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California Election Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Election Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Education Law for California on
Q: Can a teacher ask a 1st graders to openly state whom they support on presidential elections?

Teacher asked 1st graders whom they support Kamala or Trump and asked why.

My daughter was the only one who said she supports candidate X.

She had no knowledge about elections except what her mother said her without thinking a day before.

I worry now the daughter will be... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 15, 2024

This situation raises serious concerns about appropriate classroom conduct and student privacy. Teachers should not ask young children to publicly declare political preferences, as this can lead to discomfort, potential bullying, and unnecessary division among students.

First graders are...
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2 Answers | Asked in Election Law for California on
Q: Hello I work for a Fire department in El Dorado County. Our candidate we were endorsing died on Saturday.

We were told conflicting things. One that it goes to the next highest person with votes. Or if the deceased were to get the majority the seat stays open and there is a special election or board appointed. Can you please clarify.

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Nov 4, 2024

Hidahl stepped down this election cycle as District 1 Supervisor — representing western swaths of El Dorado County, including El Dorado Hills — after terming out of the post he first was elected to in 2016.

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1 Answer | Asked in Election Law for California on
Q: What criteria must county elections set prior to Election Day to evaluate voter intent? Is there a State criteria?

Our County Elections office has refused to accept the write-in candidate's proposed list of alternative spellings for his name, and will be using two teams of evaluators to independently decide if the voter intent is clear when the ballots are processed. The County Clerk will make the final... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 26, 2024

I recommend visiting CanIVote.org where you'll find the latest information from your state or local election authority.

1 Answer | Asked in Election Law for California on
Q: What is penalty election investigator does to indict someone submitting 2 ballots for 2 cities regardless of ignorance?

Already emailed to him and he wants me to call for follow up questions if you can advise what is the process and penalty if it is first time by ignorance since I mixed up the ballots papers I saw the questions were for two different cities one forwarded from a previous address not asking about... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 21, 2024

It sounds like you're worried about the situation, but try not to panic. Election law investigators are usually focused on intent. If this was an honest mistake, they may take that into account, especially if it’s your first time dealing with such a situation. Your email explaining the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Election Law for California on
Q: I accidentally submitted 2 mailed ballots one forwarded from a previous address. Election investigator wants me to call

What is penalty for submitting two ballots for two different cities questions?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 19, 2024

If you accidentally submitted two ballots, it's important to address the situation immediately. You should explain the situation clearly when you speak to the election investigator. Since it was an honest mistake, they may ask for more information to understand how the mix-up happened and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Election Law for California on
Q: What's the legal risk of offering a reward (like a free coffee) for people who have an 'I Voted' sticker?

Which government department can sue us for example?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 4, 2024

Offering a reward, like a free coffee, to someone wearing an "I Voted" sticker can pose legal risks under California and federal election laws. This practice could be seen as a form of inducement to vote, which may violate laws that prohibit offering any consideration, monetary or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Election Law for California on
Q: Am I wrong that once the HOA Board election is certified all the winning board members terms begin and losers end.

• https://oakhillsestates.com/ByLaws_May2019.pdf

• Bylaws state that President and VP, two high offices, be filled with persons "who shall at all times be Directors" effectively those offices be held with election winners where Directors are created from voting membership not... View More

Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
answered on Jun 3, 2024

Thank you for your question!

A member have a write to inspect the list and object before the vote gets final.

If they ignore your objections, file a complaint with the board. If that does not work, file a complaint with the court. Document everything (communication, statements of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Election Law for California on
Q: Hey I just got a letter for California elections code 18700 will I have to pay the fine for not showing up or can I not
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 22, 2024

Under California Elections Code Section 18700, if you were summoned for election duty and failed to appear, you may be subject to penalties, including fines. The specifics can depend on your situation, such as the reason for your absence and whether it was communicated to the appropriate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Election Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for California on
Q: Remedy if our compromised City Council kills a public hearing request on Term Limits that apply only to themselves?

