California · verified October 5, 2026

California AI laws for political campaigns

Prohibition plus disclosure rules2 AI call rules8 political AI laws

Any committee ad with AI-generated or AI-altered image, audio or video must carry "Ad generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence.", and in the last 30 days before a California election you may not knowingly distribute a realistic fake of another candidate or of election officials at all, label or not (Elec. Code 20012 as rewritten by AB 502, effective September 19, 2026).

Political ad AI law: Prohibition + disclosure
When it applies: Anytime
Required AI disclaimer: Exact wording set by law
Criminal penalty: Yes
Candidate can sue: Yes
AI voice calls: 2 state rules + TCPA

Political ads and deepfakes

Does California regulate AI in political ads?

Yes. California stacks three rules. (1) Every committee ad that contains AI-generated or substantially AI-altered image, audio or video must carry the disclaimer "Ad generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence." (Gov. Code 84514, enforced by the FPPC). (2) Within 60 days of an election it is unlawful to distribute, with actual malice, materially deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate intended to injure the candidate or deceive voters unless it says "This _____ has been manipulated." (Elec. Code 20010, extended to January 1, 2031 by AB 686). (3) Elections Code 20012, rewritten by the urgency bill AB 502 and in effect since September 19, 2026, bars knowingly distributing, with malice, digitally fabricated content of candidates or elected officials in the 30 days before an election, and of election officials, ballots or voting equipment from 30 days before to 38 days after; a label only protects a candidate depicting themself or satire. The 2024 version (AB 2839) was struck down in Kohls v. Bonta, and the new text has not yet been tested in court. Key law (AB 2355 (2024), Cal. Gov. Code 84514; placement rules in Gov. Code 84504 to 84504.4).

AB 2355 (2024): Political Reform Act: AI-generated or substantially altered political advertisements

In effect

Required disclaimer, word for word

“Ad generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence.”

Citation: Cal. Gov. Code 84514; placement rules in Gov. Code 84504 to 84504.4
Enacted: September 17, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
When it applies: anytime
Media covered: any image, audio, or video in an advertisement that is generated or substantially altered using AI
Who it covers: committees (candidate committees, PACs, party committees and other Political Reform Act committees) that create, originally publish or originally distribute the ad
Rule: disclosure required
Intent required: None. Strict disclosure duty. Covers media entirely created by AI that would falsely appear authentic to a reasonable person, or media materially altered by AI so a reasonable person would have a fundamentally different understanding of it.
Disclaimer format: Must be clear and conspicuous and follow the Political Reform Act placement rules for each medium. For radio and prerecorded telephone ads (Gov. Code 84504), the disclosure is spoken at the beginning or end of the ad, in a clearly spoken manner and in a pitch and tone substantially similar to the rest of the ad, lasting no less than three seconds. Video, print and online ads use the same format rules as other required PRA disclosures.
Exemptions: immaterial changes such as cosmetic adjustment, color edit, cropped image, or resized image
rights and immunities under 47 U.S.C. 230 are not affected
Criminal penalty: None. The statute states a violation is not a misdemeanor (the usual PRA criminal provision does not apply).
Civil penalty: FPPC administrative and civil remedies under the Political Reform Act
Injunction available: Yes
Court challenges: Not challenged in Kohls v. Bonta as far as we could confirm.
Notes: This is the rule most campaigns will actually trip over: it applies to any committee ad using AI-made visuals or AI voice, including flattering content and AI voice robocalls, with no deception or intent element.

Read the official text

AB 730 (2019), extended by AB 972 (2022) and AB 686 (2026): Elections: deceptive audio or visual media (candidate deepfakes)

In effect

Required disclaimer, word for word

“This _____ has been manipulated.”

