CHAPTER 1 General Provisions [1. - 20]

1.

This act shall be known as the Elections Code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

2.

The provisions of this code, insofar as they are substantially the same as existing statutory provisions relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuations, and not as new enactments.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

3.

If any provision of this code or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the code and the application of that provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

4.

Unless the provision or the context otherwise requires, these general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions shall govern the construction of this code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

5.

Division, part, chapter, article, and section headings do not in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of this code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

6.

Whenever a power is granted to, or a duty is imposed upon, a public officer, the power may be exercised or the duty may be performed by a deputy of the officer or by a person authorized, pursuant to law, by the officer, unless this code expressly provides otherwise.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

7.

Writing includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. Whenever any notice, report, statement or record is required or authorized by this code, it shall be made in writing in the English language unless it is expressly provided otherwise.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

8.

As used in this code, the present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future the present; the masculine gender includes the feminine; and the singular includes the plural, and the plural, the singular.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9.

(a) Counting of words, for purposes of this code, shall be as follows:

(1) Punctuation is not counted.

(2) Each word shall be counted as one word except as specified in this section.

(3) All proper nouns, including geographical names, shall be considered as one word; for example, “City and County of San Francisco” shall be counted as one word.

(4) Each abbreviation for a word, phrase, or expression shall be counted as one word.

(5) Hyphenated words that appear in any generally available standard reference dictionary, published in the United States at any time within the 10 calendar years immediately preceding the election for which the words are counted, shall be considered as one word. Each part of all other hyphenated words shall be counted as a separate word.

(6) Dates shall be counted as one word.

(7) Any number consisting of a digit or digits shall be considered as one word. Any number which is spelled, such as “one,” shall be considered as a separate word or words. “One” shall be counted as one word whereas “one hundred” shall be counted as two words. “100” shall be counted as one word.

(8) Telephone numbers shall be counted as one word.

(9) Internet Web site addresses shall be counted as one word.

(b) This section shall not apply to counting words for ballot designations under Section 13107.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 697, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2015.)

10.

The Secretary of State is the chief elections officer of the state, and has the powers and duties specified in Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

11.

On written call of the Secretary of State, the county elections officials, city elections officials, and registrars of voters of this state may meet with the approval of their legislative bodies, at the time and place within this state designated in the call, to discuss matters affecting the administration of the election laws and to promote uniformity of procedure in those matters. Meetings shall not exceed three in any calendar year. Any deputy of a county elections official, city elections official, or registrar of voters, designated for the purpose by his or her principal, may attend these meetings, alone or with his or her principal. The actual and necessary expenses of the county elections official, city elections official, or registrar of voters, and of a deputy, incurred in traveling to and from meetings and in attending the same, for each officer for any one meeting, shall be a charge of the county or city of the elections official or registrar, and payable as other county or city charges.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

12.

Whenever any candidate files a declaration of candidacy, nomination paper, or any other paper evidencing an intention to be a candidate for any public office at any election in this state with either the Secretary of State or a county elections official, the candidate shall by the filing irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State or the county elections official with whom the filing is made, and their successors in office, the candidate’s attorneys upon whom all process in any action or proceeding against him or her concerning his or her candidacy or the election laws may be served with the same effect as if the candidate had been lawfully served with process. The appointment shall continue until the day of the election.

If in any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with any matters concerning his or her candidacy or the election laws it is shown by affidavit to the satisfaction of a court or judge that personal service of process against the candidate cannot be made with the exercise of due diligence, the court or judge may make an order that the service be made upon the candidate by delivering by hand to the Secretary of State or the county elections official appointed as the candidate’s attorney for service of process, or to any person employed in his or her office in the capacity of assistant or deputy, one copy of the process for the defendant to be served, together with a copy of the order authorizing the service. Service in this manner constitutes personal service upon the candidate. The Secretary of State and the county elections officials of all counties shall keep a record of all process served upon them under this section, and shall record therein the time of service and their action with reference thereto.

Upon the receipt of service of process the Secretary of State or the county elections official shall immediately give notice of the service of the process to the candidate by forwarding the copy of the process to the candidate at the address shown on his or her declaration, nomination paper, affidavit, or other evidence of intention to be a candidate filed with that officer, by special delivery registered mail with request for return receipt.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13.

(a) A person shall not be considered a legally qualified candidate for an office, for party nomination for a partisan office, or for nomination to participate in the general election for a voter-nominated office, under the laws of this state unless that person has filed a declaration of candidacy or statement of write-in candidacy with the proper official for the particular election or primary, or is entitled to have his or her name placed on a general election ballot by reason of having been nominated at a primary election, or having been selected to fill a vacancy on the general election ballot as provided in Section 8807, or having been selected as an independent candidate pursuant to Section 8304.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing or prohibiting any qualified voter of this state from casting a ballot for a person by writing the name of that person on the ballot, or from having that ballot counted or tabulated, nor shall this section be construed as preventing or prohibiting a person from standing or campaigning for an elective office by means of a “write-in” campaign. However, nothing in this section shall be construed as an exception to the requirements of Section 15341 or to permit a person to be a write-in candidate contrary to Sections 8600 and 8606.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this section, to enable the Federal Communications Commission to determine who is a “legally qualified candidate” in this state for the purposes of administering Section 315 of Title 47 of the United States Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 1. Effective February 10, 2012.)

13.5.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 13, no person shall be considered a legally qualified candidate for any of the offices set forth in subdivision (b) unless that person has filed a declaration of candidacy, nomination papers, or statement of write-in candidacy, accompanied by documentation, including, but not necessarily limited to, certificates, declarations under penalty of perjury, diplomas, or official correspondence, sufficient to establish, in the determination of the official with whom the declaration or statement is filed, that the person meets each qualification established for service in that office by the provision referenced in subdivision (b).

(2) The provision of “documentation,” for purposes of compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1), may include the submission of either an original, as defined in Section 255 of the Evidence Code, or a duplicate, as defined in Section 260 of the Evidence Code.

(b) This section shall be applicable to the following offices and qualifications therefor:

(1) For the office of county auditor, the qualifications set forth in Sections 26945 and 26946 of the Government Code.

(2) For the office of county district attorney, the qualifications set forth in Sections 24001 and 24002 of the Government Code.

(3) For the office of county sheriff, the qualifications set forth in Section 24004.3 of the Government Code.

(4) For the office of county superintendent of schools, the qualifications set forth in Sections 1205 to 1208, inclusive, of the Education Code.

(5) For the office of judge of the superior court, the qualifications set forth in Section 15 of Article VI of the California Constitution.

(6) For the office of county treasurer, county tax collector, or county treasurer-tax collector, the qualifications set forth in Section 27000.7 of the Government Code, provided that the board of supervisors has adopted the provisions of that section pursuant to Section 27000.6 of the Government Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 92. Effective January 1, 2003.)

14.

In case of a disaster in which a portion or all of the voting records of any county are destroyed, the Governor may appoint an election commission to outline and recommend procedures to be followed in the conduct of regular or special elections. The commission shall consist of the Governor, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the county elections official of each county in which destruction occurs.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

15.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the last day for the performance of any act provided for or required by this code shall be a holiday, as defined in Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, the act may be performed upon the next business day with the same effect as if it had been performed upon the day appointed.

For purposes of this section, the Friday in November immediately after Thanksgiving Day shall be considered a holiday.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

16.

A copy of Section 84305 of the Government Code shall be provided by the elections official to each candidate or his or her agent at the time of filing the declaration of candidacy and to the proponents of a local initiative or referendum at the time of filing the petitions.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

17.

The Secretary of State shall establish and maintain administrative complaint procedures, pursuant to the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 21112), in order to remedy grievances in the administration of elections. The Secretary of State shall not require that the administrative remedies provided in the complaint procedures established pursuant to this section be exhausted in order to pursue any other remedies provided by state or federal law.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 81. Effective January 1, 2017.)

20.

(a) A person shall not be considered a candidate for, and is not eligible to be elected to, any state or local elective office if the person has been convicted of a felony involving accepting or giving, or offering to give, any bribe, the embezzlement of public money, extortion or theft of public money, perjury, or conspiracy to commit any of those crimes.

(b) For purposes of this section, “conviction of a felony” includes a conviction of a felony in this state and a conviction under the laws of any other state, the United States, or any foreign government or country of a crime that, if committed in this state, would be a felony, and for which the person has not received a pardon from the Governor of this state, the governor or other officer authorized to grant pardons in another state, the President of the United States, or the officer of the foreign government or country authorized to grant pardons in that foreign jurisdiction.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 160, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2013.)

CHAPTER 2. Petitions and Petition Signers [100 - 106]

100.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever an initiative, referendum, recall, nominating petition or paper, or any other petition or paper, is required to be signed by voters of a county, city, school district, or special district subject to petitioning, only a person who is an eligible registered voter at the time of signing the petition or paper is entitled to sign the petition or paper. A person who submits his or her affidavit of registration pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2102 is not eligible to sign a petition or paper unless at the time of the signing of the petition or paper he or she is 18 years of age.

(b) A signer shall at the time of signing the petition or paper personally affix his or her signature, printed name, and place of residence, including the street and number of the place of residence, and if no street or number for the place of residence exists, then a designation of the place of residence that will enable the location to be readily ascertained. An incomplete or inaccurate apartment or unit number in the signer’s residence address shall not invalidate his or her signature pursuant to Section 105. A space at least one inch wide shall be left blank after each name for the use of the elections official in verifying the petition or paper.

(c) The part of a petition for the signatures, printed names, and residence addresses of the voters and for the blank spaces for verification purposes shall be numbered consecutively commencing with the number one and continuing through the number of signature spaces allotted to each section. The petition format shall be substantially in the following form:

(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 364) by Stats. 2014, Ch. 909, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2015. Amendment by Stats. 2009, Ch. 364, with text revised by this amendment, became operative on September 26, 2016, when the Secretary of State issued the certification prescribed by Sec. 7 of Ch. 364.)

100.5.

Notwithstanding Section 100, a voter who is unable to personally affix on a petition or paper the information required by Section 100 may request another person to print the voter’s name and place of residence on the appropriate spaces of the petition or paper, but the voter shall personally affix his or her mark or signature on the appropriate space of the petition or paper, which shall be witnessed by one person by subscribing his or her name thereon.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 922, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.)

101.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a state or local initiative petition required to be signed by voters shall contain in 12-point type, before that portion of the petition for voters’ signatures, printed names, and residence addresses, the following language:

“NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

THIS PETITION MAY BE CIRCULATED BY A PAID SIGNATURE GATHERER OR A VOLUNTEER. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK.”

(b) A state initiative petition shall contain, in the same location and type size described in subdivision (a), the following language:

“THE PROPONENTS OF THIS PROPOSED INITIATIVE MEASURE HAVE THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW THIS PETITION AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE MEASURE QUALIFIES FOR THE BALLOT.”

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 697, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2015.)

102.

A person shall not circulate a state or local initiative, referendum, or recall petition or nominating paper unless the person is 18 years of age or older.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 278, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

103.

A voter who has signed an initiative, referendum, or recall petition pursuant to the Constitution or laws of this state shall have his or her signature withdrawn from the petition upon filing a written request that includes the voter’s name, residence address, and signature with the appropriate county elections official or city elections official prior to the day the petition is filed. A written request made under this section shall not constitute a petition or paper for purposes of Section 104.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 731, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016.)

104.

(a) Wherever any petition or paper is submitted to the elections official, each section of the petition or paper shall have attached to it a declaration signed by the circulator of the petition or paper, setting forth, in the circulator’s own hand, the following:

(1) The printed name of the circulator.

(2) The residence address of the circulator, giving street and number, or if no street or number exists, adequate designation of residence so that the location may be readily ascertained.

(3) The dates between which all the signatures to the petition or paper were obtained.

(b) Each declaration submitted pursuant to this section shall also set forth the following:

(1) That the circulator circulated that section and witnessed the appended signatures being written.

(2) That according to the best information and belief of the circulator, each signature is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be.

(3) That the circulator is 18 years of age or older.

(c) The circulator shall certify the content of the declaration as to its truth and correctness, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, with the signature of his or her name. The circulator shall state the date and the place of execution on the declaration immediately preceding his or her signature.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 278, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2014.)

105.

(a) (1) For purposes of verifying a signature on an initiative, referendum, recall, nomination, or other election petition or paper, the elections official shall determine that the residence address on the petition or paper is the same as the residence address on the affidavit of registration. If the addresses are different, or if the petition or paper does not specify the residence address, or, in the case of an initiative or referendum petition, the information specified in Section 9020 is not contained in the petition, the affected signature shall not be counted as valid.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the elections official shall not invalidate a signature for an incomplete or inaccurate apartment or unit number in the signer’s residence address.

(b) A signature invalidated pursuant to this section shall not affect the validity of another valid signature on the particular petition or paper.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 909, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2015.)

106.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

(a) Any registered voter who is a candidate for any office may obtain signatures to and sign his or her own nomination papers. The candidate’s signature shall be given the same effect as that of any other qualified signer.

(b) Any person engaged in obtaining signatures to the nomination papers of a candidate for any office or to any recall, initiative or referendum petition, may, if otherwise qualified to sign the papers or petition, sign the papers or petition. The signature of the person shall be given the same effect as that of any other qualified signer.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 3. Nominations [200 - 202]

200.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, there shall be set forth in full in the declaration of candidacy required for any primary or final election the oath or affirmation set forth in Section 3 of Article XX of the Constitution.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 724, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)

201.

Unless otherwise specifically provided, no person is eligible to be elected or appointed to an elective office unless that person is a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for that office at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person or at the time of the person’s appointment.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

202.

Notwithstanding any other law, a person who is deployed on active military service outside of the state and is unable to appear to file a declaration of candidacy, nomination paper, or any other paper necessary to run for office may have that declaration or paper completed and filed by an attorney-in-fact, commissioned and empowered in writing for that purpose through a power of attorney. At the time of filing the declaration or paper, the attorney-in-fact shall present the original power of attorney duly signed by the deployed person. The power of attorney shall state the office that the deployed person is seeking, including the district number, if any, and shall include a declaration that the deployed person meets the statutory and constitutional qualifications for office that he or she is seeking and that if nominated, the deployed person will accept the nomination and will not withdraw. The power of attorney shall further state that the power of attorney is solely for the purpose of authorizing the attorney-in-fact to file a declaration or paper necessary to run for office. The original or a copy of the power of attorney shall be filed with and attached to the declaration or paper.

(Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 57, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2012.)

CHAPTER 4. Definitions [300 - 362]

300.

(a) “Vote by mail voter” means any voter casting a ballot in any way other than at the polling place.

(b) “Military or overseas voter” means an elector absent from the county in which he or she is otherwise eligible to vote who is any of the following:

(1) A member of the active or reserve components of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard; a Merchant Marine; a member of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps of the United States; or a member on activated status of the National Guard or state militia.

(2) A citizen of the United States living outside of the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia.

(3) A spouse or dependent of a person described in paragraph (1).

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2013.)

300.5.

“Affiliated with a political party” as used in reference to a voter or to a candidate for a voter-nominated office means the party preference that the voter or candidate has disclosed on his or her affidavit of registration.

(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 1, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2010. Operative January 1, 2011, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 1.)

301.

A “ballot” means any of the following:

(a) The combination of a card with number positions that is marked by the voter and the accompanying reference page or pages containing the names of candidates and the ballot titles of measures to be voted on with numbered positions corresponding to the numbers on the card.

(b) One or more cards upon which are printed the names of the candidates and the ballot titles of measures to be voted on by punching or marking in the designated area.

(c) One or more sheets of paper upon which are printed the names of candidates and the ballot titles of measures to be voted on by marking the designated area and that are tabulated manually or by optical scanning equipment.

(d) An electronic touchscreen upon which appears the names of candidates and ballot titles of measures to be voted on by touching the designated area on the screen for systems that do not contain a paper ballot.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 75, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2017.)

302.

“Ballot card” means a card or a number of cards upon which are printed, or identified by reference to the ballot, the names of candidates for nomination or election to one or more offices or the ballot titles of one or more measures. The ballot card shall also contain proper blank spaces to allow the voter to write in names not printed on the ballot unless a separate write-in ballot is used. The separate write-in ballot may be a paper ballot, a card, or the envelope used to enclose a ballot card. Determination of the format of a separate write-in ballot shall be within the discretion of the elections board. The separate write-in ballot shall provide a blank space followed by the word “office” and a second blank space followed by the word “name” for purposes of facilitating write-in votes for offices for which write-in votes may be cast, or may provide a space for writing in the name followed by a space for punching or slotting in order that the vote may be tabulated. All separate write-in ballots may, in the discretion of the elections board, have attached thereto two stubs that comply with Section 13261 regarding the stubs attached to a ballot card, except that the information required under subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 13261 and instructions to voters on how to vote for persons whose names do not appear on the ballot may be printed on the write-in ballot and not upon a stub. Any serial numbers appearing on the write-in ballot stubs need not be identical to the serial numbers appearing on the stubs attached to the ballot card or cards handed to the voter. Sections 13002 to 13006, inclusive, shall not apply to the preparation and composition of separate write-in ballots authorized by this section. Sections 14403 and 14404 shall not apply to separate write-in ballots used in an election in which a punchcard voting system is used.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 118, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2012.)

303.

“Ballot label” means that portion of the ballot containing the names of the candidates or a statement of a measure. For statewide measures, the ballot label shall contain no more than 75 words and shall be a condensed version of the ballot title and summary including the fiscal impact summary prepared pursuant to Section 9087 of this code and Section 88003 of the Government Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 373, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2010.)

303.3.

“Remote accessible vote by mail system” means a mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic system and its software that is used for the sole purpose of marking an electronic vote by mail ballot for a voter with disabilities or a military or overseas voter who shall print the paper cast vote record to be submitted to the elections official. A remote accessible vote by mail system shall not be connected to a voting system at any time.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 75, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2017.)

303.4.

“Ballot on demand system” means a self-contained system that allows users to do both of the following on an as-needed basis:

(a) Manufacture and finish card stock.

(b) Finish unfinished ballot cards into ballot cards.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 734, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016.)

303.5.

(a) “Ballot title” is the name of a statewide measure included in the ballot label and the ballot title and summary.

(b) “Ballot title and summary” means the summary of the chief purpose and points including the fiscal impact summary of any measure that appears in the state voter information guide. The ballot title and summary shall include a statement of the measure’s fiscal impact. The ballot title and summary shall not exceed 100 words, not including the fiscal impact statement.

(c) (1) “Circulating title and summary” means the text that is required to be placed on a petition for signatures that is either one of the following:

(A) The summary of the chief purpose and points of a proposed initiative measure that affects the Constitution or laws of the state, and the fiscal impact of the proposed initiative measure.

(B) The summary of the chief purpose and points of a referendum measure that affects a law or laws of the state.

(2) The circulating title and summary shall not exceed 100 words, not including the fiscal impact summary.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2017.)

304.

“Campaign advertising or communication” means a communication authorized by a candidate or a candidate’s controlled committee, as defined in Section 82016 of the Government Code, or by a committee making independent expenditures, as defined in Section 82031 of the Government Code, or by a committee formed primarily to support or oppose a ballot measure, as defined in Section 82047.5 of the Government Code, for the purpose of advocating the election or defeat of a qualified candidate or ballot measure through any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, direct mailing, or any other type of general, public, political advertising.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

305.

(a)“Candidate,” for purposes of Section 2184, includes any person who declares in writing, under penalty of perjury that he or she is a candidate, naming the office.

(b) “Candidate,” as used in Article 1 (commencing with Section 20200) of Chapter 3 of Division 20, means an individual listed on the ballot, or who has qualified to have write-in votes on his or her behalf counted by election officials, for nomination or for election to any elective state or local office, or who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure or gives his or her consent for any other person to receive a contribution or makes an expenditure with a view to bringing about his or her nomination or election to any elective state or local office, whether or not the specific elective office for which he or she will seek nomination or election is known at the time the contribution is received or the expenditure is made. The term “candidate” includes any officeholder who is subject to a recall election.

(c) “Candidate for public office,” as used in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 20400) of Division 20, means an individual who has qualified to have his or her name listed on the ballot of any election, or who has qualified to have written votes on his or her behalf counted by election officials, for nomination for, or election to, any state, regional, county, municipal, or district office which is filled at an election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

305.5.

“Paper cast vote record” means an auditable document that corresponds to the selection made on the voter’s ballot and lists the contests on the ballot and the voter’s selections for those contests. A paper cast vote record is not a ballot.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 75, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2017.)

306.

“City measure” includes any proposed city charter, any proposed amendment to a city charter, any proposition for the issuance of bonds by the city, any advisory question, or any other question or proposition submitted to the voters of a city.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

307.

“Clerk” means the county elections official, registrar of voters, city clerk, or other officer or board charged with the duty of conducting any election.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 221, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2003.)

308.

“District elections official,” for the purposes of initiative and referendum under Article 1 (commencing with Section 9300) of Chapter 4 of Division 9, includes the county elections official or other officer or board charged with performing the duties required of the clerk of the district by that chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 221, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2003.)

309.

“Committee,” as used in Article 1 (commencing with Section 20200) of Chapter 3 of Division 20, means any person or combination of persons who, directly or indirectly, receive contributions or make expenditures or contributions for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence the action of voters for or against the nomination or election of one or more candidates, or the passage, or defeat of any measure, and who is required to file campaign reports or statements under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 84100) of Title 9 of the Government Code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

310.

“County” and “city” both include “city and county.”

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

312.

“County measure” includes any proposed county charter, any proposed amendment to a county charter, any proposition for the issuance of funding or refunding bonds of the county, any other question or proposition submitted to the voters of a county at any election held throughout an entire single county, any advisory question, or any bond proposal or any advisory question submitted to the voters of any public district although the boundaries of the district may be coterminous with those of the county.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

313.

“County office” means the office filled by any county officer.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

314.

“County officer” means any elected officer enumerated in Division 2 (commencing with Section 24000) of Title 3 of the Government Code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

316.

“Direct primary” is the primary election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in each even-numbered year, to nominate candidates to be voted for at the ensuing general election or to elect members of a party central committee.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 817, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)

317.

“District,” for purposes of initiative and referendum under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 9300) of Division 9, includes any regional agency that has the power to tax, to regulate land use, or to condemn and purchase land.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

318.

“Election” means any election including a primary that is provided for under this code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

319.

“Election board” means the board of supervisors of each county, the city council or other governing body of a city, or any board or officer to whom similar powers and duties are given by any charter.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

319.5.

“Electioneering” means the visible display or audible dissemination of information that advocates for or against any candidate or measure on the ballot within 100 feet of a polling place, an elections official’s office, or a satellite location under Section 3018. Prohibited electioneering information includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(a) A display of a candidate’s name, likeness, or logo.

(b) A display of a ballot measure’s number, title, subject, or logo.

(c) Buttons, hats, pencils, pens, shirts, signs, or stickers containing electioneering information.

(d) Dissemination of audible electioneering information.

(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 146, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2010.)

320.

“Elections official” means any of the following:

(a) A clerk or any person who is charged with the duty of conducting an election.

(b) A county clerk, city clerk, registrar of voters, or elections supervisor having jurisdiction over elections within any county, city, or district within the state.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 125, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

321.

(a) “Elector” means any person who is a United States citizen 18 years of age or older and, except as specified in subdivision (b), is a resident of an election precinct at least 15 days prior to an election.

(b) “Elector” also means any person described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 300, who, except for the residence requirement specified in subdivision (a), is eligible to vote in this state and meets any of the following conditions:

(1) He or she was a resident of this state when he or she was last living within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia.

(2) He or she was born outside of the United States or the District of Columbia, his or her parent or legal guardian was a resident of this state when the parent or legal guardian was last living within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia, and he or she has not previously registered to vote in any other state.

(c) Each person qualifying as an elector under subdivision (b) shall be deemed to be a resident of this state for purposes of this code and Section 2 of Article II of the California Constitution.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2013.)

322.

“Electoral jurisdiction,” as used in Division 11 (commencing with Section 11000), means the area within which the voters reside who are qualified to vote for the officer sought to be recalled.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

323.

“Federal election” means any presidential election, general election, primary election, or special election held solely or in part for the purpose of selecting, nominating, or electing any candidate for the office of President, Vice President, presidential elector, Member of the United States Senate, or Member of the United States House of Representatives.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

324.

(a) “General election” means either of the following:

(1) The election held throughout the state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in each even-numbered year.

(2) Any statewide election held on a regular election date as specified in Section 1000.

(b) At each general election there shall be elected to the Congress of the United States:

(1) One Representative for each congressional district.

(2) One Senator, when the general election immediately precedes the commencement of a full term.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

326.

“Judicial office” means the office filled by any judicial officer.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

327.

“Judicial officer” means any Justice of the Supreme Court, justice of a court of appeal, or judge of the superior court.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 94. Effective January 1, 2003.)

328.

“Local election” is a municipal, county, or district election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

329.

“Measure” means any constitutional amendment or other proposition submitted to a popular vote at any election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

330.

“Municipal election” means elections in general law cities and where applicable in chartered cities.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

331.

“New citizen” means any person who meets all requirements of an elector of, and has established residency in, the state, except that he or she will become a United States citizen after the 15th day prior to an election.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 186, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2012.)

332.

“New resident” means a person who meets all requirements of an elector of the State of California except that his or her residency was established subsequent to the 15th day prior to the election.

The new resident is eligible to vote for President and Vice President and for no other office.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 592, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2005.)

332.5.

“Nominate” means the selection, at a state-conducted primary election, of candidates who are entitled by law to participate in the general election for that office, but does not mean any other lawful mechanism that a political party may adopt for the purposes of choosing the candidate who is preferred by the party for a nonpartisan or voter-nominated office.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 296, Sec. 78. Effective January 1, 2012.)

333.

“Nomination documents” means declaration of candidacy and nomination papers.

(Added by renumbering Section 6489 by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 43. Effective September 30, 1996.)

334.

“Nonpartisan office” means an office, except for a voter-nominated office, for which no party may nominate a candidate. Judicial, school, county, and municipal offices, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, are nonpartisan offices.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 3. Effective February 10, 2012.)

335.

“Oath” includes affirmation.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

335.5.

The “official canvass” is the public process of processing and tallying all ballots received in an election, including, but not limited to, provisional ballots and vote by mail ballots not included in the semifinal official canvass. The official canvass also includes the process of reconciling ballots, attempting to prohibit duplicate voting by vote by mail and provisional voters, and performance of the manual tally of 1 percent of all precincts.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)

336.

