SECTIONS 9040-9044 - California Statutes

ELECTIONS CODE

SECTION 9040-9044

9040. Every constitutional amendment, bond measure, or other
legislative measure submitted to the people by the Legislature shall
appear on the ballot of the first statewide election occurring at
least 131 days after the adoption of the proposal by the Legislature.

9041. Whenever the Legislature submits any measure to the voters of
the state, the author of the measure and no more than two persons
appointed by the author may draft an argument for the adoption of the
measure, or the author of the measure may appoint no more than three
persons to draft the argument. In no case shall more than three
persons write the argument. This argument shall not exceed 500 words
in length.
If the author of the measure desires separate arguments to be
written in its favor by each person appointed, separate arguments may
be written, but the combined length of the arguments shall not
exceed 500 words.

9042. If a measure submitted to the voters by the Legislature was
not adopted unanimously, one Member of the Senate who voted against
it shall be appointed by the President pro Tempore of the Senate and
one Member of the Assembly who voted against it shall be appointed by
the Speaker of the Assembly, at the same time as appointments to
draft an argument in its favor are made, to write an argument against
the measure. An argument shall not exceed 500 words.
If those members appointed to write an argument against the
measure choose, each may write a separate argument opposing it, but
the combined length of the two arguments shall not exceed 500 words.

9043. Arguments prepared by legislators and their appointees shall
be submitted to the Secretary of State no later than a date to be
designated by the Secretary of State. The arguments may not be
amended or changed after submission.

9044. If an argument for or an argument against a measure submitted
to the voters by the Legislature has not been filed by a Member of
the Legislature, any voter may request the Secretary of State's
permission to prepare and file an argument for either side, on which
no argument has been prepared by a Member of the Legislature. The
Secretary of State shall grant permission unless two or more voters
request permission to submit arguments on the same side of a measure,
in which event the Secretary of State shall designate one of the
voters to write the argument. Any argument prepared pursuant to this
section shall be submitted to the Secretary of State by a date
sufficient to meet ballot printing deadlines.