California Governor Signs Bill Requiring Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns to Appear on Primary Election Ballot

Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill “requiring candidates for U.S. President and California Governor to disclose their income tax returns in order to appear on California’s primary ballot.” With its passing, California now requires “the candidate’s income tax returns for the 5 most recent taxable years,” and the state will “not print the name of a candidate for President of the United States on a primary election ballot” if the tax returns are not released. The bill asserts that a “Presidential candidate’s income tax returns provide voters with essential information regarding the candidate’s potential conflicts of interest, business dealings, financial status, and charitable donations [and] therefore helps voters to make a more informed decision.” On his signing, Governor Newsom commented that states must “ensure leaders seeking the highest offices meet minimal standards” and “voters make informed, educated choices in the voting booth.” The act will “take effect immediately.”

1. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2019/07/30/governor-gavin-newsom-signs-sb-27-tax-transparency-bill/
2. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB27