Article 5. Voter Registration Index of California Elections Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 5.

(a) At least once, and more often if he or she deems it necessary, within each two-year period commencing on the first day of January in each odd-numbered year, the county elections official shall have printed a complete index, by precinct, to the affidavits of registration current at the date of printing.
  (b) (1) The index shall contain the name, address, residence telephone number if furnished, and political affiliation of each voter, and also a ruled space to the left of each name, within which to write, in figures, the line number designating the position of the name of the voter on the roster of voters.
  (2) The name shall include the given name and the middle name or initials, if any. At the affiant's option, the given name may be preceded by the designation "Miss," "Ms.," "Mrs.," or "Mr."
  (c) The index shall be printed in a size no smaller than eight-point roman type on eight-point body and shall be arranged in alphabetical order in accordance with the surnames of the voters.
  (d) A space of not less than one-quarter inch or one line of printing shall be left between the names of voters beginning with one letter of the alphabet and those starting with the next letter of the alphabet.
  (e) Supplements of the same content and style may be printed as need for them appears.

In addition to printing a complete index within and for each two-year period, as provided in Section 2180, the county elections official may print and maintain one complete and continuing index, by precinct, to the affidavits of registration and keep the index current by supplements and deletions as provided in Sections 2180 and 2183, and by reprinting portions of the index by precinct, as the need appears, the reprinted portions to contain the same information concerning each voter and to be in the same style, spacing, and type of print as provided in Section 2180.

The number of copies of the precinct index printed shall be as many as in the judgment of the county elections official may be necessary for the business of the office. In counties where the precinct index is printed by means of a punched card or other high-speed data processing equipment, the number of copies of precinct indexes so prepared shall be the number required to be furnished by law and as many more as in the judgment of the county elections official may be necessary for the business of the office.

The elections official shall supply copies of the index and of supplements to the index, necessary to bring it up to date, for all elections to be held within the county. The county elections official shall also supply as many copies of the index and supplements, not to exceed four in number, as may be requested by the elections official of a city, school district or other body. The name of each voter whose affidavit of registration has been canceled shall be lined out of the index and supplement. The county elections official may charge an amount as will reimburse the county for the expense incurred in preparing and furnishing lined out indexes of registrations and supplements other than for those provided for by Sections 2180 and 2182. In the case of a municipal election, an index provided pursuant to this section shall be supplied to the city elections official not less than 25 days prior to the day of the election for which it is provided. If the index does not contain the names of all people eligible to vote in the election, the county elections official shall supply a supplement to the index, including all voters who registered after the 54th day before the election, not less than seven days prior to the election for which it is provided.

(a) The elections official shall supply an electronic copy, or paper copy upon request, of the index and of supplements to the index, necessary to bring it up to date, for all elections to be held within the county. The county elections official shall also supply copies of the index and supplements as may be requested by the elections official of a city, school district, or other body. The name of each voter whose affidavit of registration has been canceled shall be removed from the index and supplement. The county elections official may charge an amount sufficient to reimburse the county for the expense incurred in preparing and furnishing the indexes of registrations and supplements.
  (b) (1) The index shall contain the name, address, residence telephone number if furnished, and political party preference of each voter, and also a ruled space to the left of each name, within which to write, in figures, the line number designating the position of the name of the voter on the roster of voters.
  (2) The name shall include the given name and the middle name or initials, if any. At the affiant's option, the given name may be preceded by the designation "Miss," "Ms.," "Mrs.," or "Mr."

Upon demand of any Member of the Legislature, of Congress, or any candidate who is to be voted for in the county, in a city therein, or in a political subdivision of either, or upon written demand of his or her campaign committee, of any committee for or against any proposed ballot measure, or of any committee for or against any referendum or initiative measure for which legal publication has been made, the county elections official shall furnish to the Member of the Legislature, of Congress, or to either the candidate or his or her campaign committee or to the ballot measure committee no more than two copies of the printed indexes of the registration for the primary and general elections in which the Member of the Legislature or Congress may participate as a candidate, or for the election in which the candidate will participate, or the ballot measure will be voted upon, at a charge of fifty cents ($0.50) per thousand names. All moneys collected shall be deposited in the county treasury to the credit of the general fund.

Upon request of any Member of the Legislature, of Congress, or any candidate who is to be voted for in the county, in a city therein, or in a political subdivision of either, or upon written demand of his or her campaign committee, of any committee for or against any proposed ballot measure, or of any committee for or against any referendum or initiative measure for which legal publication has been made, the county elections official shall furnish to the Member of the Legislature, of Congress, or to either the candidate or his or her campaign committee or to the ballot measure committee the index of the registration for the primary and general elections in which the Member of the Legislature or Congress may participate as a candidate, or for the election in which the candidate will participate, or the ballot measure will be voted upon, at a charge of fifty cents ($0.50) per thousand names. All moneys collected shall be deposited in the county treasury to the credit of the general fund.

