CA AB 1853
enactedVoter information guide: candidate statements.
California · 2025-2026 Regular Session · lower
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Quick answers
Did CA AB 1853 pass?
Yes. CA AB 1853 has been enacted into law. Latest recorded action (2026-09-27): Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 554, Statutes of 2026.
What is CA AB 1853 about?
Under existing law, a candidate for the United States House of Representatives or local elective office may purchase space in the county voter information guide to make a candidate statement. A candidate for United States Senate may purchase space for a candidate statement in the state voter information guide. A candidate for state elective office may also purchase space to make a candidate statement in the state voter information guide, but only if the candidate accepts certain voluntary campaign expenditure limits. Existing law prohibits these candidate statements from making any reference to the candidate's opponents. This bill would limit a candidate statement to a recitation of the candidate's own education, professional experience, public service, community involvement, and qualifications. The bill would prohibit a candidate statement from including, in addition to references to other candidates, a link or other reference to external content other than the candidate's campaign website; content that is vulgar or profane, or that threatens or incites violence; false statements or misleading claims; or any other content that is unrelated to the candidate's qualifications. The candidate would be required to submit a declaration with the candidate statement that attests that the statement is true and correct. Because a person who willfully makes a false statement in that declaration would be guilty of the crime of perjury, this bill expands the scope of that crime and thereby creates a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to omit from the voter information guide any portion of a candidate statement that does not comply with the bill, except false statements and misleading claims, and it would require them to print the remainder of the statement if it can stand independently and does not mislead voters. The bill would make a fee paid by a candidate for the printing or inclusion of a candidate statement nonrefundable if any part of the statement is printed in the voter information guide, but the fee would be refunded if the statement is omitted. By increasing the duties of county elections officials, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. Existing law provides for the public examination of state and county voter information guides. During the 20-day examination period for the state guide, an elector may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted. During the 10-day examination period for the county guide, a voter of the relevant jurisdiction in which an election is being held, or the relevant local elections official themselves, may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted. A court will issue such a writ of mandate or injunction only upon clear and convincing proof that the material in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with law, and that issuance of the writ or injunction will not substantially interfere with the printing or distribution of official election materials as provided by law. This bill would similarly allow any registered voter to seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the material in a candidate statement in the state or a county voter information guide to be amended or deleted, as specified. This bill would require that, as in current law, the writ of mandate or an injunction only be issued upon clear and convincing proof that the material in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of the bill, and that issuance of the writ or injunction will not substantially interfere with the printing or distribution of official election materials as provided by law. This bill would additionally allow a county elections official to bring such an action for a writ or injunction challenging a candidate statement in the county voter information guide over which they have jurisdiction. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Who sponsors CA AB 1853?
Pellerin is the primary sponsor of CA AB 1853, joined by 15 cosponsors.
Description
Under existing law, a candidate for the United States House of Representatives or local elective office may purchase space in the county voter information guide to make a candidate statement. A candidate for United States Senate may purchase space for a candidate statement in the state voter information guide. A candidate for state elective office may also purchase space to make a candidate statement in the state voter information guide, but only if the candidate accepts certain voluntary campaign expenditure limits. Existing law prohibits these candidate statements from making any reference to the candidate's opponents. This bill would limit a candidate statement to a recitation of the candidate's own education, professional experience, public service, community involvement, and qualifications. The bill would prohibit a candidate statement from including, in addition to references to other candidates, a link or other reference to external content other than the candidate's campaign website; content that is vulgar or profane, or that threatens or incites violence; false statements or misleading claims; or any other content that is unrelated to the candidate's qualifications. The candidate would be required to submit a declaration with the candidate statement that attests that the statement is true and correct. Because a person who willfully makes a false statement in that declaration would be guilty of the crime of perjury, this bill expands the scope of that crime and thereby creates a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Secretary of State and county elections officials to omit from the voter information guide any portion of a candidate statement that does not comply with the bill, except false statements and misleading claims, and it would require them to print the remainder of the statement if it can stand independently and does not mislead voters. The bill would make a fee paid by a candidate for the printing or inclusion of a candidate statement nonrefundable if any part of the statement is printed in the voter information guide, but the fee would be refunded if the statement is omitted. By increasing the duties of county elections officials, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. Existing law provides for the public examination of state and county voter information guides. During the 20-day examination period for the state guide, an elector may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted. During the 10-day examination period for the county guide, a voter of the relevant jurisdiction in which an election is being held, or the relevant local elections official themselves, may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted. A court will issue such a writ of mandate or injunction only upon clear and convincing proof that the material in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with law, and that issuance of the writ or injunction will not substantially interfere with the printing or distribution of official election materials as provided by law. This bill would similarly allow any registered voter to seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the material in a candidate statement in the state or a county voter information guide to be amended or deleted, as specified. This bill would require that, as in current law, the writ of mandate or an injunction only be issued upon clear and convincing proof that the material in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of the bill, and that issuance of the writ or injunction will not substantially interfere with the printing or distribution of official election materials as provided by law. This bill would additionally allow a county elections official to bring such an action for a writ or injunction challenging a candidate statement in the county voter information guide over which they have jurisdiction. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
- Introduced
- 2026-06-08
- Latest action
- 2026-09-27 — Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 554, Statutes of 2026.
