositing them in the mail. If a person accepts a completed card from a voter,
that card must be returned in person, to the county elections official or Secretary of
State, or deposited in the mail within three days of receiving it (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays and state holidays) or before the close of registration, whichever is earlier.
(Elections Code § 2138.) Failure to submit completed VRCs within this time frame
is a misdemeanor. (Elections Code § 18103.)
The circulator must allow a voter to return their own completed card; the circulator
cannot interfere with the prompt transfer of a completed card from a voter to the
elections office. (Elections Code § 2138.) Refusal to return a completed card to the
voter or interference with the prompt transfer of a completed card is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine. (Elections Code § 18103.)
Offering Incentives for Registering Voters
Federal law makes it unlawful in an election in which there is a federal contest on
the ballot (e.g., President, U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative) to knowingly and
willfully pay, offer to pay, or accept payment for registering to vote or for voting. (42
U.S.C. § 1973i(c).) Violations are punishable by imprisonment for up to five years.
Any type of incentive is considered “payment,” even things as seemingly innocent
as cookies or admission to an entertainment event.
Filling Out a VRC
There Are Two Portions to Each Card
The registration portion
. This section is used to register the voter, is detachable,
and can be mailed to the elections official without the need for postage.
The voter’s receipt
. A number is printed on the receipt, which corresponds to the
number under the signature block on the registration portion of the card. Anyone
helping a person register to vote and returning the completed affidavit to the
elections office on behalf of the newly registered voter must fill out the information
required on the receipt and give it to the person who is registering to vote.
(Elections Code § 2158.)
Use Ink
The card should be filled out with black, blue, or other dark ink colored pen.
11
Print Legibly
All of the information on the card must be legible. If an elections official cannot read
the information on the card, they may not be able to enter the voter’s name into voter
registration file and assign them to the proper precinct and district.
Complete the Entire VRC
Make sure the person registering to vote fills out the VRC completely. Any omission of
required information may delay or invalidate the registration.
Most common omissions and/or mistakes:
County:
People are accustomed to writing their city and state, but not
identifying the county in which they live when writing their address. Information
about a person’s county is requested in two places on the card: the residence
address portion (Item 5) and the prior registration portion (Item 16).
Birthplace:
Many people list a city rather than the state or foreign country
where they were born (Item 10).
Missing Identification Information:
Failure to provide the required driver’s
license number, state identification card number, or the last four digits of the
social security number may cause delays. A person should fill in the proper
identification number if they have one (Item 11).
Citizenship and Age:
There are “Yes” and “No” check boxes, above the voter’s
declaration and signature box, where the person must check both their
citizenship and age eligibility declarations (Item 17).
Prior Registration:
This section must be completed if the voter has been
registered before, whether in California or in another state (Item 16).
Signature:
Local elections officials cannot accept unsigned voter registration
cards (Item 18).
Date:
The person must put the date the voter registration card was completed
and signed (Item 18).
What Happens if the VRC is not Filled Out Completely?
If the VRC does not have all the required information, but the voter provided their
telephone number, the elections official will call the person to collect the missing
information. If the telephone number is not provided or cannot be read, the elections
office will try to contact the person at their address to get the missing information.
(Elections Code § 2153.)
12
If neither the telephone number nor the address is provided or readable, the VRC will
be rejected and the person will not be registered to vote.
Completing Each Section of the Card
Elections Code section 2150(a) specifies what information must be provided on a
registration card.
Items 1, 2 and 3: Name
The printed first name, middle name (or initial), and last name of the person registering
to vote must be provided. The title Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. is optional. Using a
spouse’s name (e.g., Mrs. John Jones) is not allowed.
Items 4 and 5: Address
The address where the person lives or considers their residence must be printed. The
address cannot be a post office box, a business address or a commercial mail
receiving business. A person might have more than one residence address, but can be
registered to vote at only one.
Be certain the person includes all of the information requested, including the apartment
not country
unit, or space number (if any), the California county (), and the zip code.
