Political Rights and Duties of the People of California

California’s Government Code provides the “political rights and duties” of the People of the State of California in Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Division 1 of Title 1, which was enacted in 1943. Government Code Section 270 provides that every person while within the State is subject to its jurisdiction and entitled to its protection.

Section 271 specifies that allegiance is the obligation of fidelity and obedience which every citizen owes to the State. Section 272 provides that allegiance may be renounced by a change of residence.

Section 273 explains that a citizen of the United States who is not a citizen of the State has the same rights and duties as a citizen of the State who is not an elector. Section 274 provides that an elector has no rights or duties beyond those of a citizen who is not an elector, except the right and duty of holding office and voting.

Finally, Section 275.2 specifies that a public officer who is a minor has the rights and liabilities of an adult, both civil and criminal, with regard to his or her official duties, and a candidate for nomination or election to public office who is a minor has the rights and liabilities of an adult, both civil and criminal, with regard to his or her activities as a candidate.