Citation: Cal. Elec. Code 20010; Code Civ. Proc. 35
Enacted: October 3, 2019
Effective: January 1, 2020
When it applies: within 60 days of an election at which the candidate will appear on the ballot
Media covered: audio or visual media (images, audio, video) of a candidate that is materially deceptive
Who it covers: any person, committee, or other entity
Rule: ban unless disclosed
Intent required: Distribution with actual malice and with intent to injure the candidate's reputation or to deceive a voter into voting for or against the candidate.
Disclaimer format: The blank is filled with whichever of Image, Video or Audio most accurately describes the media. Visual media: text easily readable by the average viewer and no smaller than the largest font of other text in the media (or easily readable if there is no other text); for video, it appears for the full duration. Audio-only media: clearly spoken in a pitch easily heard by the average listener at the beginning, at the end, and, if longer than two minutes, interspersed at intervals of not more than two minutes.
Exemptions: media carrying the required disclosure
bona fide newscasts, news interviews, news documentaries or on-the-spot news coverage that clearly acknowledge questions about authenticity
paid broadcast content (broadcasting stations paid to air it)
regularly published newspapers, magazines and periodicals that clearly state the media does not accurately represent the candidate
satire or parody
interactive computer services under 47 U.S.C. 230
Civil penalty: General or special damages
Who can sue: The candidate whose voice or likeness appears may seek injunctive or other equitable relief and damages against the distributor; prevailing party recovers reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Plaintiff must prove the violation by clear and convincing evidence.
Injunction available: Yes
Notes: Original sunset was January 1, 2023 (AB 730), extended to January 1, 2027 by AB 972 (Ch. 745, Stats. 2022). AB 686 (Ch. 334, Stats. 2026, signed September 19, 2026, non-urgency, so it takes effect January 1, 2027) extends the section and Code Civ. Proc. 35 calendar priority to January 1, 2031 with no change to the substance. The current text stays in force through 2026.

Read the official text

AB 2839 (2024), rewritten by AB 502 (2026): Elections: deceptive media in advertisements

In effect

Required disclaimer, word for word

“This ____ has been manipulated.”

Citation: Cal. Elec. Code 20012
Enacted: September 19, 2026
Effective: September 19, 2026
When it applies: Candidates: 30 days before any California election in which the candidate is running. Elected officials: 30 days before any California election. Elections officials, ballots, voting machines, voting sites and election property: 30 days before through 38 days after the election, inclusive.
Media covered: audio or visual media intentionally digitally created or modified (including deepfakes) so it would falsely appear to a reasonable person to be an authentic record
Who it covers: any person, committee, or other entity that distributes an advertisement or other election communication (TV, radio, telephone, text, internet or print)
Rule: ban
Intent required: Knowing distribution with malice (knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth), of content that could materially affect a voter's electoral decisions or public confidence in an election's process or outcome.
Disclaimer format: The label is NOT a cure for depicting someone else. It is a safe harbor only for (a) a candidate portraying themself, who may use this disclosure (blank filled with Image, Audio or Video) or the Gov. Code 84514 AI disclaimer, in every language used in the media, and (b) satire or parody labeled "This ____ has been manipulated for purposes of satire or parody," or substantially similar language. Format: contrasting color; video in Arial Regular at least 4% of display height or width (whichever is less) for the full video; mailers, flyers and door hangers at least 14 point Arial; yard signs and billboards at least 5% of ad height; online graphics and animations at least 11 point Arial; type not condensed. Audio only: clearly spoken at the beginning, the end, and every two minutes if longer than two minutes. Removing a required disclosure or knowingly republishing without it is barred.
Exemptions: content a reasonable person would understand as satire or parody
satire or parody carrying the satire disclosure
a candidate portraying themself with the required disclosure
bona fide newscasts, news interviews, documentaries and on-the-spot coverage that clearly acknowledge the content is not authentic
broadcasters airing paid content when federal law requires it or the station has a consistent disclaimer policy
newspapers and periodicals that clearly state the content does not accurately represent events
interactive computer services under 47 U.S.C. 230
minor edits such as brightness, contrast or background noise removal
Civil penalty: General or special damages
Who can sue: A depicted individual, a candidate or committee participating in the election, or an elections official may sue for injunctive or equitable relief (prevailing plaintiff gets attorney's fees) and for general or special damages (prevailing party gets fees). Broadcasters and websites that did not create the content are not liable for damages. Clear and convincing evidence standard; calendar priority under Code Civ. Proc. 35. (The 2024 version also let any recipient sue; AB 502 removed that.)
Injunction available: Yes
Court challenges: Kohls v. Bonta (E.D. Cal. No. 2:24-cv-02527, consolidated with suits by The Babylon Bee, Rumble and X Corp.): preliminary injunction against most of AB 2839 on October 2, 2024; on August 29, 2025 Judge John Mendez granted summary judgment holding AB 2839 unconstitutional under the First Amendment and permanently enjoining it. The state's Ninth Circuit appeal (The Babylon Bee v. Bonta, No. 25-6138) was still open with no decision as of October 5, 2026. No suit against the AB 502 text was found as of October 5, 2026; EFF and the First Amendment Coalition argue it is still unconstitutional.
Notes: AB 502 is Chapter 333, Statutes of 2026, an urgency statute (2/3 vote) effective on signing, September 19, 2026, so it covers the November 3, 2026 general election. It is the current text of Section 20012. Treat it as live but legally contested.

Read the official text

Bills to watch

Kohls v. Bonta appeal (Ninth Circuit): State's appeal of the permanent injunction against AB 2839 (2024 version of Elec. Code 20012). Pending in the Ninth Circuit (No. 25-6138); amicus briefs filed March 2026, no decision found as of October 5, 2026

For campaigns and consultants

Before an AI ad runs in California

Put "Ad generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence." on every committee ad that uses AI-made or AI-altered images, video or voice, including robocalls (spoken at the start or end, at least 3 seconds).
Never run an unlabeled realistic fake of an opposing candidate. Within 60 days of the election, a fake made with actual malice needs "This _____ has been manipulated." under Elec. Code 20010, and in the final 30 days a knowingly deceptive fake of another candidate is barred under Elec. Code 20012 even with a label.
If your own candidate appears in AI-altered content, label it under Elec. Code 20012 and Gov. Code 84514 within the final 30 days.
Do not fabricate election officials, ballots, voting machines or polling places. That rule runs from 30 days before to 38 days after the election.
Keep generation logs and source files. Suits get calendar priority and courts can enjoin an ad within days.
Online bots that interact with voters to influence a vote must disclose they are bots (Bus. and Prof. Code 17941).

AI voice calls and texts

Can a campaign use AI voice calls in California?

California is one of the few states with a statute aimed at AI voices in robocalls. Since January 1, 2025, anyone placing calls with an automatic dialing-announcing device (ADAD, equipment that dials stored or generated numbers and plays a prerecorded message) must first have a live, unrecorded human announcement that states the nature of the call and who is calling, asks whether the person consents to hear the prerecorded message, and tells the person if the message uses an artificial voice (Pub. Util. Code 2874). The statute has no political-call exemption, and ADAD calls cannot reach California phones between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. No court has struck any part of it. Separately, a committee's prerecorded phone ad that uses AI audio must also speak the AB 2355 AI disclaimer, and an AI voice clone of a candidate in a call can violate Elec. Code 20010 and 20012.

AB 2905 (2024): Automatic dialing-announcing devices: artificial voices

In effect

Citation: Cal. Pub. Util. Code 2871 to 2876 (artificial voice rule at 2874(a)(3) and (c))
Enacted: September 20, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
When it applies: anytime; ADAD calls barred between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. California time
Media covered: prerecorded messages delivered by an automatic dialing-announcing device; artificial voice means a voice generated or significantly altered using AI
Who it covers: any person operating an ADAD to call California telephones (no exemption for political or campaign calls)
Rule: disclosure required
Intent required: None
Disclaimer format: Before the prerecorded message plays, an unrecorded, natural voice announcement must (1) state the nature of the call and the name, address and telephone number of the business or organization represented, (2) ask whether the person consents to hear the prerecorded message, and (3) inform the person if the prerecorded message uses an artificial voice. Alternatively, calls may be made under a prior agreement in which the called person consented to receive such calls (Pub. Util. Code 2873). The device must disconnect when either party ends the call.
Exemptions: calls under a prior consent agreement with the person called (2873)
ADADs not used to randomly or sequentially dial, used only to message established business associates, customers or others with an established relationship, or calls made at the recipient's request (2872(f))
use exclusively on behalf of schools, tax-exempt organizations contacting their own members, cable and utility installers, and emergency facilities (2872(d)); emergency and public safety agency calls are not subject to 2874 (2872(e))
Civil penalty: A civil offense: fine of up to $500 per violation, levied by the CPUC, and possible disconnection of the device's telephone service (Pub. Util. Code 2876)
Notes: Political calls are covered; there is no campaign exemption (a political organization calling only its own members may fit the tax-exempt member exemption in 2872(d)(2), untested). The law is written for prerecorded-message devices. Whether a live, conversational AI voice agent counts as an ADAD playing a prerecorded message is not settled by statute or case law we found; the cautious approach is to have a human open the call, get consent and disclose the AI voice. Federal TCPA rules on artificial voices apply on top of this.

