California § 8020.5 - A candidate may withdraw nomination documents for any office other than a statewi

Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 8020.5 — A candidate may withdraw nomination documents for any office other than a statewi, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 8020.5. A candidate may withdraw nomination documents for any office other than a statewi

(a) A candidate may withdraw nomination documents for any office other than a statewide office that the candidate delivered for filing to the county elections official by delivering a statement of withdrawal to the county elections official. The statement may be delivered to the county elections official by a person other than the candidate. If the statement is not executed by the candidate in the office of the elections official, the candidate shall execute the statement before a notary public appointed by the Secretary of State or other state official. The statement shall be signed by the candidate under penalty of perjury, and shall include all of the following: (1) Identification of the office for which the candidate previously delivered nomination documents for filing to the county elections official. (2) A statement that the candidate irrevocably withdraws those nomination documents. (3) A statement that the candidate understands that by withdrawing the nomination documents, the candidate will not appear on the ballot as a candidate for that office. (4) A statement that the candidate understands that they will not receive a refund of any filing fees that the candidate paid in connection with the candidacy for that office pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 8105 of the Elections Code. (b) A candidate shall have until 5 p.m. on the 88th day before the primary election to withdraw nomination documents, except that if the extended period for filing nomination documents specified in Section 8022 or Section 8024 applies for a particular office, a candidate shall have until 5 p.m. on the 83rd day before the primary election to withdraw nomination documents for that office. (c) A candidate who withdraws nomination documents pursuant to this section may, during the applicable filing period, file nomination documents for any other office at the same primary election for which the person is eligible to be a candidate, except the office for which the person withdrew their nomination documents. This subdivision shall not be construed to extend any deadline for filing nomination documents. (d) If a candidate withdraws their nomination documents and does not subsequently qualify as a candidate for another office at the same primary election, the candidate’s name shall not appear on the ballot for any office at that election. (e) If a candidate delivers a statement of withdrawal to a county elections official pursuant to this section, and the office to which the statement applies is one for which nomination documents are required to be filed in the office of the Secretary of State pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 8100, the county elections official shall do all of the following: (1) Immediately upon receipt, electronically send a copy of the statement to the Secretary of State. (2) If the office to which the statement applies is to be voted on in more than one county, immediately upon receipt electronically send a copy of the statement to the elections official in each other affected county. (3) Within five days of receipt of the statement, forward the original statement to the Secretary of State. (f) For purposes of this section, “statewide office” means the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Insurance Commissioner, Secretary of State, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Treasurer, or Member of the United States Senate.

Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About California § 8020.5

What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 8020.5 cover?

Section 8020.5 ("A candidate may withdraw nomination documents for any office other than a statewi") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite California § 8020.5?

A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 8020.5" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of California law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.

How does California § 8020.5 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.