Item 6: No Street Address
A person does not need to have an address that includes a house number and street
name in order to register to vote. However, the person must provide a description of
the location that is clear enough for the elections official to establish that person’s right
to vote in a particular precinct so the proper election materials can be provided to them.
In this case, the person should indicate a description of the location of their residence,
using cross streets, landmarks, or other information to pinpoint as precisely as possible
where the person lives.
Items 7 and 8: Mailing Address
If a person receives mail at a different location than where they live, that address for
mailing should be provided.
Item 9: Date of Birth
Any citizen wishing to register to vote must be at least 18 years old by the date of the
next election in order to vote in that election.
Item 10: Place of Birth
The person should indicate the name of the state in the United States, United States
territory or the name of the foreign country where they were born.
13
Item 11: California Driver’s License or Identification Card Number or, if
None, Partial Social Security Number
A person must provide a driver’s license or state identification card number where it is
requested on the card. If a person does not have a driver’s license or state
identification card number, the person must provide the last four digits of their social
security number.
If county elections officials verify that the person does not have any of the above
numbers, a unique identification number will be assigned to the person.
County elections officials must verify all identification numbers provided for a person,
as well as the absence of a driver’s license or state identification number for those who
do not provide one. Additionally, if the last four digits of a social security number are
provided, the county elections officials must confirm those with the Social Security
Administration.
Conflicting information can delay processing of the application, such as when the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) indicates a different driver’s license number for
the person in question, or DMV indicates a driver’s license for a person when the
person has not provided one.
Items 12 and 13: Email Address and Telephone Number (Optional)
If a VRC has not been filled out completely, providing a telephone number and/or an
email address may allow a person to be properly and timely registered to vote.
California law requires county elections officials to attempt to contact a person to collect
required information that was not included on the VRC. However, as stated on the
VRC, providing a telephone number and/or an email address is optional for the voter.
Item 14: Political Party Preference
A voter can choose a preference with one of the following six qualified political parties
in California:
American Independent Party
Democratic Party
Green Party
Libertarian Party
Peace and Freedom Party
Republican Party
Choosing a preference with a political party ensures a person can vote for that party’s
candidates in a primary election in which each party selects its nominees.
A person registering to vote may also choose to indicate membership in an alternate
“political body” that is attempting to qualify as a political party in California.
14
Information regarding the qualified political parties and political bodies attempting to
qualify may be obtained by calling or writing the chairperson for each party/body. For
contact information, please refer to the Secretary of State’s website at
www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_parties.htm.
A person may decline to choose a political party preference by marking the “No, I do not
want to choose a political party preference” box within Item 14 on the card. When a
person marks this box, the person will be registered as a “No Party Preference” voter
and may not be able to vote for some parties’ candidates at a primary election for U.S.
President or party committee. In a primary election for U.S. President or party
committee, No Party Preference voters may be able to take part by requesting a ballot
from their county elections official, if authorized by a political party's rules. For a current
listing of participating political parties, please refer to the Secretary of State’s website at
www.sos.ca.gov/elections/no-party-preference.htmor call (800) 345-VOTE (8683). If a
No Party Preference voter does not request such a ballot, the voter will be given a
nonpartisan ballot, containing only the names of candidates for local offices and
measures, if any, to be voted upon at the primary presidential election.
In a general presidential election, No Party Preference voters may vote for any
candidate on the ballot, regardless of the party of the candidate or the party preference
of the voters.
If a voter declines to choose a political party preference or if a voter chooses a
preference with a political body attempting to qualify they will officially be registered as
a No Party Preference voter.
Item 15: Permanent Vote-By-Mail Voter
This provides a person the opportunity to become a permanent vote-by-mail voter and
automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot for each election.
Item 16: Previous Registration
Often when a person moves, they will re-register to vote at the new address without
canceling their old registration. Filling out this portion of the card will automatically
trigger the cancellation of an out-of-date and/or incorrect voter registration. If a person
has been registered to vote several times previously, the most recent registration
information should be given.
If a person changes their name, they should indicate the new name in Items 1 and 2
and the former name in Item 16.
