Candidates' statements: false statements.

Existing law permits a candidate for nonpartisan elective office, and an officer whose recall is being sought, to file with the elections official a candidate's statement that includes a brief description of the candidate's education and qualifications. Existing law requires an elections official to include in the county voter information guide a candidate's statement from a candidate for nonpartisan elective office and from an officer whose recall is being sought. Existing law prohibits a candidate for nonpartisan elective office, or an incumbent in a recall election, to knowingly make a false statement of material fact in the candidate's statement with the intent to mislead the voters in connection with his or her campaign for nomination or election to an office. Violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000. This bill would increase the maximum fine amount to $5,000.