Many residents sent the following to city leaders: Honorable Mayor and Council Members, I would like to request that you lead a discussion designed to place a Term Limit measure for City Council Members on the ballot this November. I request you add this issue to the public agenda of your next... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 11, 2024

In California, if a city council decides not to hold a public hearing or advance a term limit measure despite public request, residents have several options to consider.

First, it's important to review the city's charter and municipal code. These documents often outline the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Collections, Election Law and Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: 1) Hello. Is it legal for a poa/hoa board to elect themselves as members of the board without an election? If there's

2) supposed to be an election to vote for a member by the residents?

James R. Dickinson
James R. Dickinson
answered on Sep 23, 2022

Please see my responses to your several other questions about the same thing. [I litigate cases. Anything posted here must not be construed as legal advice, nor as grounds for forming an attorney-client relationship. You should seek an attorney for formal legal advice and representation.]

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Election Law and Gov & Administrative Law for California on
Q: Is there an example from California state La superior court to appeal to change my biased judge and continue trial soon

Is there an example from Ca state La superior court to appeal to change my biased judge and continue trial immediately? My current trial was wrongly decided as a mistrial when defendants attorney (all white ppl) pressured the judge (female Asian like me, my legal team are all Asian), after first... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 23, 2022

You can put in a motion for a new trial and base it on those grounds.

Q: Can congress form a city in a state by overriding state and local government
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 26, 2021

This question could be beyond the scope of this forum. Congress does have certain enumerated powers granted under Article I, which include collecting taxes, paying debts, providing for the common defense and general welfare, borrowing on the credit of the United States, regulating commerce, etc.... View More

Q: I don't believe there is a process for federal referendum or initiatives?

For instance where the initiative process enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot. - If you started at the state level could the citizens create legislation to have a federal referendum/initiative... View More

Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on Feb 7, 2021

It doesn’t work that way. There are two separate systems: the federal system, and the state system. There is no federal analog to an initiative process. It is not possible to begin an initiative process in the state and then have it transfer over to the federal level. The United States... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Election Law and Gov & Administrative Law for California on
Q: How do I lobby by myself? How do I push forward a bill that needs to be passed?
Kevin Christopher Murphy
Kevin Christopher Murphy
answered on Jan 29, 2020

Contact your local County Bar Association and secure guidance from their Legislative Committee. We are submitting a Proposal for consideration, and have found the San Diego County Bar's Legis. Comm. to be extremely helpful in guiding/assisting our office. Good luck!

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Election Law for California on
Q: What would the corrective be to all the actions resulting from a presidency gained through fraudulent means?

If Trump is found to have gained the presidency as a result of welcoming the help of Russian active measures, the release of stolen DNC documents, breaking campaign finance law, in essence defrauding voters, making him an illegitimate president -- wouldn’t that also make the VP, the First Lady,... View More

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Aug 22, 2019

Those are political questions, not legal questions

Q: Can your SSA number be used in any part of the USA State federal coding system? County codes?

This would include birth certificate # address and phone number.

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Oct 18, 2018

I have no understanding as to what you are asking

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1 Answer | Asked in Election Law for California on
Q: Is it legal for workers for one candidate to steal campaign literature of a competitor from doors and porches?

We have video of this occurring in June special election and we were told it is legal which I find hard to believe.

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Aug 17, 2017

That sounds like an election law violation. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Election Law and Criminal Law for California on
Q: can election code 18203 be a wobbler. charged as a felony or misdemeanor
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on May 9, 2017

See my answer to your identical question. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Election Law for California on
Q: can election code 18203 be charged as a misdemeanor
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on May 9, 2017

That might be charged as a misdemeanor or felony of election fraud, depending on the facts and DA discretion. The statute reads,

"18203. Any person who files or submits for filing a nomination

paper or declaration of candidacy knowing that it or any part of it

has...
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