When several persons claim to be entitled to the same office or franchise, one action may be brought against all such persons, in order to try their respective rights to such office or franchise.
§ 808.Several Persons Claiming to Be Entitled
Title 10. Actions In Particular Cases · Chapter 5. Actions for the Usurpation of an Office or Franchise · Enacted 1872 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 808 lets a single action be brought against every person claiming the same office or franchise so that all of their competing rights can be tried together rather than in separate lawsuits.
Full Text of § 808
Plain-English Summary
Disputes over an office or franchise sometimes involve more than two sides. When several people each claim entitlement to the same office or franchise, § 808 avoids the need for a string of separate lawsuits by allowing one action against all of them, in which the court sorts out their respective rights.
This consolidation serves the same efficiency goals that joinder rules serve elsewhere in civil procedure — it keeps competing claims to the same disputed position in front of one court at one time, rather than risking inconsistent rulings from multiple proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if more than one person claims the same office or franchise?
Section 808 lets one action be brought against all of the claimants, so their respective rights can be tried together.
Does each claimant need a separate lawsuit?
No. This section exists specifically to avoid that, consolidating the competing claims into a single action.
Who decides how to structure a case with several rival claimants?
The action is brought under § 803, ordinarily by the Attorney General, who can name all such claimants as parties to the single action.
Amendment History
Enacted 1872.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: multiple claimants same office california