The “official summary date” is the date a circulating title and summary of a proposed initiative measure is delivered or mailed by the Attorney General to the proponents of the proposed measure.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 373, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2010.)

336.5.

“One percent manual tally” is the public process of manually tallying votes in 1 percent of the precincts, selected at random by the elections official, and in one precinct for each race not included in the randomly selected precincts. This procedure is conducted during the official canvass to verify the accuracy of the automated count.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1999.)

336.7.

“Out-of-state emergency worker” means a voter who is officially engaged in responding to the proclamation of an out-of-state emergency and whose vocation has been identified in an executive order relating to the state of emergency.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 566, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2014.)

337.

“Partisan office” or “party-nominated office” means any of the following offices:

(a) President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, and the delegates therefor.

(b) Elected member of a party committee.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 296, Sec. 79. Effective January 1, 2012.)

338.

“Party” means a political party or organization that has qualified for participation in any primary or presidential general election.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2014.)

339.

(a) “Precinct board” is the board appointed by the elections official to serve at a single precinct or a consolidated precinct.

(b) “Precinct board,” when used in relation to proceedings taking place after the polls have closed, likewise includes any substitutive canvassing and counting board that may have been appointed to take the place of the board theretofore serving.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

340.

“Presidential primary” is the primary election that is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in any year that is evenly divisible by the number four, and at which delegations to national party conventions are to be chosen.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 138, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2012.)

341.

“Primary election” includes all primary nominating elections provided for by this code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

342.

“Proponent or proponents of an initiative or referendum measure” means, for statewide initiative and referendum measures, the elector or electors who submit the text of a proposed initiative or referendum to the Attorney General with a request that he or she prepare a circulating title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure; or for other initiative and referendum measures, the person or persons who publish a notice or intention to circulate petitions, or, where publication is not required, who file petitions with the elections official or legislative body.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 373, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2010.)

343.

“Proponent or proponents of a recall petition” means the person or persons who have charge or control of the circulation of, or obtaining signatures, to such petitions.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

344.

“Punchcard” means a tabulating card on which the voter may record his or her vote by punching, marking, or slotting.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

345.

“Punching” includes marking a ballot card to record a vote.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

346.

“Rebuttable presumption” shall be deemed a presumption which affects the burden of producing evidence.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

348.

“Regular election” is an election, the specific time for the holding of which is prescribed by law.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

349.

(a) “Residence” for voting purposes means a person’s domicile.

(b) The domicile of a person is that place in which his or her habitation is fixed, wherein the person has the intention of remaining, and to which, whenever he or she is absent, the person has the intention of returning. At a given time, a person may have only one domicile.

(c) The residence of a person is that place in which the person’s habitation is fixed for some period of time, but wherein he or she does not have the intention of remaining. At a given time, a person may have more than one residence.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

350.

“School measure” means any proposition, including but not limited to, a proposal for the issuance of bonds by a school district or community college district, an increase in the maximum tax rate of a school district or community college district, or the acceptance, expenditure, and repayment of state funds by a school district or community college district to enable the district to construct buildings and other facilities, submitted to the voters of the district at any election held in the district.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

351.

“School office” means the office filled by any school officer.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

352.

“School officer” means the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the superintendent of schools of a county.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

353.

“Section” means a section of this code unless some other statute is specifically mentioned.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

353.5.

The “semifinal official canvass” is the public process of collecting, processing, and tallying ballots and, for state or statewide elections, reporting results to the Secretary of State on election night. The semifinal official canvass may include some or all of the vote by mail and provisional vote totals.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2008.)

354.

“Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

354.5.

(a) “Signature” includes either of the following:

(1) A person’s mark if the name of the person affixing the mark is written near the mark by a witness over 18 years of age designated by the person and the designee subscribes his or her own name as a witness thereto. For purposes of this paragraph, a signature stamp may be used as a mark, provided that the authorized user complies with the provisions of this paragraph.

(2) An impression made by the use of a signature stamp pursuant to the requirements specified in subdivision (c).

(b) A mark attested as provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), or an impression made by a signature stamp as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), may serve as a signature for any purpose specified in this code, including a sworn statement.

(c) An authorized user of a signature stamp may use it to affix a signature to a document or writing any time that a signature is required by this code, provided that all of the following conditions, as applicable, are met:

(1) A signature stamp used to obtain a ballot or vote by mail ballot in any local, state, or federal election shall be used only by the authorized user of that signature stamp.

(2) A signature stamp shall be affixed by the authorized user in the presence of the Secretary of State, his or her designee, the local elections official, or his or her designee, to obtain a ballot, in any local, state, or federal election unless the authorized user of the signature stamp votes by vote by mail ballot. If the owner of a signature stamp votes by vote by mail ballot, he or she shall affix the signature stamp on the identification envelope in accordance with Section 3019.

(d) A signature affixed with a signature stamp by an authorized user in accordance with this section shall be treated in the same manner as a signature made in writing.

(e) A registered voter or any person who is eligible to vote, who qualifies as an authorized user pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (f), may use a signature stamp only after he or she first submits his or her affidavit of registration or a new affidavit of registration by one of the following means:

(1) Using the signature stamp to sign the affidavit in the presence of a county elections official.

(2) Submitting an affidavit pursuant to Section 2196 that utilizes a signature stamp that has been approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles and transmitted to the Secretary of State.

(f) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:

(1) “Authorized user” means either of the following:

(A) A person with a disability who, by reason of that disability, is unable to write and who owns a signature stamp.

(B) A person using the signature stamp on behalf of the owner of the stamp with the owner’s express consent and in the presence of the owner.

(2) “Disability” means a medical condition, mental disability, or physical disability, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (i), (j), and (l) of Section 12926 of the Government Code.

(3) “Signature stamp” means a stamp that contains the impression of any of the following:

(A) The actual signature of a person with a disability.

(B) A mark or symbol that is adopted by the person with the disability.

(C) A signature of the name of a person with a disability that is made by another person and is adopted by the person with the disability.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 151, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

355.

“Software” includes all programs, voting devices, cards, ballot cards or papers, operating manuals or instructions, test procedures, printouts, and other nonmechanical or nonelectrical items necessary to the operation of a voting system.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

356.

“Special election” is an election, the specific time for the holding of which is not prescribed by law.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

356.5.

“Spouse” includes “registered domestic partner,” as required by Section 297.5 of the Family Code.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 50, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 2017.)

357.

“Statewide election” is an election held throughout the state.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

358.

“Vote tabulating device” means any piece of equipment, other than a voting machine, that compiles a total of votes cast by means of ballot card sorting, ballot card reading, paper ballot scanning, electronic data processing, or a combination of that type of equipment.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

359.

“Voter” means any elector who is registered under this code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

359.5.

(a)  “Voter-nominated office” means a congressional or state elective office for which a candidate may choose to have his or her party preference or lack of party preference indicated upon the ballot. A political party or party central committee shall not nominate a candidate at a state-conducted primary election for a voter-nominated office. The primary conducted for a voter-nominated office does not serve to determine the nominees of a political party but serves to winnow the candidates for the general election to the candidates receiving the highest or second highest number of votes cast at the primary election. The following offices are voter-nominated offices:

(1) Governor.

(2) Lieutenant Governor.

(3) Secretary of State.

(4) Controller.

(5) Treasurer.

(6) Attorney General.

(7) Insurance Commissioner.

(8) Member of the State Board of Equalization.

(9) United States Senator.

(10) Member of the United States House of Representatives.

(11) State Senator.

(12) Member of the Assembly.

(b) This section does not prohibit a political party or party central committee from endorsing, supporting, or opposing a candidate for an office listed in subdivision (a).

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 4. Effective February 10, 2012.)

360.

“Voting device” means any device used in conjunction with a ballot card or cards to indicate the choice of the voter by marking, punching, or slotting the ballot card.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

361.

“Voting machine” means any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a precinct optical scanner and a direct recording voting system, into which a voter may enter his or her votes, and which, by means of electronic tabulation and generation of printouts or other tangible, human-readable records, furnishes a total of the number of votes cast for each candidate and for or against each measure.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 911, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

362.

“Voting system” means a mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic system and its software, or any combination of these used for casting a ballot, tabulating votes, or both. “Voting system” does not include a remote accessible vote by mail system.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 75, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2017.)

CHAPTER 1. Election Dates [1000 - 1003]

1000.

The established election dates are as follows:

(a) The second Tuesday of April in each even-numbered year.

(b) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year.

(c) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in each year.

(d) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each year.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 82. Effective January 1, 2017.)

1001.

Elections held in June and November of each even-numbered year are statewide elections and the dates of those elections are statewide election dates.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 138, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1002.

Except as provided in Section 1003, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, all state, county, municipal, district, and school district elections shall be held on an established election date.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 19. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1003.

This chapter shall not apply to the following:

(a) Any special election called by the Governor.

