CA AB 502: Elections: deceptive media in advertisements.

In one paragraph

California's AB 502 rewrites Elections Code § 20012 on deceptive election deepfakes. No one may, with malice, knowingly distribute an ad or election communication with materially deceptive content (intentionally digitally created or altered media, such as deepfakes, that falsely appears authentic) of a California candidate or elected official, if material to voters or to election confidence, in the 30 days before an election, or of an elections official or voting equipment from 30 days before to 38 days after. Recognizable satire is exempt. Those depicted, candidates, committees and elections officials may sue. Urgency statute signed September 19, 2026 (Chapter 333); effective immediately.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Campaigns, committees, consultants and advertisers: no malicious deepfakes of candidates, officials or election equipment in the windows around California elections; candidates' altered depictions of themselves need a 'manipulated' label. Online platforms are exempt.

Key provisions

1. 1Rewrites Elections Code § 20012 as added by AB 2839 (Chapter 262, Statutes of 2024). Materially deceptive content: 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; minor edits such as brightness, contrast or background-noise removal are excluded
2. 2With malice (knowing falsity or reckless disregard), no person, committee or other entity may knowingly distribute an advertisement or election communication portraying a federal, state or local candidate in California (including presidential and vice presidential candidates on a California ballot) or an elected official doing or saying something in connection with a California election that they did not, if material to a voter's electoral decisions or to public confidence in an election's process or outcome
3. 3Also covered: elections officials portrayed doing or saying something they did not, and voting machines, ballots, voting sites or other election property portrayed in a materially false way, if material to public confidence in the election
4. 4Time windows (previously 120 days before an election): the 30 days before an election for candidates and elected officials; for elections officials and election equipment, 30 days before through 38 days after the election
5. 5A candidate's deceptive portrayal of themselves is exempt if it carries the Gov. Code § 84514 disclosure or "This ____ has been manipulated." (image, audio or video) in every language used, meeting contrast and Arial type-size rules (e.g. at least 4% of the video display's height or width, whichever is less, for the video's whole length, 14 point on mailers) or, for audio, spoken at the start, at the end and at least every two minutes; removing the disclosure or knowingly republishing without it is barred
6. 6A depicted individual, a candidate or committee in the election, or an elections official may seek an injunction (with court precedence) or general or special damages, plus attorney's fees (to a prevailing plaintiff for injunctions; to the prevailing party in damages suits); violations must be proven by clear and convincing evidence; damages claims do not apply to broadcasters or websites that did not create the content
7. 7Exempt: bona fide news coverage with an acknowledgment, certain paid broadcasts, periodicals that state the content is inauthentic, satire or parody a reasonable person would recognize or that is labeled as such, and interactive computer services (47 U.S.C. § 230)
8. 8Urgency statute, so it applies to the November 3, 2026 general election: signed and chaptered September 19, 2026 (Chapter 333, Statutes of 2026); effective immediately

Latest legislative action

Sep 19, 2026. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 333, Statutes of 2026.

Sponsors (showing 5 of 20)

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