Section 20714 - Proposed Ballot Designations Submitted Pursuant to Elections Code Section 13107, Subdivision (a)(3)Proposed ballot designations submitted pursuant to Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), shall be subject to the following provisions:
(a) The terms "profession," "vocation," or "occupation," as those terms are used in Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), are defined as follows: (1) "Profession" means a field of employment requiring special education or skill and requiring knowledge of a particular discipline. The labor and skill involved in a profession is predominantly mental or intellectual, rather than physical or manual. Recognized professions generally include, but are not limited to, law, medicine, education, engineering, accountancy, and journalism. Examples of an acceptable designation of a "profession," as defined in Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), include, but are not limited to, "attorney," "physician," "accountant," "architect," and "teacher."(2) "Vocation" means a trade, a religious calling, or the work upon which a person, in most but not all cases, relies for his or her livelihood and spends a major portion of his or her time. As defined, vocations may include, but are not limited to, religious ministry, child rearing, homemaking, elderly and dependent care, and engaging in trades such as carpentry, cabinetmaking, plumbing, and the like. Examples of an acceptable designation of a "vocation," as defined in Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), include, but are not limited to, "minister," "priest," "mother," "father," "homemaker," "dependent care provider," "carpenter," "plumber," "electrician," and "cabinetmaker."(3) "Occupation" means the employment in which one regularly engages or follows as the means of making a livelihood. Examples of an acceptable designation of an "occupation," as defined in Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), include, but are not limited to, "rancher," "restaurateur," "retail salesperson," "manual laborer," "construction worker," "computer manufacturing executive," "military pilot," "secretary," and "police officer."(b) "Principal," as that term is used in Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), means a substantial involvement of time and effort such that the activity is one of the primary, main or leading professional, vocational or occupational endeavors of the candidate. The term "principal" precludes any activity which does not entail a significant involvement on the part of the candidate. Involvement which is only nominal, pro forma, or titular in character does not meet the requirements of the statute. (1) If a candidate is licensed by the State of California to engage in a profession, vocation or occupation, the candidate is entitled to consider it one of his or her "principal" professions, vocations or occupations if (i) the candidate has maintained his or her license current as of the date he or she filed his or nomination documents by complying with all applicable requirements of the respective licensure, including the payment of all applicable license fees and (ii) the status of the candidate's license is active at the time he or she filed his or her nomination documents.(2) A candidate who holds a professional, vocational or occupational license issued by the State of California may not claim such profession, vocation or occupation as one of his or her "principal" professions, vocations or occupations if (i) the candidate's licensure status is "inactive" at the time the candidate files his or her nomination document, or (ii) the candidate's license has been suspended or revoked by the agency issuing the license at the time the candidate files his or her nomination documents.(c) In order for a ballot designation submitted pursuant to Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), to be deemed acceptable by the Secretary of State, it must accurately state the candidate's principal professions, vocations or occupations, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (a) and (b) herein. Each proposed principal profession, vocation or occupation submitted by the candidate must be factually accurate, descriptive of the candidate's principal profession, vocation or occupation, must be neither confusing nor misleading, and must be in full and complete compliance with Elections Code §13107 and the regulations in this Chapter.(d) If the candidate is engaged in a profession, vocation or occupation at the time he or she files his or her nomination documents, the candidate's proposed ballot designation is entitled to consist of the candidate's current principal professions, vocations and occupations. In the event the candidate does not have a current principal profession, vocation or occupation at the time he or she files his or her nomination documents, the candidate may use a ballot designation consisting of his or her principal professions, vocations or occupations, which the candidate was principally engaged in during the calendar year immediately preceding the filing of the candidate's nomination papers.(e) A candidate may engage in multiple principal professions, vocations or occupations. Accordingly, the candidate may designate multiple principal professions, vocations or occupations. If a candidate proposes a ballot designation including multiple principal professions, vocations or occupations, the proposed ballot designation must comply with the following provisions:(1) The proposed ballot designation must comply with the three-word limitation specified in Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), and as implemented pursuant to subdivision (f) herein.(2) Each such proposed profession, vocation or occupation shall be separately considered by the Secretary of State and must independently qualify as a "principal" profession, vocation or occupation, as that term is defined pursuant to subdivision (b) herein.(3) When multiple professions, vocations or occupations are proposed as a ballot designation, they shall be separated by a slash ("/"). An example of an acceptable designation would be "Legislator/Rancher/Physician."(f) Pursuant to Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3), the candidate's ballot designation shall be limited to not more than three (3) words. The following rules shall govern the application of the three-word limitation:(1) The proposed ballot designation shall be grammatically correct, generic, and all words must be spelled correctly.(2) Punctuation shall be limited to the use of a comma (e.g., District Attorney, Los Angeles County) and a slash (e.g., Legislator/Rancher/Physician), pursuant to subdivision (e) of this section. A hyphen may be used if, and only if, the use of a hyphen is called for in the spelling of a word as it appears in a standard reference dictionary of the English language, which was published in the United States at any time within the 10 calendar years immediately preceding the election for which the words are counted.(3) All California geographical names shall be considered to be one word and shall be limited to the names of cities, counties and states. The names of special districts and political subdivisions are not "geographical names," as that term is used in Elections Code §13107, subdivision (a)(3). If the candidate desires, the geographical name may be used in the form of "City of ... ," "County of ... ," or "City and County of ..." Examples of geographical names considered to be one word include Tehama County, Los Angeles County and County of Sacramento. Examples of designations containing a special district or political subdivision that are not geographical names include "Butte County Rural Fire District Captain," "Huntington Beach Unified School District President," and "South Bay Irrigation District Director."(4) An acronym shall be counted as one word.(g) A candidate who chooses to include the name of his or her elective office with another profession, vocation, or occupation may do so pursuant to Elections Code section 13107(a)(3), but that ballot designation shall be limited to no more than three words. Examples of acceptable designations under this section include "State Senator/Rancher," "California Assemblywoman/Attorney," "County Supervisor/Teacher," and "State Controller/Businessman." Examples of unacceptable designations under this section include "Assemblyman, 57th District/Educator," "California State Senator/Architect," "Placer County Supervisor/Business Owner," and "Member, Board of Equalization/Banker."Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 2, § 20714
1. New section filed 1-14-98; operative 1-14-98 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 98, No. 3).
2. Amendment of subsections (a)(1), (c) and (f)(2)-(3), new subsection (g) and amendment of NOTE filed 12-21-2009; operative 12-21-2009 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2009, No. 52). Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code. Reference: Sections 9 and 13107, Elections Code.
1. New section filed 1-14-98; operative 1-14-98 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 98, No. 3).
2. Amendment of subsections (a)(1), (c) and (f)(2)-(3), new subsection (g) and amendment of Note filed 12-21-2009; operative 12-21-2009 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2009, No. 52).