CHAPTER 5. Ballots [18400. - 18403.]

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC 5.

in effect

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 18400. Section 18400.

A person who makes, uses, keeps, or furnishes to others, paper or cards watermarked or overprinted in imitation of ballot paper or ballot cards is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months, two or three years, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 18401. Section 18401.

Every person who prints any ballot not in conformity with Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 13100) of Division 13, or who circulates or gives to another any ballot, knowing at the time that the ballot does not conform to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 13100) of Division 13, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 18403. Section 18403.

Any person other than an elections official or a member of the precinct board who receives a voted ballot from a voter or who examines or solicits the voter to show their voted ballot is punishable by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years, or in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. This section does not apply to persons returning a vote by mail ballot pursuant to Section 3017 or persons assisting a voter pursuant to Section 14282.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026