Addis Bill Limiting Presidential Third Terms Advances to Governor's Desk

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) announced that Assembly Bill 1539, the Protect Our Democracy Act, advanced to the Governor's desk for enactment. If signed into law, AB 1539 would enforce the Twenty-Second Amendment and bolster federal constitutional safeguards against attempts to place ineligible presidential or vice-presidential candidates on California's ballot.

"Our nation established a vital two-term limit for the presidency to prevent abuse of power," said Addis. "Our current President flouts the Constitution and the courts - and has claimed he can, and may, try to be elected for a third term. Therefore, California must create a strong backstop against his overreach. AB 1539, with the help of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis for the first time ever - makes it a crime under penalty of perjury to place someone on the ballot for President or Vice President if they are not legally eligible to serve because they have already reached the constitutional term limit."

Under current California law, political parties must notify the Secretary of State of their presidential or vice-presidential nominees to place them on the ballot. Still, no certification requirement verifies that nominees are constitutionally eligible. AB 1539 closes the gap by requiring political parties to certify, under penalty of perjury, that their nominee meets the requirements for the office they seek.

AB 1539 is sponsored by Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis.

"Protecting the integrity of our democracy is a responsibility we all share," said Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. "AB 1539 strengthens the constitutional safeguards that have guided our country for generations by ensuring that presidential and vice presidential candidates meet the eligibility requirements already established in the Constitution. This bill simply reinforces the rules already in place and affirms a fundamental principle of our democracy: no one is above the Constitution. As a proud sponsor, I am delighted to see AB 1539 pass the legislature and want to thank Assemblymember Addis for her leadership on this issue."

The Governor has until September 30, 2026, to sign measures into law.

Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties. She is the Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health.

CONTACT: Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, (831) 649-2832