(b) Elections held in chartered cities or chartered counties in which the charter provisions are inconsistent with this chapter.

(c) School governing board elections consolidated pursuant to Section 1302.2 or initiated by petition pursuant to Section 5091 of the Education Code.

(d) Elections of any kind required or permitted to be held by a school district located in a chartered city or county when the election is consolidated with a regular city or county election held in a jurisdiction that includes 95 percent or more of the school district’s population.

(e) County, municipal, district, and school district initiative, referendum, or recall elections.

(f) Any election conducted solely by mailed ballot pursuant to Division 4 (commencing with Section 4000).

(g) Elections held pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 15100) of Chapter 1, or pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 15340) of Chapter 2 of, Part 10 of the Education Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1081, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001.)

CHAPTER 2. Election Day [1100- 1100.]

1100.

No election shall be held on any day other than a Tuesday, nor shall any election be held on the day before, the day of, or the day after, a state holiday.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 20. Effective September 30, 1996.)

CHAPTER 3. Statewide Elections [1200 - 1202]

1200.

The statewide general election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 21. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1201.

The statewide direct primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of each even-numbered year.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 2, Sec. 4. Effective March 15, 2007.)

1202.

The presidential primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in any year that is evenly divisible by the number four, and shall be consolidated with the statewide direct primary held in that year.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 138, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2012.)

CHAPTER 4. Local Elections [1300 - 1304]

1300.

Except as otherwise provided in the Government Code, an election to select county officers shall be held with the statewide primary at which candidates for Governor are nominated. In the event that county officers are not elected pursuant to Sections 8140 and 8141, this election shall be deemed a primary election and a county general election shall be held with the statewide general election to select county officers.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

1301.

(a) Except as required by Section 57379 of the Government Code, and except as provided in subdivision (b), a general municipal election shall be held on an established election date pursuant to Section 1000.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a city council may enact an ordinance, pursuant to Division 10 (commencing with Section 10000), requiring its general municipal election to be held on the day of the statewide direct primary election, the day of the statewide general election, the day of school district elections as set forth in Section 1302, the first Tuesday after the first Monday of March in each odd-numbered year, or the second Tuesday of April in each year. An ordinance adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall become operative upon approval by the county board of supervisors.

(2) In the event of consolidation, the general municipal election shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable procedural requirements of this code pertaining to that primary, general, or school district election, and shall thereafter occur in consolidation with that election.

(c) If a city adopts an ordinance described in subdivision (b), the municipal election following the adoption of the ordinance and each municipal election thereafter shall be conducted on the date specified by the city council, in accordance with subdivision (b), unless the ordinance in question is later repealed by the city council.

(d) If the date of a general municipal election is changed pursuant to subdivision (b), at least one election shall be held before the ordinance, as approved by the county board of supervisors, may be subsequently repealed or amended.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 83. Effective January 1, 2017.)

1302.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the regular election to select governing board members in any school district, community college district, or county board of education shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as provided in Section 1302.5, after the initial election of governing board members in any school district, community college district, or of members of a county board of education, the election of governing board members for the district or of members of the county board of education may be established, upon the adoption of an appropriate resolution by the governing board or the county board of education, respectively, to regularly occur on the same day as the statewide direct primary election, the statewide general election, or the general municipal election as set forth in Section 1301. The resolution shall become operative upon approval by the board of supervisors pursuant to Section 10404.5 or 10405.7, as applicable. If a school district, community college district, or county board of education is located in more than one county, the district may not consolidate an election if any county in which the district is located denies the request for consolidation.

(2) If the board of supervisors approves the resolution pursuant to Section 10404.5 or 10405.7, as applicable, the election of the governing board members of the school district or community college district or of members of the county board of education shall be conducted on the date specified by the board of supervisors, in accordance with paragraph (1), unless the approval is later rescinded by the board of supervisors.

(3) In the event of consolidation, the election of governing board members of the school district or community college district or of members of the county board of education shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable procedural requirements of the Elections Code pertaining to that primary, general, or municipal election, and shall thereafter occur in consolidation with that election.

(4) If the date of an election is changed pursuant to this section, at least one election shall be held before the resolution, as approved by the board of supervisors, may be subsequently repealed or amended.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 25. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1302.1.

In a community college district that includes the trustee areas authorized to be established pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 72022 of the Education Code, the consolidation of the election of trustees on the same date as the statewide general election pursuant to Section 1302 may be approved by any county or counties for the trustee areas located entirely within the county or counties. Approval by any county or counties in which the other trustee areas are located shall be deemed to meet the requirement of staggered terms set forth in Section 72022 of the Education Code.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 26. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1302.2.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when an elementary, unified, high school, or community college district includes within its boundaries the same territory, or territory that is in part the same, as a chartered city, the governing board member elections of the elementary, unified, high school, or community college district may be consolidated with the city election pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 10. The consolidation shall be effected by the officer conducting the election having jurisdiction of the elementary, unified, high school, or community college district, upon the written request of the governing board of the elementary, unified, high school, or community college district and with the written consent of the legislative body of the city. This section shall control in the event of any conflict with a prior order of the county superintendent of schools made pursuant to Section 5340 of the Education Code.

(b) When a high school district or community college district election is consolidated with that of a city pursuant to this section, and the high school district or community college district has within its boundaries component districts whose elections would otherwise be held on a date specified in this code, the elections in the component districts may be consolidated with the election in the high school district or community college district. The consolidation shall be effected by the officer conducting the election having jurisdiction of the component districts upon the written request of the governing boards thereof and with the written consent of the governing boards of the districts whose governing board member elections are to be consolidated with those of the component districts.

(c) Successors to incumbents holding office upon the effective date of this section, who in the absence of this section would have been elected at a different time, shall be chosen for office at the election nearest the time the terms of office of the incumbents would have otherwise expired. If an incumbent’s term of office is extended because of this section, he or she shall hold office until a successor qualifies for the office, but in no event shall the term of an incumbent be extended to more than four years.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 27. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1302.3.

An annual election for members of the board of education shall be held in each unified district that is coterminous with or includes in its boundaries all or any portion of a chartered city or city and county the charter of which provides for a board of education, of five members with five-year terms, with the term of one member expiring each year. The election shall be held annually on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The election shall be called by the county superintendent of schools and conducted in substantially the same manner as prescribed by Section 5000 of the Education Code.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 28. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1302.4.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a regular election for members of the Long Beach Community College District governing board may be held, upon the adoption of an appropriate resolution by the governing board, on the same date upon which the election for members of the City Board of Education of the Long Beach Unified School District is held pursuant to the City Charter of the City of Long Beach and Article 3 (commencing with Section 5340) of Chapter 3 of the Education Code.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 29. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1302.5.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon recommendation of the county superintendent of schools and with the approval of the county board of supervisors, the election of governing board members of school districts whose boundaries are coterminous with the boundaries of the county, shall be consolidated with the November general election pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 10.

(1) The terms of members of the governing board elected pursuant to this section shall begin at noon on the first Monday after the first day in January following the general election and shall end at noon on the first Monday after the first day in January four years thereafter.

(2) The terms of members of the governing board expiring on March 31 of any odd-numbered year next succeeding any general election shall expire at noon on the first Monday after the first day in January following the general election.

(b) When the term of an incumbent expires at midnight on March 31 of an odd-numbered year and no successor has been elected because of the provisions of subdivision (a), the members of the board whose terms have not expired shall appoint a successor to serve until a successor is elected and qualifies pursuant to subdivision (a).

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 30. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1303.

(a) Unless the principal act of a district provides that an election shall be held on one of the other dates specified in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 1, or except as provided in Section 1500, or except as provided in subdivision (b), a general district election to elect members of the governing board shall be held in each special district subject to Division 10 (commencing with Section 10000) on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a governing body of a special district may require, by resolution, that its elections of governing body members be held on the same day as the statewide general election. The resolution shall become operative upon the approval of the board of supervisors pursuant to Section 10404.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 810, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2004.)

1304.

Unless the principal act of a district provides that an election shall be held on one of the other dates specified in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 1, a general district election shall be held in each district on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each odd-numbered year to choose a successor for each elective officer the term of whose office will expire on the following first Friday in December.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 5. Special Elections [1400 - 1415]

1400.

Each special election shall be held on one of the established election dates set by this division or on the date of any statewide special election except as provided in Section 1003.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

1405.

(a) Except as provided below, the election for a county, municipal, or district initiative that qualifies pursuant to Section 9116, 9214, or 9310 shall be held not less than 88 nor more than 103 days after the date of the order of election.

(1) When it is legally possible to hold a special election on an initiative measure that has qualified pursuant to Section 9116, 9214, or 9310 within 180 days prior to a regular or special election occurring wholly or partially within the same territory, the election on the initiative measure may be held on the same date as, and be consolidated with, that regular or special election.

