California Code, Government Code - GOV § 75090

The benefits of this article are payable only to the surviving spouse of a judge who elects to come within this article. Any person who becomes a judge after August 22, 1964, may elect to come within this article within six months after becoming a judge or three months after notice is mailed to him or her by the Judges' Retirement System, except as otherwise provided in this section. Election to come within this article is made by filing written notice thereof with the Judges' Retirement System. Any election by a judge may thereafter be revoked by the judge and a reelection may be made at any time after that revocation.

Any judge who was married prior to January 1, 1990, and who had not previously elected to come within this article, shall exercise his or her election prior to April 1, 1990. A judge so electing shall pay all the contributions he or she would have made pursuant to Section 75092 had he or she been covered by this article as soon as originally eligible pursuant to this section.