A person may also use this part of the VRC to choose a preference with a different
political party. To do so, the person should indicate in Item 14 with which political
party, if any, they now wish choose a preference with, and indicate their prior party
preference in Item 16.
The failure to complete this section may preclude a person from being able to re-
register to vote.
15
Items 17 and 18: Citizenship, Age, Declaration/Signature and Date
All registration cards must be signed by the person wishing to register to vote. When a
person signs a VRC, they are certifying, under penalty of perjury, that they are a citizen
of the United States, will be at least 18 years of age by the day of the next election, are
not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and that the information
provided on the VRC is true and correct. Each person should read and understand the
statement and warning on the card before signing it. A person who is unable to write
their name can sign the registration card with a mark or cross.
Each person registering to vote must date the card in the space immediately after the
signature. The date of execution is important, especially during periods close to
registration deadlines, in the event a postmark cannot be read or does not exist.
“Optional” Information Box
Counties use the Optional A, B, and C boxes to collect information about a voter’s need
for election materials printed in a language other than English, the availability to serve
as a poll worker, the ability to provide a polling place, and the voter’s ethnic
background.
“Did Someone Help You Fill Out or Deliver This Form?” (Green Box)
must
If any person helps a citizen complete a registration card, that person sign and
date the card below the signature of the person registering. (Elections Code §§ 2150,
2159.)
Additionally, any person who is paid to return the completed registration card must
write directly on the registration card: their full name, telephone number and address,
and the name and telephone number of the person or organization, if any, that is
paying money or other valuable consideration for the completed registration card.
(Elections Code § 2159.)
Serial Number (below Item 18)
A unique serial number is printed on every VRC. This same number is also printed on
the VRC receipt.
Voter’s Receipt (bottom of card)
There is a receipt stub at the bottom of the card that also has the serial number on it. If
a circulator takes a completed registration card to return it to the elections office, the
circulator must sign and date the receipt and provide their full name, telephone number,
address, and the name and telephone number of the person, company or organization,
if any, that agrees to pay money or other valuable consideration for the completed
VRC; this completed receipt must be given to the person. (Elections Code §§ 2150,
2159, 18108.) If there is a problem with the person’s registration as a voter, the person
can use the receipt as proof that they have completed a card and intended to register
to vote.
16
Chapter III
Penalties for Failing to Comply with Voter
Registration Requirements
Penalties for the Voter
There are many rights and responsibilities associated with registering to vote. A
misuse of those rights and responsibilities can result in criminal fines and penalties.
Perjury
A VRC is signed under penalty of perjury. Penal Code section 118(a) defines
perjury, in pertinent part, as follows:
Every person who, having taken an oath that he or she will testify, declare,
depose, or certify truly before any competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any
of the cases in which the oath may by law of the State of California be
administered, willfully and contrary to the oath, states as true any material matter
which he or she knows to be false, and every person who testifies, declares,
deposes, or certifies under penalty of perjury in any of the cases in which the
testimony, declarations, depositions, or certification is permitted by law of the
State of California under penalty of perjury and willfully states as true any
material matter which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of perjury.
False statements on a VRC about a voter’s name and place of birth are deemed
willful and constitute perjury. (People vs. Darcy (1943) 59 Cal.App.2d 342, 348-
349.)
Perjury is punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to four years. (Penal
Code § 126.)
Registration of a Person Not Entitled to Register
Any person who allows themselves or any other person to be registered as a voter,
knowing that they or any other person is not entitled to registration may be
imprisoned in state prison for up to three years, or in county jail for up to one year.
(Elections Code § 18100.)
Fraudulent Voting
Any person who is not entitled to vote at any election (including people who are
illegally registered) who votes or attempts to vote, or who tries to vote more than
once, may be imprisoned in state prison for up to three years, or in county jail for up
to one year. (Elections Code § 18560.)
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Imposition of a Fine in Addition to Imprisonment
Upon a conviction for any crime punishable by imprisonment in any jail or prison,
when a fine is not set forth, the court may impose a fine on the offender not
exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) in cases of misdemeanors or ten
thousand dollars ($10,000) in cases of felonies. This is in addition to the
imprisonment prescribed. (Elections Code § 18001.)
