ARTICLE 2. Vacancies [1770. - 1782.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 2.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1770. Section 1770.

An office becomes vacant on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term: (a) The death of the incumbent. (b) An adjudication pursuant to a quo warranto proceeding declaring that the incumbent is physically or mentally incapacitated due to disease, illness, or accident, and that there is reasonable cause to believe that the incumbent will not be able to perform the duties of his or her office for the remainder of his or her term. This subdivision shall not apply to offices created by the California Constitution nor to federal or state legislators. (c) (1) His or her resignation, except as provided in paragraph (2). (2) In the case of the office of city council member, upon the delivery of a letter of resignation by the resigning council member to the city clerk. The letter of resignation may specify a date on which the resignation will become effective. (d) His or her removal from office. (e) His or her ceasing to be an inhabitant of the state, or if the office be local and one for which local residence is required by law, of the district, county, or city for which the officer was chosen or appointed, or within which the duties of his or her office are required to be discharged. (f) His or her absence from the state without the permission required by law beyond the period allowed by law. (g) His or her ceasing to discharge the duties of his or her office for the period of three consecutive months, except when prevented by sickness, or when absent from the state with the permission required by law. (h) His or her conviction of a felony or of any offense involving a violation of his or her official duties. An officer shall be deemed to have been convicted under this subdivision when trial court judgment is entered. For purposes of this subdivision, “trial court judgment” means a judgment by the trial court either sentencing the officer or otherwise upholding and implementing the plea, verdict, or finding. (i) His or her refusal or neglect to file his or her required oath or bond within the time prescribed. (j) The decision of a competent tribunal declaring void his or her election or appointment. (k) The making of an order vacating his or her office or declaring the office vacant when the officer fails to furnish an additional or supplemental bond. (l) His or her commitment to a hospital or sanitarium by a court of competent jurisdiction as a drug addict, dipsomaniac, inebriate, or stimulant addict; but in that event the office shall not be deemed vacant until the order of commitment has become final. (m) (1) The incumbent is listed in the Excluded Parties List System and all of the following subparagraphs apply: (A) The office is one that the incumbent holds ex officio, by virtue of holding another office, or as an appointee. (B) The appointed or ex officio office is on the governing board of a local agency that is, or may reasonably be expected to be, a participant or principal in a covered transaction, pursuant to federal law. (C) A federal agency head or designee has not granted the incumbent an exception, in writing, permitting the incumbent to participate in a particular covered transaction in which the local agency is, or may reasonably be expected to be, a participant or principal. (2) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings: (A) “Excluded Parties List System” means the list maintained and disseminated by the federal General Services Administration containing names of, and other information about, persons who are debarred, suspended, disqualified, or otherwise excluded from participating in a covered transaction, pursuant to federal law. (B) “Local agency” includes, but is not limited to, a county, whether general law or chartered, city, whether general law or chartered, city and county, school district, municipal corporation, district, political subdivision, or any board, commission, or agency of one of these entities. (C) “Federal law” includes, but is not limited to, federal regulations adopted pursuant to Section 2455 of Public Law 103-355 (108 Stat. 3327), Executive Order No. 11738, Executive Order No. 12549, and Executive Order No. 12689. (3) This subdivision shall not apply to an elective office.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1770.1. Section 1770.1.

The disqualification from holding office upon conviction, as provided in Section 1021, or the forfeiture of office upon conviction, as provided in subdivision (h) of Section 1770 and Section 3000, is neither stayed by the initiation of an appeal from the conviction, nor set aside by the successful prosecuting of an appeal from the conviction by the person suffering the conviction.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1770.2. Section 1770.2.

Upon the entry of a plea of guilty, the entry of a plea of nolo contendere, or the rendering of a verdict of a guilty either by a jury or by the court sitting without a jury of a public offense, the conviction of which would invoke the provisions of Section 1021, subdivision (h) of Section 1770, or Section 3000, the person found guilty shall not assume the office for which the person is otherwise qualified or shall be suspended immediately from the office the person then holds. During the time of inability to assume an office or of suspension from office, the person shall not be entitled to receive the emoluments of the office, including, but not limited to, the exercise of the powers of the office, the rights to be seated in the office, and the compensation, including benefits, prescribed for the office. In the event the trial court sets aside or otherwise nullifies the plea or verdict before the trial court judgment is entered, the inability to assume office or the suspension from holding office shall be lifted, and the person suspended from office shall be restored to office with its emoluments, including those that would have otherwise accrued during the suspension, excluding, however, interest on any monetary payment.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1771. Section 1771.