Read the official text

AB 2355 (2024): AI disclaimer on committee radio and prerecorded telephone ads

In effect

Required disclaimer, word for word

“Ad generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence.”

Citation: Cal. Gov. Code 84504 and 84514
Enacted: September 17, 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025
When it applies: anytime
Media covered: radio and prerecorded telephonic advertisements containing audio generated or substantially altered using AI
Who it covers: committees
Rule: disclosure required
Intent required: None
Disclaimer format: Spoken at the beginning or end of the ad, clearly, in a pitch and tone substantially similar to the rest of the ad, lasting no less than three seconds (Gov. Code 84504).
Exemptions: immaterial changes (cosmetic edits)
Civil penalty: FPPC administrative and civil remedies
Injunction available: Yes
Notes: An AI-voiced committee robocall needs both this spoken AI disclaimer and the ordinary PRA paid-for-by disclosures.

Read the official text

Federal floor everywhere: AI-generated voices are “artificial” voices under the TCPA (FCC, February 2024), so they need prior express consent to cell phones and must identify the caller at the start of the call. AI robocall laws in every state

AI and election administration laws

Other California AI laws that touch elections

AB 2655 (2024): Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024 (platform duties)

Cal. Elec. Code 20510 to 20520 · effective January 1, 2025

Required large online platforms (1 million or more California users) to remove reported materially deceptive election deepfakes within 72 hours during set pre-election windows and to label others with "This [image/audio/video] has been manipulated and is not authentic."

Official text

AB 502 (2026): Deceptive portrayals of election officials and voting equipment

Cal. Elec. Code 20012(b)(1)(B) to (D), (c)(3) · effective September 19, 2026

Bars knowingly distributing, with malice, digitally fabricated content showing an elections official or elected official misrepresenting election conduct, or showing ballots, voting machines or voting sites in a materially false way, from 30 days before to 38 days after an election. Elections officials may sue for injunctions and damages.

Official text

SB 1001 (2018): Bolstering Online Transparency (BOT) Act

Cal. Bus. and Prof. Code 17940 to 17943 · effective July 1, 2019

Unlawful to use an automated online account (bot) to communicate with a person in California online with intent to mislead about its artificial identity in order to influence a vote in an election, unless the bot clearly and conspicuously discloses that it is a bot.

Official text

Federal layer

Federal rules that apply in California

At the federal level, the binding rules that hit AI in campaigns today are the TCPA and FCC robocall rules, not any AI-specific election law. Since February 2024 the FCC treats AI-generated voices as "artificial" voices, so AI voice calls to cell phones need prior express consent (political calls included), AI or prerecorded political calls to landlines are limited to three per 30 days without consent, and every such message must identify the caller, give a callback number and offer an opt-out. The FEC says its existing fraudulent misrepresentation ban covers AI, but it has had no quorum since April 2025 and cannot enforce. Proposed FCC rules on AI disclosure in broadcast political ads and in AI calls were never adopted, and no federal AI political ad disclaimer bill has passed. Federal efforts to preempt state AI laws (a 2025 moratorium the Senate struck 99 to 1, and Executive Order 14365) have not displaced any state election or robocall law as of October 2026.

FCC, FEC and the federal preemption fight

How California compares

0 other jurisdictions share California's status (prohibition + disclosure).