Penalties for the Person Registering Voters
There are also penalties associated with violating laws pertaining to the registration
of voters.
Registration of a Person Not Entitled to Vote
Anyone who knowingly registers to vote people who are not citizens, are not of
voting age, are in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony, or in any other
way are not entitled to register, is guilty of a crime. This crime is punishable by
imprisonment in state prison for up to three years, or in county jail for up to one
year. (Elections Code § 18100.)
Registration of a Nonexistent Person
Anyone who tries to register a nonexistent person (the definition includes deceased
persons, animals, and inanimate objects) to vote is guilty of a crime. This crime is
punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to three years, or in county jail for
up to one year. (Elections Code § 18100.)
Registration of a Person without Their Consent or Registration of a
Fictitious Person
Anyone who tries to register or re-register a fictitious person or any person, who has
not requested registration or re-registration as a voter, is guilty of a crime.This
crime is punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to three years, or in
county jail for up to one year. (Elections Code § 18101.)
Interference With Transfer of VRC to County Elections Official
Any person who registers a voter and is entrusted by that voter with the
responsibility of returning that voter’s registration card to the appropriate elections
official must return the card within three days, not including Saturdays, Sundays,
and state holidays, of receipt from the voter or before the close of registration,
whichever is earlier.
A voter is also free to return their own VRC to the county elections official, even
when they received the card from a person involved with a registration drive.
18
Anyone who interferes with the prompt transfer of a completed registration card to
the county elections official; retains a completed registration card for more than
three business days or after the close of registration; or denies a voter the right to
return to the county elections official the voter’s own completed registration card, is
guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to one thousand dollars
($1,000). (Elections Code § 18103.)
Alteration of Party Preference
Anyone who tampers with a voter’s choice of political party preference contained in
a VRC is guilty of a crime. The punishment is imprisonment in state prison for up to
three years, or in county jail for up to one year. (Elections Code § 18106.)
Mailing VRCs
Anyone who mails a VRC to a person who does not request one must include a
cover letter or other notice instructing the recipient to disregard the card if the
person is already registered. Failure to include a cover letter or other notice will
subject the mailer to a fine of up to two hundred dollars ($200). (Elections Code §§
2158, 18107.)
Failure To Provide a Voter Registration Receipt
Anyone who helps a citizen register to vote and fails to complete and provide to that
citizen the receipt portion of the voter registration card is subject to a fine of up to
two hundred dollars ($200). (Elections Code §§ 2158, 18107.)
Failure to Complete the Green Box (“Did Someone Help You Fill
Out or Deliver This Form?”) on the VRC
Any person who, in exchange for money or other valuable consideration, helps a
citizen register to vote by receiving the completed VRC from the citizen, must sign
and date the VRC and provide their full name, telephone number, address, and the
name and telephone number of the person, company or organization, if any, that
agrees to pay money or other valuable consideration for the completed VRC.
Anyone who fails to complete the green box is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Elections
Code §§ 2150, 2159, 18108.)
See Chapter I, Paying People to Help Citizens Register to Vote, page 2 and
Election Code section 2159.5 for the duties of the drive organizers and Elections
Code section 18108.5 for penalties associated with any breach of the duties of the
drive organizers.
Failure To Give a VRC to a Person Requesting One
Anyone who distributes VRCs must provide a VRC to anyone requesting one.
(Elections Code § 2158.) Anyone who violates this law is guilty of an infraction
punishable by a fine of up to two hundred dollars ($200). (Elections Code § 18107.)
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Any person requesting 50 or more registration cards must sign a statement, under
penalty of perjury, that reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that people
distributing such cards to potential registrants will give a VRC to any person
requesting one for the purpose of registering to vote. (California Code of
Regulations, title 2, § 20001(g)(1).)
Voter Registration Lotteries, Prizes, Contests
Privately sponsored contests to promote voter registration are outlawed under 42
U.S.C. 1973i(c), which is part of the Federal Voting Rights Act.
