Presidential elections: qualifications for office.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific penalties or enforcement details, leaving these aspects unclear.

Presidential Elections: Qualifications for Office

The bill requires representatives of each qualified political party, independent candidates, and write-in candidates to certify under penalty of perjury that their nominees meet the eligibility criteria set by the Twenty-Second Amendment before they can be listed on election ballots.

What This Bill Does

• Requires a representative from each qualified political party, independent candidate, or write-in candidate to sign a statement under penalty of perjury confirming their nominees for President and Vice President are eligible according to the Twenty-Second Amendment.
• Prohibits placing names of ineligible nominees on election ballots if the required certification is not submitted by specific deadlines.

Who It Names or Affects

• Representatives from qualified political parties
• Independent candidates and their representatives
• Write-in candidates and their representatives

Terms To Know

Twenty-Second Amendment

A part of the U.S. Constitution that stops someone from being elected President more than twice.

Perjury

The act of lying under oath, which is a serious crime.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify what happens if the certification deadline is missed for write-in candidates.
• Does not provide details on how penalties will be enforced or what they might include.

Official Summary Text

AB 1539, as amended, Addis.
Presidential elections: qualifications for office.
The Twenty-Second Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the election of any person to the office of the President more than twice. Under existing state law, each qualified political party is required to notify the Secretary of State of the names of the party’s nominees for President and Vice President on or before the 75th day before a presidential general election. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to cause the names of each party’s nominees for President and Vice President to be placed upon the ballot for the election.
This bill would require a representative of each qualified political party, and a representative of each independent presidential
candidate or write-in presidential
candidate, to certify to the
Secretary of State, under penalty of perjury, that their nominees for President and Vice President are both qualified to be elected President under the Twenty-Second Amendment. If that certification is not
made,
made by the 75th day before the general election for the candidate of each qualified political party and an independent candidate, or by the 14th day before the general election for a write-in candidate,
the bill would prohibit placing the names of those nominees for President and Vice President upon the ballot for the
ensuing general
election. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF