Voter information guide: candidate statements

The law sets content standards for official voter guides and gives voters a court process to challenge statements that are false, misleading, or noncompliant.

What the law does ​

• Limits statements to the candidate’s education, professional experience, public service, community involvement, and qualifications for the office.
• Bars references to other candidates, external links or references except a campaign website, vulgar or violent content, unrelated material, and false or misleading claims.
• Requires candidates to sign a declaration that their statements are true and correct.
• Requires elections officials to remove prohibited content other than alleged false or misleading claims, print any independently understandable remainder, or omit the full statement when necessary.
• Sets refund rules: candidates receive a refund only when their entire statement is omitted.
• Allows registered voters—and, for county guides, county elections officials—to seek expedited court orders to amend or delete qualifying material during public review periods.

Who it affects ​

• Candidates buying space for statements in state or county voter information guides.
• Registered voters reviewing and challenging candidate statements.
• The Secretary of State and county elections officials preparing voter information guides.