You may not offer food, prizes, discounts, or any other form of compensation to
encourage voter registration or to encourage people to vote in elections in which
there is a candidate for federal office on the ballot (e.g., President, U.S. Senate,
U.S. Representative).
Subornation of Perjury
Every person who has another person commit perjury is guilty of subornation of
perjury, and is punishable in the same manner as they would be if personally guilty
of the perjury. (Penal Code § 127.)
If an individual knowingly helps an ineligible person register to vote, they are also
punishable for perjury and could be charged with this crime. (Penal Code § 126.)
Printed Statements on VRC
It is a crime for a person, other than the voter, to write on a VRC any statement
supporting or opposing any candidate or measure. Any person, other than the
voter, who writes such a statement is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Elections Code §
18105.)
Misrepresenting Information on Circulator Section of VRC
Anyone who misrepresents themselves as having registered another person to vote
is guilty of a misdemeanor. This crime is punishable by a fine of up to one thousand
dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in county jail for up to six months or by both the
fine and imprisonment. However, upon a third or subsequent conviction of this
crime, a person shall punished by a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000), by
imprisonment in county jail for up to one year or by both the fine and imprisonment.
(Elections Code §§ 2159, 18108.1.)
Disclosing Driver’s License Number, Identification Card Number or
Social Security Card Number
If a person or an organization in charge of the voter registration drive discloses a
driver’s license number, identification card number and/or social security number
from a voter registration card to someone other than an elections official or the
20
person or organization in charge of the voter registration drive, that person is guilty
of an infraction. The infraction is punishable by a fine for up to five hundred dollars
($500). (Elections Code §§ 2138.5, 18111.)
Imposition of a Fine in Addition to Imprisonment
Upon a conviction for any crime punishable by imprisonment in any jail or prison,
when a fine is not set forth, the court may impose a fine on the offender for up to
one thousand dollars ($1,000) in cases of misdemeanors or ten thousand dollars
($10,000) in cases of felonies. This is in addition to the imprisonment prescribed.
(Elections Code § 18001.)
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APPENDIX A
Voter Registration Card
Statement of Distribution
Voter Registration Card
Statement of Distribution
(Office Use Only)
General Information
I.
Name: Date:
Name of Organization:
No P O Box
Street Address ():
City:State:Zip:
Telephone: ( ) Fax: ( )
Number of Cards Requested: Language:
Proposed Method of Distribution (Check)
II.
Fixed Location Mail (Blanket) Petition
Door-to-Door Mail (Targeted)
Other
Briefly explain your distribution plan (where will forms be distributed, by whom will they be distributed, etc.).
Declaration
III.
I declare under penalty of perjury that I have read and understand the legal requirements on the reverse side of this form and that I will
take reasonable steps to ensure that:
1)The person or persons distributing registration cards will give a registration card to any elector requesting one; and
2)The voter registration cards issued will not be defaced or changed in any way, other than by the insertion of a mailing address and
the affixing of postage; and
3)Prior to distribution, the affidavit portion of the registration cards will not be marked, stamped, or partially or fully completed by
anyone other than an elector or by another person assisting the elector; and
4)Persons entrusted with distribution or subsequent collection of completed forms, will be fully advised of the legal requirements
outlined on the reverse side of this statement.
Signature: Date:
(Important: See Legal Requirements on reverse side of this Statement)
(Office Use Only)
Serial Numbers:
Fax This Completed Form To: (916) 653-3214
A-1
Legal Requirements
- Important -
The following requirements must be complied with by all persons and/or organizations to whom registration
cards are issued. Non-compliance may result in referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Receipt – A person who assumes responsibility for returning another person’s completed registration
card to the elections official, must complete the green box section of the Voter Registration Card by
signing, dating and listing their name, address and telephone number on the card itself and on the receipt
portion of the card. (Elections Code § 2158.)
Return of Cards – Persons distributing voter registration cards must return all completed cards in their
possession within three working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. Retaining
completed cards for more than three days, or denying the voter’s right to return his or her completed
card is a misdemeanor. All blank cards must be returned to the elections official immediately after the
th
15 day preceding a statewide primary or general election, and whenever instructed to do so by the
elections official. (Election Code §§ 2138, 2139, 18103.)