See California on the map Political deepfake laws, all states Disclaimer generator California 2026 elections California underdog paths to victory

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Frequently asked questions

Does California regulate AI in political ads?

What AI disclaimer does California require on political ads?

AB 2355 (2024), Cal. Gov. Code 84514; placement rules in Gov. Code 84504 to 84504.4 requires: "Ad generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence." Format: Must be clear and conspicuous and follow the Political Reform Act placement rules for each medium. For radio and prerecorded telephone ads (Gov. Code 84504), the disclosure is spoken at the beginning or end of the ad, in a clearly spoken manner and in a pitch and tone substantially similar to the rest of the ad, lasting no less than three seconds. Video, print and online ads use the same format rules as other required PRA disclosures. AB 730 (2019), extended by AB 972 (2022) and AB 686 (2026), Cal. Elec. Code 20010; Code Civ. Proc. 35 requires: "This _____ has been manipulated." Format: The blank is filled with whichever of Image, Video or Audio most accurately describes the media. Visual media: text easily readable by the average viewer and no smaller than the largest font of other text in the media (or easily readable if there is no other text); for video, it appears for the full duration. Audio-only media: clearly spoken in a pitch easily heard by the average listener at the beginning, at the end, and, if longer than two minutes, interspersed at intervals of not more than two minutes. AB 2839 (2024), rewritten by AB 502 (2026), Cal. Elec. Code 20012 requires: "This ____ has been manipulated." Format: The label is NOT a cure for depicting someone else. It is a safe harbor only for (a) a candidate portraying themself, who may use this disclosure (blank filled with Image, Audio or Video) or the Gov. Code 84514 AI disclaimer, in every language used in the media, and (b) satire or parody labeled "This ____ has been manipulated for purposes of satire or parody," or substantially similar language. Format: contrasting color; video in Arial Regular at least 4% of display height or width (whichever is less) for the full video; mailers, flyers and door hangers at least 14 point Arial; yard signs and billboards at least 5% of ad height; online graphics and animations at least 11 point Arial; type not condensed. Audio only: clearly spoken at the beginning, the end, and every two minutes if longer than two minutes. Removing a required disclosure or knowingly republishing without it is barred.

What is the penalty for a deceptive political deepfake in California?

Criminal: None. The statute states a violation is not a misdemeanor (the usual PRA criminal provision does not apply). Civil: FPPC administrative and civil remedies under the Political Reform Act.

When does the California political deepfake law apply?

anytime. It covers any image, audio, or video in an advertisement that is generated or substantially altered using AI.

Can a campaign use an AI voice for robocalls in California?

Does California have other AI election laws beyond political ads?

Yes. AB 2655 (2024), Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024 (platform duties): Required large online platforms (1 million or more California users) to remove reported materially deceptive election deepfakes within 72 hours during set pre-election windows and to label others with "This [image/audio/video] has been manipulated and is not authentic." AB 502 (2026), Deceptive portrayals of election officials and voting equipment: Bars knowingly distributing, with malice, digitally fabricated content showing an elections official or elected official misrepresenting election conduct, or showing ballots, voting machines or voting sites in a materially false way, from 30 days before to 38 days after an election. Elections officials may sue for injunctions and damages. SB 1001 (2018), Bolstering Online Transparency (BOT) Act: Unlawful to use an automated online account (bot) to communicate with a person in California online with intent to mislead about its artificial identity in order to influence a vote in an election, unless the bot clearly and conspicuously discloses that it is a bot.

How many political AI laws does California have?

This tracker counts 8 California AI laws touching politics and elections as of October 5, 2026: 3 on elections, 2 on AI or artificial voice calls, 3 on voting and election officials.

Are there pending AI election bills in California?

Kohls v. Bonta appeal (Ninth Circuit) (State's appeal of the permanent injunction against AB 2839 (2024 version of Elec. Code 20012)): Pending in the Ninth Circuit (No. 25-6138); amicus briefs filed March 2026, no decision found as of October 5, 2026.

Sources

Verified October 5, 2026 against official legislature and statute pages. This page summarizes California law for campaigns and is not legal advice.