Upon written demand of the chair or vice chair of a party state central committee or of the chair of a party county central committee, the county elections official shall furnish to each committee, without charge therefor, the index of registration for the primary and general elections, for any special election at which a partisan office is to be filled, or for any statewide special election. The index of registration shall be furnished to the committee demanding the index not less than 25 days prior to the day of the primary, general, or special election for which they are provided. Upon written demand, the county elections official shall also furnish to the committee the index of registration of voters who registered after the 54th day before the election, which shall be compiled and prepared by Assembly districts. The county elections official shall furnish either two printed copies or, if available, one copy in an electronic form of the indexes specified in this section.

Upon written request of the chair or vice chair of a party state central committee or of the chair of a party county central committee, the county elections official shall furnish to each committee, without charge therefor, the index of registration for the primary and general elections, for any special election at which a partisan office is to be filled, or for any statewide special election. The county elections official shall furnish one copy per election in an electronic form, or in paper form upon request, of the indexes specified in this section.

(a) Each county elections official shall send to the Secretary of State, in a format described by the Secretary of State, a summary statement of the number of voters in the county. The statement shall show the total number of voters in the county, the number registered as affiliated with each qualified political party, the number registered in nonqualified parties, and the number who declined to state any party affiliation. The statement shall also show the number of voters, by political affiliations, in each city, supervisorial district, Assembly district, Senate district, and congressional district located in whole or in part within the county.
  (b) The Secretary of State, on the basis of the statements sent by the county elections officials and within 30 days after receiving those statements, shall compile a statewide list showing the number of voters, by party affiliations, in the state and in each county, city, supervisorial district, Assembly district, Senate district, and congressional district in the state. A copy of this list shall be made available, upon request, to any elector in this state.
  (c) Each county that uses data-processing equipment to store the information set forth in the affidavit of registration shall send to the Secretary of State one copy of the electronic data file with the information requested by the Secretary of State. Each county that does not use data-processing storage shall send to the Secretary of State one copy of the index setting forth that information.
  (d) The summary statements and the electronic data file copy or the index shall be sent at the following times:
  (1) On the 135th day before each presidential primary and before each direct primary, with respect to voters registered on the 154th day before the primary election.
  (2) Not less than 50 days prior to the primary election, with respect to voters registered on the 60th day before the primary election.
  (3) Not less than seven days prior to the primary election, with respect to voters registered before the 14th day prior to the primary election.
  (4) Not less than 102 days prior to each presidential general election, with respect to voters registered before the 123rd day before the presidential general election.
  (5) Not less than 50 days prior to the general election, with respect to voters registered on the 60th day before the general election.
  (6) Not less than seven days prior to the general election, with respect to voters registered before the 14th day prior to the general election.
  (7) On or before March 1 of each odd-numbered year, with respect to voters registered as of February 10.
  (e) The Secretary of State may adopt regulations prescribing the content and format of the electronic data file or index referred to in subdivision (c) that contains the registered voter information from the affidavits of registration.
  (f) The Secretary of State may adopt regulations prescribing additional regular reporting times, except that the total number of reporting times in any one calendar year shall not exceed 12.
  (g) The Secretary of State shall make the information from the electronic data files or the printed indexes available, under conditions prescribed by the Secretary of State, to any candidate for federal, state, or local office, to any committee for or against any proposed ballot measure, to any committee for or against any initiative or referendum measure for which legal publication is made, and to any person for election, scholarly or political research, or governmental purposes as determined by the Secretary of State.
  (h) For purposes of this section, "electronic data file" means either a magnetic tape or a data file in an alternative electronic format, at the discretion of the county elections official.