(2) When it is legally possible to hold a special election on an initiative measure that has qualified pursuant to Section 9116, 9214, or 9310 during the period between a regularly scheduled statewide direct primary election and a regularly scheduled statewide general election in the same year, the election on the initiative measure may be held on the same date as, and be consolidated with, the statewide general election.

(3) To avoid holding more than one special election within any 180-day period, the date for holding the special election on an initiative measure that has qualified pursuant to Section 9116, 9214, or 9310, may be fixed later than 103 days but at as early a date as practicable after the expiration of 180 days from the last special election.

(4) Not more than one special election for an initiative measure that qualifies pursuant to Section 9116, 9214, or 9310 may be held by a jurisdiction during any period of 180 days.

(b) The election for a county initiative that qualifies pursuant to Section 9118 shall be held at the next statewide election occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election. The election for a municipal or district initiative that qualifies pursuant to Section 9215 or 9311 shall be held at the jurisdiction’s next regular election occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 664, Sec. 73. Effective January 1, 2003.)

1410.

The election for a county or municipal referendum that qualifies pursuant to Section 9144 or 9237 shall be held at the jurisdiction’s next regular election occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election or at a special election called for that purpose not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 33. Effective September 30, 1996.)

1415.

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a city or city and county charter proposal proposed by the governing body of a city or city and county on its own motion that qualifies pursuant to Section 9255 shall be submitted to the voters at the next established statewide general election pursuant to Section 1200 occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election.

(2) The governing body of a city or city and county may direct that either of the following be submitted to the voters at the next regularly scheduled general municipal election pursuant to Section 1301, or at any established statewide general or statewide primary election pursuant to Section 1200 or 1201, occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election:

(A) A charter proposal that proposes to amend a charter in a manner that does not alter any procedural or substantive protection, right, benefit, or employment status of any local government employee or retiree or of any local government employee organization.

(B) A charter proposal that proposes to amend a charter solely to comply with a court injunction or consent decree or with federal or state voting rights laws.

(b) A city or city and county charter proposal that proposes to amend or repeal a charter and is proposed by a petition signed by 15 percent of the registered voters of a city or 10 percent of the registered voters of a city and county, pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 9255, shall be submitted to the voters at the next regularly scheduled general municipal election pursuant to Section 1301, or at any established statewide general or statewide primary election pursuant to Section 1200 or 1201, occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 184, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

CHAPTER 6. Mail Ballot Elections [1500- 1500.]

1500.

The established mailed ballot election dates are as follows:

(a) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in May of each year.

(b) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each even-numbered year.

(c) The last Tuesday in August of each year.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 817, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2005.)

CHAPTER 2.5. Online Voter Registration [2196 - 2198]

2196.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a person who is qualified to register to vote and who has a valid California driver’s license or state identification card may submit an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State.

(2) An affidavit submitted pursuant to this section is effective upon receipt of the affidavit by the Secretary of State if the affidavit is received on or before the last day to register for an election to be held in the precinct of the person submitting the affidavit.

(3) The affiant shall affirmatively attest to the truth of the information provided in the affidavit.

(4) For voter registration purposes, the applicant shall affirmatively assent to the use of his or her signature from his or her driver’s license or state identification card.

(5) For each electronic affidavit, the Secretary of State shall obtain an electronic copy of the applicant’s signature from his or her driver’s license or state identification card directly from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(6) The Secretary of State shall require a person who submits an affidavit pursuant to this section to submit all of the following:

(A) The number from his or her California driver’s license or state identification card.

(B) His or her date of birth.

(C) The last four digits of his or her social security number.

(D) Any other information the Secretary of State deems necessary to establish the identity of the affiant.

(7) Upon submission of an affidavit pursuant to this section, the electronic voter registration system shall provide for immediate verification of both of the following:

(A) That the applicant has a California driver’s license or state identification card and that the number for that driver’s license or identification card provided by the applicant matches the number for that person’s driver’s license or identification card that is on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(B) That the date of birth provided by the applicant matches the date of birth for that person that is on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(8) The Secretary of State shall employ security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of affidavits of voter registration submitted electronically pursuant to this section.

(b) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall use the electronic voter registration system required by this section to comply with its duties and responsibilities as a voter registration agency pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(c) The Department of Motor Vehicles and the Secretary of State shall maintain a process and the infrastructure to allow the electronic copy of the applicant’s signature and other information required under this section that is in the possession of the department to be transferred to the Secretary of State and to the county election management systems to allow a person who is qualified to register to vote in California to register to vote under this section.

(d) If an applicant cannot electronically submit the information required pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (a), he or she shall nevertheless be able to complete the affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site, print a hard copy of the completed affidavit, and mail or deliver the hard copy of the completed affidavit to the Secretary of State or the appropriate county elections official.

(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 54) by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 87. Effective January 1, 2017. Note: The prior amendment by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, became operative on September 26, 2016 (when the Secretary of State issued the certification prescribed by Sec. 88 of Ch. 728) and deleted the condition in former subd. (e) that restricted the operation of Chapter 2.5 (Sections 2196 to 2198).)

2197.

No later than July 1, 2014, the California Health Benefit Exchange shall implement a process and the infrastructure to allow a person who applies online with the California Health Benefit Exchange for service or assistance, or who submits a recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to the service or assistance online, to submit an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State in accordance with this chapter.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 505, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2013. Section operative September 26, 2016, when Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, amended Section 2196 and deleted its condition in former subd. (e) that restricted the operation of Chapter 2.5 (Sections 2196 to 2198).)

2198.

Each Internet Web site maintained by the state shall include a hyperlink on the site’s homepage to the online voter registration page of the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 277, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014. Section operative September 26, 2016, when Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, amended Section 2196 and deleted its condition in former subd. (e) that restricted the operation of Chapter 2.5 (Sections 2196 to 2198).)

CHAPTER 4. Motor Voter [2250- 2250.]

2250.

On and after July 1, 2007, in any document mailed by a state agency that offers a person the opportunity to register to vote pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) that state agency shall include a notice informing prospective voters that if they have not received voter registration information within 30 days of requesting it, they should contact their local elections office or the office of the Secretary of State.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 88. Effective January 1, 2017.)

CHAPTER 4.5. California New Motor Voter Program [2260 - 2270]

2260.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the California New Motor Voter Program.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 729, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2261.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Voter registration is one of the biggest barriers to participation in our democracy.

(b) In 1993, Congress enacted the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.), commonly known as the “Motor Voter Law,” with findings recognizing that the right of citizens to vote is a fundamental right; it is the duty of federal, state, and local governments to promote the exercise of the right to vote; and the primary purpose of the act is to increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact the California New Motor Voter Program to provide California citizens additional opportunities to participate in democracy through exercise of their fundamental right to vote.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 729, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2262.

(a) The Secretary of State and the Department of Motor Vehicles shall establish the California New Motor Voter Program for the purpose of increasing opportunities for voter registration by any person who is qualified to be a voter under Section 2 of Article II of the California Constitution.

(b) This chapter shall not be construed as requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to determine eligibility for voter registration and voting. The Secretary of State is solely responsible for determining eligibility for voter registration and voting.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 729, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2263.

(a) The Department of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall establish a schedule and method for the department to electronically provide to the Secretary of State the records specified in this section.

(b) (1) The department shall provide to the Secretary of State, in a manner and method to be determined by the department in consultation with the Secretary of State, the following information associated with each person who submits an application for a driver’s license or identification card pursuant to Section 12800, 12815, or 13000 of the Vehicle Code, or who notifies the department of a change of address pursuant to Section 14600 of the Vehicle Code:

(A) Name.

(B) Date of birth.

(C) Either or both of the following, as contained in the department’s records:

(i) Residence address.

(ii) Mailing address.

(D) Digitized signature, as described in Section 12950.5 of the Vehicle Code.

(E) Telephone number, if available.

(F) Email address, if available.

(G) Language preference.

(H) Political party preference.

(I) Whether the person chooses to become a permanent vote by mail voter.

(J) Whether the person affirmatively declined to become registered to vote during a transaction with the department.

(K) A notation that the applicant has attested that he or she meets all voter eligibility requirements, including United States citizenship, specified in Section 2101.

(L) Other information specified in regulations implementing this chapter.

(2) (A) The department may provide the records described in paragraph (1) to the Secretary of State before the Secretary of State certifies that all of the conditions set forth in subdivision (e) of this section have been satisfied. Records provided pursuant to this paragraph shall only be used for purposes of outreach and education to eligible voters conducted by the Secretary of State.

(B) The Secretary shall provide materials created for purposes of outreach and education as described in this paragraph in languages other than English, as required by the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503).

(c) The Secretary of State shall not sell, transfer, or allow any third party access to the information acquired from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to this chapter without approval of the department, except as permitted by this chapter and Section 2194.

(d) The department shall not electronically provide records of a person who applies for or is issued a driver’s license pursuant to Section 12801.9 of the Vehicle Code because he or she is unable to submit satisfactory proof that his or her presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.