(a) When an officer is removed, declared insane, or convicted of a felony or offense involving a violation of his or her official duty, or when his or her election or appointment is declared void, the body or person before whom the proceedings are had shall give notice thereof to the officer or body empowered to fill the vacancy. (b) When an office becomes vacant pursuant to subdivision (m) of Section 1770, the local agency on which the vacancy occurs shall give notice of that vacancy to the officer or body authorized to fill the vacancy.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1772. Section 1772.

When any office becomes vacant and no mode is provided by law for filling the vacancy, the Governor shall fill the vacancy by granting a commission, to expire at the end of the next session of the Legislature or at the next election by the people.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1773. Section 1773.

When a vacancy occurs in the office of Representative to Congress, or in either house of the Legislature, the Governor shall within 14 calendar days after the occurrence of the vacancy issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy; provided, that when such vacancy occurs in a congressional office after the close of the nomination period in the final year of the term of office, a special election may be held, at the Governor’s discretion; and provided, further, that when a vacancy occurs in a legislative office after the close of the nomination period in the final year of the term of office, no special election shall be held. The Governor shall issue the election proclamation under his hand and the Great Seal of the state, and transmit copies to the board of supervisors of the counties in which the election is to be held.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1773.5. Section 1773.5.

In addition to any other applicable provision of law, a vacancy occurs in the office of Representative in Congress in the event of his or her disappearance, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 10731 of the Elections Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1774. Section 1774.

(a) When an office, the appointment to which is vested in the Governor and Senate, either becomes vacant or the term of the incumbent thereof expires, the Governor may appoint a person to the office or reappoint the incumbent after the expiration of the term. Until Senate confirmation of the person appointed or reappointed, that person serves at the pleasure of the Governor. If the term of office of an incumbent subject to this section expires, the Governor shall have 60 days after the expiration date to reappoint the incumbent. If the incumbent is not reappointed within the 60-day period, the office shall be deemed to be vacant as of the first day following the end of the 60-day period. (b) With respect to the appointment or reappointment by the Governor of a person to an office subject to confirmation by the Senate, the Governor shall submit the name of the person appointed, or the name of the incumbent reappointed, and the effective date of the appointment or reappointment to the Senate or, if the Senate is in recess or has adjourned, to the Secretary of the Senate, within 60 days after the person first began performing the duties of the office, or, as to the reappointment of an incumbent, within 90 days after the expiration date of the term. If the Governor does not provide the required notification within 60 days after the person first began performing the duties of the office, or, as to the reappointment of an incumbent to an office after the expiration date of the term, within 90 days after the expiration of the term, the office shall be deemed to be vacant as of the first day immediately following the end of the applicable period. (c) If the Senate either refuses to confirm, or fails to confirm within 365 days after the day the person first began performing the duties of the office, or, with respect to an incumbent whose appointment to that office previously had been confirmed by the Senate and who is reappointed to that office, within 365 days after the expiration date of the term, the following shall apply: (1) If the Senate refuses to confirm, the person may continue to serve in that office until 60 days have elapsed since the refusal to confirm or until 365 days have elapsed since the person first began performing the duties of the office, whichever occurs first, or with respect to an incumbent whose appointment to that office previously had been confirmed by the Senate and who is reappointed to that office, until 60 days have elapsed since refusal or until 365 days after the expiration date of the prior term, and the office for which the appointment was made shall be deemed to be vacant as of the first day immediately following the end of the applicable period. (2) If the Senate fails to confirm within the applicable 365-day period, the person may not continue to serve in that office, and the office for which the appointment was made shall be deemed to be vacant as of the first day immediately following the end of the 365-day period.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1774.1. Section 1774.1.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the appointment by the Governor of a person to a public office is subject to confirmation by the Senate, and the Senate confirms the appointment within the applicable period described in Section 1774, and the term of office is at the pleasure of the Governor, such confirmation shall be deemed the last act necessary for appointment and the Governor shall not be required to issue another commission to complete the act of appointment.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1774.2. Section 1774.2.