(a) Each county elections official shall provide notice to the Secretary of State that the following information is available:
  (1) The total number of voters in the county.
  (2) The number registered as preferring each qualified political party.
  (3) The number registered as preferring nonqualified parties.
  (4) The number registered without choosing a political party preference.
  (5) The number of voters by political party preferences in each of the following political subdivisions, located in whole or in part within the county:
  (A) A supervisorial district.
  (B) Congressional district.
  (C) Senate district.
  (D) Assembly district.
  (E) Board of Equalization district.
  (F) Cities and unincorporated areas.
  (b) The Secretary of State, within 30 days after receiving the information specified in subdivision (a), shall compile a statewide list showing the number of voters, by party preferences, in the state and in each county, city, supervisorial district, Assembly district, Senate district, and congressional district in the state. A copy of this list shall be made available, upon request, to any elector in this state.
  (c) The county elections officials shall prepare the information referenced in subdivision (a) and provide notice to the Secretary of State at the following times:
  (1) On the 135th day before each presidential primary and before each direct primary, with respect to voters registered on the 154th day before the primary election.
  (2) Not less than 50 days prior to the primary election, with respect to voters registered on the 60th day before the primary election.
  (3) Not less than seven days prior to the primary election, with respect to voters registered before the 14th day prior to the primary election.
  (4) Not less than 102 days prior to each presidential general election, with respect to voters registered before the 123rd day before the presidential general election.
  (5) Not less than 50 days prior to the general election, with respect to voters registered on the 60th day before the general election.
  (6) Not less than seven days prior to the general election, with respect to voters registered before the 14th day prior to the general election.
  (7) On or before March 1 of each odd-numbered year, with respect to voters registered as of February 10.
  (d) The Secretary of State may adopt regulations prescribing additional regular reporting times, except that the total number of reporting times in any one calendar year shall not exceed 12.

(a) Any application for voter registration information available pursuant to law and maintained by the Secretary of State or by the elections official of any county shall be made pursuant to this section.
  (b) The application shall set forth all of the following:
  (1) The printed or typed name of the applicant in full.
  (2) The complete residence address and complete business address of the applicant, giving street and number. If no street or number exists, a postal mailing address as well as an adequate designation sufficient to readily ascertain the location.
  (3) The telephone number of the applicant, if one exists.
  (4) The number of the applicant's driver's license, state identification card, or other identification approved by the Secretary of State if the applicant does not have a driver's license or state identification card.
  (5) The specific information requested.
  (6) A statement of the intended use of the information requested.
  (c) If the application is on behalf of a person other than the applicant, the applicant shall, in addition to the information required by subdivision (b), set forth all of the following:
  (1) The name of the person, organization, company, committee, association, or group requesting the voter registration information, including their complete mailing address and telephone number.
  (2) The name of the person authorizing or requesting the applicant to obtain the voter registration information.
  (d) The elections official shall request the applicant to display his or her identification for purposes of verifying that identifying numbers of the identification document match those written by the applicant on the application form.
  (e) The applicant shall certify to the truth and correctness of the content of the application, under penalty of perjury, with the signature of his or her name at length, including given name, middle name or initial, or initial and middle name. The applicant shall state the date and place of execution of the declaration.
  (f) Completed applications for voter registration information shall be retained by the elections official for five years from the date of application.
  (g) This section shall not apply to requests for information by elections officials for election purposes or by other public agencies for governmental purposes.
  (h) The Secretary of State may prescribe additional information to be included in the application for voter registration information.

(a) Any application for voter registration information available pursuant to law and maintained by the Secretary of State or by the elections official of any county shall be made pursuant to this section.
  (b) The application shall set forth all of the following:
  (1) The printed or typed name of the applicant in full.
  (2) The complete residence address and complete business address of the applicant, giving street and number. If no street or number exists, a postal mailing address as well as an adequate designation sufficient to readily ascertain the location.
  (3) The telephone number of the applicant, if one exists.
  (4) The number of the applicant's driver's license, state identification card, or other identification approved by the Secretary of State if the applicant does not have a driver's license or state identification card.
  (5) The specific information requested.
  (6) A statement of the intended use of the information requested.
  (c) If the application is on behalf of a person other than the applicant, the applicant shall, in addition to the information required by subdivision (b), set forth all of the following:
  (1) The name of the person, organization, company, committee, association, or group requesting the voter registration information, including their complete mailing address and telephone number.
  (2) The name of the person authorizing or requesting the applicant to obtain the voter registration information.
  (d) The elections official shall request the applicant to display his or her identification for purposes of verifying that identifying numbers of the identification document match those written by the applicant on the application form.
  (e) The applicant shall certify to the truth and correctness of the content of the application, under penalty of perjury, with the signature of his or her name at length, including given name, middle name or initial, or initial and middle name. The applicant shall state the date and place of execution of the declaration.
  (f) Completed applications for voter registration information shall be retained by the elections official for five years from the date of application.
  (g) This section shall not apply to requests for information by elections officials for election purposes or by other public agencies for governmental purposes.
  (h) The Secretary of State may prescribe additional information to be included in the application for voter registration information.
  (i) A county may not provide information for any political subdivision that is not wholly or partially contained within that county.