(e) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall commence implementation of this section no later than one year after the Secretary of State certifies all of the following:

(1) The State has a statewide voter registration database that complies with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.).

(2) The Legislature has appropriated the funds necessary for the Secretary of State and the Department of Motor Vehicles to implement and maintain the California New Motor Voter Program.

(3) The regulations required by Section 2270 have been adopted.

(f) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not electronically provide records pursuant to this section that contain a home address designated as confidential pursuant to Section 1808.2, 1808.4, or 1808.6 of the Vehicle Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 89. Effective January 1, 2017.)

2264.

(a) The willful, unauthorized disclosure of information obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Section 2263 to any person, or the use of any false representation to obtain any of that information or the use of any of that information for a purpose other than as stated in Section 2263, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or both fine and imprisonment.

(b) The Secretary of State shall establish procedures to protect the confidentiality of the information acquired from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Section 2263. The disclosure of this information shall be governed by the Information Practices Act of 1977 (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1798) of Title 1.8 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code), and the Secretary of State shall account for any disclosures, including those due to security breaches, in accordance with that act.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 729, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2265.

(a) The records of a person designated in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2263 shall constitute a completed affidavit of registration and the Secretary of State shall register the person to vote, unless any of the following conditions is satisfied:

(1) The person’s records, as described in Section 2263, reflect that he or she affirmatively declined to become registered to vote during a transaction with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(2) The person’s records, as described in Section 2263, do not reflect that he or she has attested to meeting all voter eligibility requirements specified in Section 2101.

(3) The Secretary of State determines that the person is ineligible to vote.

(b) If a person who is registered to vote pursuant to this chapter does not provide a party preference, his or her party preference shall be designated as “Unknown” on a voter registration index under Article 5 (commencing with Section 2180) of Chapter 2, and he or she shall otherwise be treated as a “No Party Preference” voter.

(c) If the Secretary of State receives from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2263 the records of a person who is currently registered to vote, the Secretary of State shall use the information in the records to update the voter’s registration information. If the Secretary of State does not receive information for the voter pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2263 for which space is provided on the affidavit of registration, but that information was provided in the voter’s previous affidavit of registration, the information from the voter’s previous affidavit of registration shall remain part of the voter’s record.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 417, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2017.)

2266.

A person registered to vote under this chapter may cancel his or her voter registration at any time by any method available to any other registered voter.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 729, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2267.

This chapter does not affect the confidentiality of a person’s voter registration information, which remains confidential pursuant to Section 2194 of this code and Section 6254.4 of the Government Code and for all of the following persons:

(a) A victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking pursuant to Section 2166.5.

(b) A reproductive health care service provider, employee, volunteer, or patient pursuant to Section 2166.5.

(c) A public safety officer pursuant to Section 2166.7.

(d) A person with a life-threatening circumstance upon court order pursuant to Section 2166.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 729, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2268.

If a person who is ineligible to vote becomes registered to vote pursuant to this chapter in the absence of a violation by that person of Section 18100, that person’s registration shall be presumed to have been effected with official authorization and not the fault of that person.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 729, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2269.

If a person who is ineligible to vote becomes registered to vote pursuant to this chapter and votes or attempts to vote in an election held after the effective date of the person’s registration, that person shall be presumed to have acted with official authorization and shall not be guilty of fraudulently voting or attempting to vote pursuant to Section 18560, unless that person willfully votes or attempts to vote knowing that he or she is not entitled to vote.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 729, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2270.

The Secretary of State shall adopt regulations to implement this chapter, including regulations addressing both of the following:

(a) A process for canceling the registration of a person who is ineligible to vote, but became registered under the California New Motor Voter Program in the absence of any violation by that person of Section 18100.

(b) An education and outreach campaign informing voters about the California New Motor Voter Program that the Secretary of State will conduct to implement this chapter. The Secretary of State may use any public and private funds available for this and shall provide materials created for this outreach and education campaign in languages other than English, as required by the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503).

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 91. Effective January 1, 2017.)

CHAPTER 5. Voter Bill of Rights [2300 - 2301]

2300.

(a) All voters, pursuant to the California Constitution and this code, shall be citizens of the United States. There shall be a Voter Bill of Rights for voters, available to the public, which shall convey all of the following to voters:

(1) (A) You have the right to cast a ballot if you are a valid registered voter.

(B) A valid registered voter means a United States citizen who is a resident in this state, who is at least 18 years of age and not in prison or on parole for conviction of a felony, and who is registered to vote at his or her current residence address.

(2) You have the right to cast a provisional ballot if your name is not listed on the voting rolls.

(3) You have the right to cast a ballot if you are present and in line at the polling place before the close of the polls.

(4) You have the right to cast a secret ballot free from intimidation.

(5) (A) You have the right to receive a new ballot if, before casting your ballot, you believe you made a mistake.

(B) If at any time before you finally cast your ballot, you feel you have made a mistake, you have the right to exchange the spoiled ballot for a new ballot. Vote by mail voters may also request and receive a new ballot if they return their spoiled ballot to an elections official before the closing of the polls on election day.

(6) You have the right to receive assistance in casting your ballot, if you are unable to vote without assistance.

(7) You have the right to return a completed vote by mail ballot to any precinct in the county.

(8) You have the right to election materials in another language, if there are sufficient residents in your precinct to warrant production.

(9) (A) You have the right to ask questions about election procedures and observe the election process.

(B) You have the right to ask questions of the precinct board and elections officials regarding election procedures and to receive an answer or be directed to the appropriate official for an answer. However, if persistent questioning disrupts the execution of their duties, the precinct board or elections officials may discontinue responding to questions.

(10) You have the right to report any illegal or fraudulent activity to a local elections official or to the Secretary of State’s office.

(b) Beneath the Voter Bill of Rights there shall be listed a toll-free telephone number to call if a person has been denied a voting right or to report election fraud or misconduct.

(c) The Secretary of State may do both of the following:

(1) Develop regulations to implement and clarify the Voter Bill of Rights set forth in subdivision (a).

(2) Revise the wording of the Voter Bill of Rights as necessary to ensure the use of clear and concise language free from technical terms.

(d) The Voter Bill of Rights set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be made available to the public before each election and on election day, at a minimum, as follows:

(1) The Voter Bill of Rights shall be printed in the state voter information guide, pursuant to Section 9084, in a minimum of 12-point type. Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (a), and subparagraph (B) of paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) may be printed in a smaller point type than the rest of the Voter Bill of Rights.

(2) Posters or other printed materials containing the Voter Bill of Rights shall be included in precinct supplies pursuant to Section 14105.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2017.)

2301.

(a) An international election observer may be provided uniform and nondiscriminatory access to all stages of the election process that are open to the public, including the public review period for the certification of a ballot marking system, the processing and counting of vote by mail ballots, the canvassing of ballots, and the recounting of ballots. An international election observer shall not interfere with a voter in the preparation or casting of the voter's ballot, with a precinct board member or an elections official in the performance of his or her duties, or with the orderly conduct of an election.

(b) For purposes of this section, “international election observer” means a person who witnesses the administration of an election in this state and who is an official representative of an international organization such as the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or the Organization of American States.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 822, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2017.)

CHAPTER 6. Voter Registration Agencies [2400 - 2408]

2400.

It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this chapter, to facilitate compliance with the requirements set forth in the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) relating to voter registration services.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2401.

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Voter preference form” means the form described in Section 20506(a)(6)(B) of Title 52 of the United States Code.

(b) “Voter registration agency” means either of the following:

(1) A department, division, or office of state or local government, or a program supported by state funds, that is designated by executive order of the Governor or pursuant to the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) as a voter registration agency.

(2) A private entity under contract with a designated voter registration agency to provide services or assistance on behalf of the designated voter registration agency.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2402.

(a) The Secretary of State is the chief state elections official responsible for coordination of the state’s responsibilities under the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(b) The Secretary of State shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to implement this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2403.

(a) A voter registration agency shall comply with the applicable duties and responsibilities of a voter registration agency set forth in the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(b) A voter registration agency, with each application for service or assistance and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to the service or assistance, and in accordance with the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.), shall provide to an applicant all of the following:

(1) A voter preference form.

(2) A voter registration card, unless the applicant, in writing, declines to register to vote.

(3) Assistance in completing the voter registration card, unless the applicant refuses the assistance.

(c) For purposes of subdivision (b), an applicant’s failure to respond to the question of whether he or she would like to register to vote does not constitute a declination to register.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2404.

(a) The Secretary of State shall do all of the following:

(1) Coordinate with each county elections official and voter registration agency to implement this chapter.

(2) Prepare written training materials that describe the responsibilities of a county elections official and voter registration agency pursuant to this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(3) Contact a voter registration agency if the agency is not complying with the requirements of this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(4) Coordinate with each state agency that evaluates the performance of an agency designated as a voter registration agency, including doing both of the following:

(A) Communicate to the state agency the requirements of, and best practices for complying with, this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(B) Assist the state agency in its effort to help a voter registration agency comply with the requirements of this chapter or the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(b) The Secretary of State may do any of the following:

(1) Conduct a review of a voter registration agency’s compliance with the requirements of this chapter or the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(2) Conduct a review of a county elections official’s compliance with the requirements of this chapter or the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.) if the county elections official fails to timely submit a report pursuant to Section 2407, or if a report indicates that the county elections official is not complying with the requirements of this chapter or the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(3) Post the results of a review conducted pursuant to this subdivision on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2405.