Unsolicited Mailing – Any mailing of a registration card to a person who did not request one must be
accompanied by a cover letter or other notice with each card, instructing the recipient to disregard the
card if he or she is currently registered to vote. (Elections Code § 2158.)
Note: Organizations receiving completed cards for delivery to the elections official must ensure that all cards
completed in whole or in part by prospective registrants are promptly forwarded to the elections official. This
includes cards containing irregularities or minimal information, i.e. a name and address.
The elections officials, not the organization distributing or receiving cards, will determine the validity of the
registration.
A-2
APPENDIX B
Sample Statement of Circulator’s
Responsibilities and Liabilities
Statement of Circulator’s Responsibilities and Liabilities
(Elections Code § 2159.5(a))
By signing this statement, I acknowledge that I am being paid to register voters in compliance
with the California Elections Code and that I have received a copy of this statement.
Specifically, I understand and acknowledge:
I am required to return any completed voter registration cards I receive to the voter’s
county elections official or to mail the cards within three days of their receipt, excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. (Elections Code § 2138.)
On the day of close of registration for any election, I will immediately return all completed
affidavits of registration in my possession to the voter’s county elections official.
(Elections Code § 2139.)
For every voter that I help register, I will identify myself in the circulator section of the
voter registration card by writing my full name, address, telephone number, date, my
signature, and the name and phone number of the party that pays me, and will give the
receipt to the voter. (Elections Code §§ 2150, 2158(b)(1), 2159.)
I am required to provide a registration card to anyone who requests one. (Elections
Code § 2158(b)(2).)
If I mail voter registration cards to people who have not requested them, I will include a
cover letter with the card instructing recipients to disregard the card if they are currently
registered to vote. (Elections Code § 2158(b)(3).)
Voter registration fraud is serious and could be prosecuted as a felony. I further
acknowledge that I may be prosecuted for any of the following offenses:
1) Registration of a person that I know to be ineligible to register to vote or
registration of a fictitious or non-existent person. (Elections Code §§18100-
18102.)
2) Interference with the prompt transfer to the county elections official of, or the
retention of, a completed voter registration card without the voter’s consent for
more than three days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or state holidays.
(Elections Code § 18103.)
3) Denial of the voter’s right to return his or her own voter registration card to his or
her county elections official. (Elections Code § 18103.)
4) Writing or affixing to a voter registration card any statement urging or indicating
support or opposition to any candidate or measure. (Elections Code § 18105.)
5) Alteration of a voter’s party preference declaration contained in an executed, or
partially executed, voter registration card. (Elections Code § 18106.)
6) Failure to complete the receipt on the voter registration card and provide it to the
voter; failure to provide a voter registration card to anyone who requests it; and
failure to include a cover letter when mailing voter registration cards to people
who have not requested them. (Elections Code §§ 2158, 18107.)
B-1
7) Failure to identify myself in the circulator section of the voter registration card by
writing my full name, address, telephone number, date, my signature, and the
name and phone number of the party that pays me. (Elections Code § 18108.)
8) Misrepresenting that I helped a voter register by writing my information in the
circulator section of the voter registration card, knowing it to be false. (Elections
Code § 18108.1.)
9) Failure to acknowledge receipt of this written statement of rights and
responsibilities. (Elections Code § 18108.5.)
10) Knowingly disclose a driver’s license number, identification card number and/or
social security number from a citizen’s voter registration card to someone other
than an elections official or the person or organization in charge of the voter
registration drive. (Elections Code §§ 2138.5, 18111.)
________________________
Date Date
______________________________________________________________
Signature of Employee Voter Registration Drive Representative
_______________________________
Print Name
______________________________
Address
_______________________________
Telephone
B-2
APPENDIX C
Possible Voter
Registration Fraud Indicators
Possible Voter Registration Fraud Indicators
As a registration drive organizer, you should be mindful of fraudulent voter registration
issues. The following list sets forth a number of different areas where fraud could be
present; however, any observations of problems or inconsistency in these areas do not
conclusively indicate the presence of fraud.