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Subjects
Sponsors
- Pellerinauthor
- Bermanauthor
- Addiscoauthor
- Ahrenscoauthor
- Bauer-Kahancoauthor
- Bryancoauthor
- Gabrielcoauthor
- Haneycoauthor
- Irwincoauthor
- Lowenthalcoauthor
- Blanca Rubiocoauthor
- Wardcoauthor
- Zburcoauthor
- Allencoauthor
- Beckercoauthor
- Wienercoauthor
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
Newest first
2026-09-27
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 554, Statutes of 2026.
became-law
2026-09-27
Approved by the Governor.
executive-signature
2026-09-10
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
executive-receipt
2026-08-30
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.
amendment-passage,committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2026-08-30
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 63. Noes 10.).
amendment-passage,committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2026-08-30
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 63. Noes 10. Page 6864.).
amendment-passage,committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2026-08-28
From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (August 28).
committee-passage
2026-08-26
Re-referred to Com. on ELECTIONS. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
referral-committee
2026-08-26
Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended.
2026-08-26
Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 6621.)
2026-08-25
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2026-08-25
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 31. Noes 0.).
passage,reading-1,reading-3
2026-08-24
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2026-08-21
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2026-08-17
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2026-08-13
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2
2026-08-13
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (August 13).
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage
2026-08-03
In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
referral-committee
2026-07-02
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2026-07-01
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 30).
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,referral-committee
2026-06-22
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2026-06-22
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
referral-committee
2026-06-16
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on RLS. (Ayes 3. Noes 1.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable,referral-committee
2026-06-08
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E. & C.A.
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2026-05-06
Referred to Com. on E. & C.A.
referral-committee
2026-04-09
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
reading-1,referral-committee
2026-04-09
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 0. Page 4556.)
passage,reading-1,reading-3
2026-03-26
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
reading-1,reading-2
2026-03-25
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 25).
committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2026-02-23
Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.
referral-committee
2026-02-12
From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
2026-02-11
Read first time. To print.
reading-1
Versions
- 02/11/26 - Introduced — 2026-02-11Compare
- 06/08/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-06-08Compare
- 06/22/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-06-22Compare
- 07/02/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-07-02Compare
- 08/13/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-08-13Compare
- 08/21/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-08-21Compare
- 09/03/26 - Enrolled — 2026-09-03Compare
- 09/27/26 - Chaptered — 2026-09-27Compare
- (document, no version)Compare
- AB1853Compare
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Votes
Do pass. To Consent Calendar.
2026-03-25 · pass · 8-0
Member-level votes (8)
- Solache: yes
- Stefani: yes
- Elhawary: yes
- Addis: yes
- Johnson: yes
- Gallagher: yes
- Pellerin: yes
- Berman: yes
AB 1853 Pellerin Consent Calendar Second Day
2026-04-09 · pass · 64-0
Member-level votes (80)
- Alanis: yes
- Fong: yes
- Rogers: yes
- Sharp-Collins: yes
- Johnson: yes
- Irwin: yes
- Nguyen: yes
- Connolly: yes
- Lowenthal: yes
- Rivas: yes
- Michelle Rodriguez: yes
- Schiavo: yes
- Gipson: yes
- Boerner: yes
- Hart: yes
- Davies: yes
- Dixon: yes
- Bains: yes
- Ellis: yes
- Papan: yes
- Lee: yes
- Caloza: yes
- Mark González: yes
- Sanchez: yes
- Castillo: yes
- Jackson: yes
- Stefani: yes
- DeMaio: yes
- Valencia: yes
- Krell: yes
- Patterson: yes
- Ramos: yes
- Soria: yes
- Wicks: yes
- Ta: yes
- Gabriel: yes
- Ahrens: yes
- McKinnor: yes
- Calderon: yes
- Chen: yes
- Garcia: yes
- Pellerin: yes
- Macedo: yes
- Quirk-Silva: yes
- Hadwick: yes
- Wilson: yes
- Blanca Rubio: yes
- Pacheco: yes
- Tangipa: yes
- Lackey: yes
- Alvarez: yes
- Berman: yes
- Patel: yes
- Petrie-Norris: yes
- Solache: yes
- Wallis: yes
- Elhawary: yes
- Muratsuchi: yes
- Ransom: yes
- Harabedian: yes
- Carrillo: yes
- Hoover: yes
- Aguiar-Curry: yes
- Ward: yes
- Bryan: other
- Schultz: other
- Bennett: other
- Ávila Farías: other
- Haney: other
- Gallagher: other
- Flora: other
- Kalra: other
- Bauer-Kahan: other
- Jeff Gonzalez: other
- Ortega: other
- Zbur: other
- Addis: other
- Celeste Rodriguez: other
- Arambula: other
- Bonta: other
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Rules]
2026-06-16 · pass · 3-1
Member-level votes (5)
- Allen: yes
- Wiener: yes
- Cervantes: yes
- Choi: no
- Umberg: other
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
2026-06-30 · pass · 11-0
Member-level votes (13)
- Wahab: yes
- Umberg: yes
- Laird: yes
- Stern: yes
- Ashby: yes
- Allen: yes
- Weber Pierson: yes
- Wiener: yes
- Caballero: yes
- Reyes: yes
- Durazo: yes
- Valladares: other
- Niello: other
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
Official source
Attribution
Data from openstates_api_sync, retrieved 2026-09-30T20:07:25.328060Z
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