The Secretary of State shall study the feasibility of inserting fictitious names of voters into the voter registration information database as a possible investigative and enforcement tool for determining inappropriate or unauthorized uses of voter registration information.

The Secretary of State may insert fictitious names of voters into the voter registration information database as an investigative and enforcement tool for determining inappropriate or unauthorized uses of voter registration information.

  (a) A person who requests voter information pursuant to Section 2188 or who obtains signatures or other information collected for an initiative, referendum, or recall petition shall not send that information outside of the United States or make it available in any way electronically to persons outside the United States, including, but not limited to, access over the Internet.(b) For purposes of this section, "United States" includes each of the several states of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

(a) A person who requests voter information pursuant to Section 2188 or who obtains signatures or other information collected for an initiative, referendum, political party qualification, or recall petition shall not send that information outside of the United States or make it available in any way electronically to persons outside the United States, including, but not limited to, access over the Internet.
  (b) For purposes of this section, "United States" includes each of the several states of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

Before the day of any election held throughout the county, the county elections official shall deliver to the precinct board in each precinct three copies of the index to the affidavits of registration for that precinct, with canceled names lined out and with necessary supplements to bring the index up to date. The index and supplements shall constitute the register to be used at the election.

If the county elections official maintains tabulating cards containing the information set forth in the affidavits of registration of voters, or sets forth that information on electronic data processing tape, he or she shall provide, upon request, not less than 30 days prior to each direct primary election and general election, one set of those cards or a copy of the tape to the county central committee of a party for all voters allowed to participate in the subsequent direct primary election or general election. The county elections official shall also furnish to the county central committee, not less than seven days prior to each direct primary election and general election, one set of those cards or a copy of the tape of those voters who registered after the 54th day before the election. The cards or tape shall be provided without charge, except that the county central committee shall provide a replacement for the tape. In addition to those provided to county central committees, the county elections official shall provide, upon request, a set of cards or a copy of a tape to any candidate or committee specified in Section 2184, provided that the candidate or committee reimburses the county for whatever actual costs are involved in providing this service.

The elections official shall compile an index, list, or file, by precinct, of all persons who voted in the previous statewide general election. This information shall be compiled in conjunction with the purge of voter registration files conducted pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2220) of Chapter 3. Information compiled pursuant to this section shall include that information which is required to appear in the index as set forth in Section 2180. Any person, candidate, or committee who is entitled to obtain a copy of any information contained in this article shall, upon written request to the elections official, be entitled to obtain the index, list, or file compiled pursuant to this section. The elections official shall inform any recipient of this information as to whether the index, list, or file includes a voting history of vote by mail voters. The elections official may require the payment of a fee not to exceed the cost of duplicating the information or providing the tape as a condition to furnishing the information contained in this section. If the elections official uses data-processing equipment, he or she shall make the index available on a data-processing tape file on request. The elections official shall be required to retain this file until the next November general election in an even-numbered year has been conducted.

Upon request, the elections official shall compile an index, list, or file, by precinct, of all persons who voted in previous elections. This information shall be compiled in conjunction with the purge of voter registration files conducted pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2220) of Chapter 3. Information compiled pursuant to this section shall include that information which is required to appear in the index as set forth in Section 2183. Any person, candidate, or committee who is entitled to obtain a copy of any information contained in this article shall, upon written request to the elections official, be entitled to obtain the index, list, or file compiled pursuant to this section. The elections official shall inform any recipient of this information as to whether the index, list, or file includes a voting history of vote by mail voters. The elections official may require the payment of a fee not to exceed the cost of duplicating the information as a condition to furnishing the information contained in this section.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this article, in any county in which tabulating equipment is used to produce the indexes of registration, the indexes shall be furnished to persons, committees, and agencies as provided in this article by street addresses in numerical order, but the indexes may be maintained in alphabetical order. In the event the county contains precincts for which the majority of voters have no street addresses, the indexes for those precincts may be arranged and furnished for all purposes in alphabetical order in accordance with the surnames of voters.

The Secretary of State shall, upon the request of a county elections official, compile, from the information furnished by the county elections officials pursuant to Section 2187, a file of potential duplicate voter registrations. The county elections official may immediately cancel those voter registrations which, upon investigation, are determined to be duplicates. The voter registration bearing the later date shall remain in effect.

The Secretary of State shall, from the information furnished by the county elections officials pursuant to Section 2187, identify possible duplicate voter registrations. Those voter registrations determined to be duplicates shall be merged and the voter registration bearing the most recent date shall be the active record for that voter.