Address
Incomplete addresses, missing apartment numbers, common misspellings, zip code
mismatches, and the frequent occurrence of temporary housing addresses (shelters,
missions, halfway houses).
Date of Birth
thst
Month and day are out of range (e.g. February 29 in a non-leap year, June 31).
California Driver’s License or State Identification Card Number
The California driver’s license or state identification card number will always be a
letter followed by 7 numbers. The letters I, L, Q, T and X were never used in the
issuance of numbers on California identification cards or driver’s licenses.
Social Security Number
The valid range for the last four digits of a social security number is 0001- 9999. A
social security number with four successive zeros is invalid.
Telephone Number
If the phone number is disconnected, the wrong party, or a fax line.
Political Party Preference
If the political party preference has been crossed out, erased, changed, or
completed with a different pen.
Previous Registration
If circulators submit large groups of cards that do not contain previous registration
information.
Assisting Circulator Section
Cards missing any part of the circulator’s full name, address, telephone number,
signature, or the name and phone number of the paying party is out of compliance
with Elections Code section 2159.
C-1
APPENDIX D
Voter Registration –
Frequently Asked Questions
Voter Registration –
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to register to vote?
Anyone can register to vote if they are:
A United States citizen,
A resident of California,
18 years of age or older on Election Day,
Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction, and
Not found by a court to be mentally incompetent.
Must a person provide identification when registering to vote?
Yes. When registering or re-registering to vote, the voter must provide a
California driver’s license or state ID number, if they have one, in the fields
provided on the voter registration card.
If the voter does not have a California driver’s license or state ID number, they
must provide the last four numbers of their social security number in the field
provided.
If the voter does not have a California driver’s license, a state ID card or a social
security number, the voter can still register. The county elections official will
assign a unique identification number to the voter.
Item 16 of the voter registration card must be completed if the voter has been
previously registered to vote.
When is the last day to register to vote for an election?
A person must submit a completed and signed voter registration card to their county
elections office no less than 15 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that
election.
Can inmates register and vote?
A person who is convicted of a felony loses the right to register and vote during the
term of the prison sentence and the parole period. Once the parole period is
completed, the person’s eligibility to register and vote is restored. For more
information on the rights of people who have been incarcerated, please see the
D-1
Secretary of State’s Voting Guide for Inmates atwww.sos.ca.gov/elections/sharing-
ideas/a-voting-guide-for-inmates.pdf.
When must a voter re-register to vote?
A voter must re-register to vote:
Whenever there is a change in residence address. However, if a voter moved
into a temporary residence that they do not intend to be their permanent
residence, they can continue to use their prior residence where they were
previously registered to vote as the address for the purpose of voting.
Tochange their political party preference.
Tochange their surname.
Upon re-registration, Item 16 of the voter registration card must be completed with
the voter’s previous registration information.
If a voter just moved within their county, do they need to re-register to
vote?
If a voter moved to a new address within the same county, they can either re-register
to vote or they can update their registration with a written notice to their county
elections official.
If a voter did not vote in the last election do they need to re-register?
No. In general, a voter is registered for as long as the voter lives at the same
address. However, if a voter has not voted in the last several elections, they may be
sent a request to confirm that they have not moved.
If a person does not vote in a primary election, will they be able to
vote in the following general election?
Yes.
If a voter is away at school, what address (college or parents’) can
they use?
A voter may use whichever address they consider to be their domicile, but not both.
If a person is on parole for a felony, can they register to vote?
No. The person can register to vote when their parole period is completed.
D-2
If a wife’s husband is out of town but he needs to register, may the
wife register him?
No. He must sign the card himself, under penalty of perjury. He can complete the
voter registration card and mail it from wherever he is. He may also download a
registration card via the Internet at the Secretary of State’s website at
www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm.
If a voter registers to vote can the voter be called for jury duty?
Jury duty lists are compiled from a variety of sources, including the Department of
Motor Vehicles records and the voter registration file.
D-3