(a) For any person whose term of office expires prior to Senate confirmation and who is reappointed to that office, the time served prior to, as well as subsequent to, the expiration date of the prior term shall be counted for purposes of Section 1774. (b) For any person who resigns an office prior to Senate confirmation and who is reappointed to that office at any time within 365 days of the resignation, the time served prior to, as well as subsequent to, the resignation shall be counted for purposes of Section 1774. (c) The subsequent appointment of a person to an office 365 days or more after the date the person last served in that office shall be considered a new appointment, and not a reappointment, for purposes of Section 1774.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1774.3. Section 1774.3.

With respect to any body or entity having more than one member, including, but not limited to, a board, commission, or committee, “office” includes every position on the body or entity, regardless of qualifications, expiration date of the term, or duties and responsibilities of the position.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1774.5. Section 1774.5.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person holding an office which is deemed to be vacant pursuant to Section 1774 may, after the time the office has been deemed to be vacant pursuant to those provisions, continue to discharge the duties of the office, and no warrant shall be drawn by the Controller for the payment of any salary or expenses of that person attributable to the discharge of the duties of the office after that time. In addition, the Governor shall not reappoint the person to the same office for a period of 365 days after the time the office has been deemed to be vacant.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1774.7. Section 1774.7.

(a) Sections 1774, 1774.2, 1774.3, and 1774.5 shall apply to any person appointed, or reappointed, prior to, or on or after, January 1, 1981, except as follows: (1) With respect to any person appointed prior to January 1, 1981, the 365-day period specified in Section 1774 shall not commence to run until January 1, 1981. (2) With respect to the term of office of an incumbent which expires during the period from the first Monday after January 1 of the year a newly elected Governor takes office for the first time, until January 31 of that year, inclusive, the 60-day period specified in subdivision (a) of Section 1774 and the 90-day period specified in subdivision (b) of Section 1774 shall not commence to run until February 1 of that year. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that Sections 1774, 1774.2, 1774.3, and 1774.5 shall prevail over any contrary special or general provision of this code, any other code, or any uncodified statute of this state. These sections shall be construed as superseded by another statute only if that statute specifically provides that these sections shall not apply and expressly refers to the numbers of the sections superseded.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1775. Section 1775.

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, or Attorney General, or on the State Board of Equalization, the Governor shall nominate a person to fill the vacancy who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority of the membership of the Senate and a majority of the membership of the Assembly and who shall hold office for the balance of the unexpired term. In the event the nominee is neither confirmed nor refused confirmation by both the Senate and the Assembly within 90 days of the submission of the nomination, the nominee shall take office as if he or she had been confirmed by a majority of the Senate and Assembly; provided, that if such 90-day period ends during a recess of the Legislature, the period shall be extended until the sixth day following the day on which the Legislature reconvenes. After a vacancy has occurred in an office specified in this section and prior to the time such vacancy is filled as provided in this section, the chief deputy to the above constitutional officers shall discharge the duties of the office.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1776. Section 1776.

Except as otherwise provided in the Constitution, when a person is appointed by the Governor, or by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, either to fill a vacancy in any office or to fill an office when the appointment is not made until after the expiration of the preceding term, the appointee holds office only for the balance of the unexpired term as provided by the law creating the office.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1777. Section 1777.

After filing his official oath and bond, any person elected or appointed to fill a vacancy possesses all the rights and powers and is subject to all the liabilities, duties, and obligations of the officer whose vacancy he fills.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1778. Section 1778.

A vacancy in any appointive office on the governing board of a special district shall be filled by appointment by the board of supervisors of the county in which the larger portion of the district is located unless, by the terms of the act under which the district is formed, another method of appointment is expressly provided.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1779. Section 1779.

A vacancy on any appointed governing board of a special district shall be filled by the appointing authority within 90 days immediately subsequent to its occurrence. If no action is taken for a period of 90 days immediately subsequent to a vacancy on such a board, the board of supervisors of the county in which the larger portion of the district is located shall have authority to fill the vacancy by appointment.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1780. Section 1780.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a vacancy in any elective office on the governing board of a special district, other than those specified in Section 1781, shall be filled pursuant to this section. (b) The district shall notify the county elections official of the vacancy no later than 15 days after either the date on which the district board is notified of the vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later. (c) The remaining members of the district board may fill the vacancy either by appointment pursuant to subdivision (d) or by calling an election pursuant to subdivision (e). (d) (1) The remaining members of the district board shall make the appointment pursuant to this subdivision within 60 days after either the date on which the district board is notified of the vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later. The district shall post a notice of the vacancy in three or more conspicuous places in the district at least 15 days before the district board makes the appointment. The district shall notify the county elections official of the appointment no later than 15 days after the appointment. (2) If the vacancy occurs in the first half of a term of office and at least 130 days prior to the next general district election, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold office until the next general district election that is scheduled 130 or more days after the date the district board is notified of the vacancy, and thereafter until the person who is elected at that election to fill the vacancy has been qualified. The person elected to fill the vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired balance of the term of office. (3) If the vacancy occurs in the first half of a term of office, but less than 130 days prior to the next general district election, or if the vacancy occurs in the second half of a term of office, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall fill the balance of the unexpired term of office. (e) (1) In lieu of making an appointment the remaining members of the board may within 60 days of the date the district board is notified of the vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later, call an election to fill the vacancy. (2) The election called pursuant to this subdivision shall be held on the next established election date provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 1 of the Elections Code that is 130 or more days after the date the district board calls the election. (f) (1) If the vacancy is not filled by the district board by appointment, or if the district board has not called for an election within 60 days of the date the district board is notified of the vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later, then the city council of the city in which the district is wholly located, or if the district is not wholly located within a city, the board of supervisors of the county representing the larger portion of the district area in which the election to fill the vacancy will be held, may appoint a person to fill the vacancy within 90 days of the date the district board is notified of the vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later, or the city council or board of supervisors may order the district to call an election to fill the vacancy. (2) The election called pursuant to this subdivision shall be held on the next established election date provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 1 of the Elections Code that is 130 or more days after the date the city council or board of supervisors calls the election. (g) (1) If within 90 days of the date the district board is notified of the vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later, the remaining members of the district board or the appropriate board of supervisors or city council have not filled the vacancy and no election has been called for, then the district board shall call an election to fill the vacancy. (2) The election called pursuant to this subdivision shall be held on the next established election date provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 1 of the Elections Code that is 130 or more days after the date the district board calls the election. (h) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if the number of remaining members of the district board falls below a quorum, then at the request of the district secretary or a remaining member of the district board, the appropriate board of supervisors or the city council shall promptly appoint a person to fill the vacancy, or may call an election to fill the vacancy. (2) The board of supervisors or the city council shall only fill enough vacancies by appointment or by election to provide the district board with a quorum. (3) If the vacancy occurs in the first half of a term of office and at least 130 days prior to the next general district election, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold the office until the next general district election that is scheduled 130 or more days after the date the district board is notified of the vacancy, and thereafter until the person who is elected at that election to fill the vacancy has been qualified. The person elected to fill the vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired balance of the term of office. (4) If the vacancy occurs in the first half of a term of office, but less than 130 days prior to the next general district election, or if the vacancy occurs in the second half of a term of office, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall fill the balance of the unexpired term of office. (5) The election called pursuant to this subdivision shall be held on the next established election date provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 1 of the Elections Code that is held 130 or more days after the date the city council or board of supervisors calls the election.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1781. Section 1781.

The provisions of Section 1780 shall not apply to a school district, a district organized pursuant to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11501) of the Public Utilities Code, or a district subject to the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 22825) of Part 5 of Division 11 of the Water Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 1782. Section 1782.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, whenever a vacancy occurs on a state board or commission, or a seat on a board or commission is abolished by statute, the board or commission shall notify the appropriate appointing authority of this occurrence and the appropriate appointing authority shall notify the person occupying the vacated or abolished seat that the person may no longer serve on the board or commission. Except as provided in Section 1774, the person occupying the vacated or abolished seat on the board or commission shall continue to serve until notified by the appropriate appointing authority.

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