(a) Except as provided in Section 2194.1, the affidavit of voter registration information identified in Section 6254.4 of the Government Code:
  (1) Shall be confidential and shall not appear on any computer terminal, list, affidavit, duplicate affidavit, or other medium routinely available to the public at the county elections official's office.
  (2) Shall not be used for any personal, private, or commercial purpose, including, but not limited to:
  (A) The harassment of any voter or voter's household.
  (B) The advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products or services to any voter or voter's household.
  (C) Reproduction in print, broadcast visual or audio, or display on the Internet or any computer terminal unless pursuant to paragraph (3).
  (3) Shall be provided with respect to any voter, subject to the provisions of Sections 2166.5, 2166.7, and 2188, to any candidate for federal, state, or local office, to any committee for or against any initiative or referendum measure for which legal publication is made, and to any person for election, scholarly, journalistic, or political purposes, or for governmental purposes, as determined by the Secretary of State.
  (b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the California driver's license number, the California identification card number, the social security number, and any other unique identifier used by the State of California for purposes of voter identification shown on the affidavit of voter registration of a registered voter, or added to voter registration records to comply with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 15301 et seq.), are confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person.
  (2) Notwithstanding any other law, the signature of the voter shown on the affidavit of voter registration is confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person, except as provided in subdivision (c).
  (c) (1) The home address or signature of any voter shall be released whenever the person's vote is challenged pursuant to Sections 15105 to 15108, inclusive, or Article 3 (commencing with Section 14240) of Chapter 3 of Division 14. The address or signature shall be released only to the challenger, to elections officials, and to other persons as necessary to make, defend against, or adjudicate the challenge.
  (2) An elections official shall permit a person to view the signature of a voter for the purpose of determining whether the signature matches a signature on an affidavit of registration or a petition, but shall not permit a signature to be copied.
  (d) A governmental entity, or officer or employee thereof, shall not be held civilly liable as a result of disclosure of the information referred to in this section, unless by a showing of gross negligence or willfulness.
  (e) For the purposes of this section, "voter's household" is defined as the voter's place of residence or mailing address or any persons who reside at the place of residence or use the mailing address as supplied on the affidavit of registration pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 2150.

(a) Except as provided in Section 2194.1, the affidavit of voter registration information identified in Section 6254.4 of the Government Code:
  (1) Shall be confidential and shall not appear on any computer terminal, list, affidavit, duplicate affidavit, or other medium routinely available to the public at the county elections official's office.
  (2) Shall not be used for any personal, private, or commercial purpose, including, but not limited to:
  (A) The harassment of any voter or voter's household.
  (B) The advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products or services to any voter or voter's household.
  (C) Reproduction in print, broadcast visual or audio, or display on the Internet or any computer terminal unless pursuant to paragraph (3).
  (3) Shall be provided with respect to any voter, subject to the provisions of Sections 2166, 2166.5, 2166.7, and 2188, to any candidate for federal, state, or local office, to any committee for or against any initiative or referendum measure for which legal publication is made, and to any person for election, scholarly, journalistic, or political purposes, or for governmental purposes, as determined by the Secretary of State.
  (b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the California driver's license number, the California identification card number, the social security number, and any other unique identifier used by the State of California for purposes of voter identification shown on the affidavit of voter registration of a registered voter, or added to voter registration records to comply with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.), are confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person.
  (2) Notwithstanding any other law, the signature of the voter shown on the affidavit of voter registration or an image thereof is confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person, except as provided in subdivision (c).
  (c) (1) The home address or signature of any voter shall be released whenever the person's vote is challenged pursuant to Sections 15105 to 15108, inclusive, or Article 3 (commencing with Section 14240) of Chapter 3 of Division 14. The address or signature shall be released only to the challenger, to elections officials, and to other persons as necessary to make, defend against, or adjudicate the challenge.
  (2) An elections official shall permit a person to view the signature of a voter for the purpose of determining whether the signature matches a signature on an affidavit of registration or an image thereof or a petition, but shall not permit a signature to be copied.
  (d) A governmental entity, or officer or employee thereof, shall not be held civilly liable as a result of disclosure of the information referred to in this section, unless by a showing of gross negligence or willfulness.
  (e) For the purposes of this section, "voter's household" is defined as the voter's place of residence or mailing address or any persons who reside at the place of residence or use the mailing address as supplied on the affidavit of registration pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 2150.

Any affidavit of registration information identified in Section 6254.4 of the Government Code in existence 100 years after the creation of the record shall be available to the public. If records are contained in the great registers of voters and the bound register contains information covering more than one year, the records shall not be available to the public until the entire contents of the register have been recorded for at least 100 years.