(a) A county elections official shall be responsible for coordinating with the Secretary of State and each applicable voter registration agency within the county to administer the voter registration services required pursuant to this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(b) The county elections official shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide voter registration cards to a voter registration agency upon request of the voter registration agency.

(2) Maintain a record of the number of voter registration cards provided to and received from each voter registration agency, and each office or site of the voter registration agency.

(3) Assist a voter registration agency, upon request, in conducting a training program for its employees based on the training materials prepared by the Secretary of State on the requirements of this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 20. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2406.

(a) A voter registration agency shall do all of the following:

(1) Notify the county elections official of each applicable county of the location of each of the voter registration agency’s offices or sites within the county.

(2) Designate an agency employee to be responsible for the agency’s compliance with this section.

(3) Request voter registration cards from the applicable county elections official, as needed.

(4) Take steps to ensure that the voter registration agency, and each office or site of the voter registration agency, has a sufficient supply of voter preference forms and voter registration cards available, including voter preference forms and voter registration cards in all languages required by Section 203 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) or Section 4(f)(4) (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10303(f)(4)) of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(5) Ensure that each employee of the voter registration agency who may provide voter registration services completes, at least once per year, a training based on the training materials prepared by the Secretary of State on the requirements of this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.). The voter registration agency may incorporate this training into any other training program provided by the voter registration agency for its employees.

(b) A voter registration agency may conduct a review of the agency, or an office or site of the agency, as necessary, to ensure compliance with this chapter and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20501 et seq.).

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 2016.)

2407.

Within 10 days after the beginning of each calendar month, a county elections official shall report to the Secretary of State, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State, the number of voter registration cards received from each voter registration agency and from each office or site thereof. The Secretary of State shall post the information contained in each report received from a county elections official on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 505, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2013.)

2408.

(a) A voter registration agency that allows a person to apply online for service or assistance, or to submit a recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to the service or assistance online, shall implement a process and infrastructure that allows an applicant to electronically submit a voter preference form to the voter registration agency, and to submit an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State in accordance with Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2196).

(b) If a person indicates on his or her electronic voter preference form that he or she would like to register to vote, the person shall be informed that he or she may register to vote through one of the following options, if applicable:

(1) Submit an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 2196.

(2) Complete an affidavit of voter registration electronically on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site, print a hard copy of the completed affidavit, and mail or deliver the hard copy of the completed affidavit to the Secretary of State or the appropriate county elections official pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2196.

(c) A voter registration agency may take steps to ensure that the information entered into a person’s electronic application for service or assistance, or his or her electronic recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to the service or assistance, will be automatically transferred to the electronic affidavit of voter registration if the person indicates that he or she would like to register to vote.

(d) The Secretary of State shall take steps to ensure that the electronic affidavit of voter registration is available, and may be electronically submitted and verified, in all languages in which a county is required to provide voting materials pursuant to Section 203 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) or Section 4(f)(4) (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10303(f)(4)) of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 22. Effective January 1, 2016.)

CHAPTER 7. Election Management Systems [2500 - 2550]

2500.

As used in this chapter, an “election management system” is a system that is used by a county in the state to track voter registration or voter preferences, including, for example, a voter’s vote-by-mail status.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 268, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

2501.

(a) No later than January 31, 2014, and annually thereafter, the vendor of an election management system shall cause an exact copy of the source code for each component of the election management system, including complete build and configuration instructions and related documents for compiling the source code into object code, to be deposited into an approved escrow facility. The vendor shall place in escrow source codes for each version of the election management system in use in a county in the state.

(b) The Secretary of State shall adopt regulations relating to all of the following:

(1) The definition of source code components of an election management system, including source code for all firmware and software of the election management system. Firmware and software shall include commercial off-the-shelf or other third-party firmware and software that is available and able to be disclosed by the vendor of the election management system.

(2) Specifications for the escrow facility, including security and environmental specifications necessary for the preservation of the election management system source codes.

(3) Procedures for submitting election management system source codes.

(4) Criteria for access to election management system source codes.

(5) Requirements for the vendor to include in the materials deposited in escrow build and configuration instructions and documents so that a neutral third party may create, from the source codes in escrow, executable object codes identical to the code installed on the election management system.

(c) The Secretary of State shall have reasonable access to the materials placed in escrow, under the following circumstances:

(1) In the course of an investigation or prosecution regarding election management system equipment or procedures.

(2) Upon a finding by the Secretary of State that an escrow facility or escrow company is unable or unwilling to maintain materials in escrow in compliance with this section.

(3) For any other purpose deemed necessary to fulfill the provisions of this code or Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.

(d) The Secretary of State may seek injunctive relief requiring the elections officials, approved escrow facility, or any vendor or manufacturer of an election management system to comply with this section and related regulations. Venue for a proceeding under this section shall be exclusively in Sacramento County.

(e) This section applies to all elections.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 268, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

2550.

(a) For purposes of this section, “electronic poll book” means an electronic list of registered voters that may be transported to the polling location. An electronic poll book shall contain all of the following voter registration data:

(1) Name.

(2) Address.

(3) Precinct.

(4) Party preference.

(5) Whether or not the voter has been issued a vote by mail ballot.

(6) Whether or not the vote by mail ballot has been recorded as received by the elections official.

(b) An electronic poll book shall not be used unless it has been certified by the Secretary of State.

(c) The Secretary of State shall adopt and publish electronic poll book standards and regulations governing the certification and use of electronic poll books.

(d) The Secretary of State shall not certify an electronic poll book unless it fulfills the requirements of this section and the Secretary of State’s standards and regulations.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 734, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

CHAPTER 8. Language Accessibility [2600- 2600.]

2600.

The Secretary of State shall establish a Language Accessibility Advisory Committee which shall meet no less than four times each calendar year. The committee shall consist of no less than 15 members and be comprised of the Secretary of State and his or her designee or designees and additional members appointed by the Secretary of State. The appointees shall have demonstrated language accessibility experience, have knowledge of presenting election materials to voters using plain language methods or another method that is easy for voters to access and understand, or be a county elections official or his or her designee. At least three county elections officials shall be appointed to the committee. The Secretary of State shall consult with and consider the recommendations of the committee. The committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of State.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 92. Effective January 1, 2017.)

CHAPTER 1. Vote by Mail Application and Voting Procedures [3000 - 3026]

3000.

This division shall be liberally construed in favor of the vote by mail voter.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3001.

Except as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 3200) and Sections 3007.5, 3007.7, and 3007.8, application for a vote by mail voter’s ballot shall be made in writing to the elections official having jurisdiction over the election between the 29th and the 7th day prior to the election. The application shall be signed by the applicant and shall show his or her place of residence. Any applications received by the elections official prior to the 29th day shall be kept and processed during the application period.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 501, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

3002.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 3001, a person granted confidentiality pursuant to Section 2166 shall be considered a vote by mail voter.

(b) The provisions of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 3200) relating to permanent vote by mail voters shall apply so far as they may be consistent with this section and Section 2166.

(c) All persons granted confidentiality pursuant to Section 2166 shall (1) be required to vote by mail ballot, and (2) in addition to the required residence address, provide a valid mailing address to the county elections official to be used in place of the residence address.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3003.

The vote by mail ballot shall be available to any registered voter.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3004.

A county elections official shall place a notice in an office within the county where applications are taken for federal passports or where military enlistments are received to inform potential military or overseas voters of their right to a vote by mail voter’s ballot and where to obtain registration materials and application forms.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 560, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2014.)

3005.

Whenever, on the 88th day before the election, there are 250 or less persons registered to vote in any precinct, the elections official may furnish each voter with a vote by mail ballot along with a statement that there will be no polling place for the election. The elections official shall also notify each voter of the location of the two nearest polling places in the event the voter chooses to return the ballot on election day. The voter shall not be required to file an application for the vote by mail ballot and the ballot shall be sent as soon as the ballots are available.

No precinct shall be divided in order to conform to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3006.

(a) A printed application that is to be distributed to a voter for requesting a vote by mail voter’s ballot shall inform the voter that the application for the vote by mail voter’s ballot must be received by the elections official not later than seven days prior to the date of the election and shall contain spaces for the following:

(1) The printed name and residence address of the voter as it appears on the affidavit of registration.

(2) The address to which the ballot is to be mailed.

(3) The voter’s signature.

(4) The name and date of the election for which the request is to be made.

(b) (1) The information required by paragraphs (1) and (4) of subdivision (a) may be preprinted on the application. The information required by paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) shall be personally affixed by the voter.

(2) An address, as required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), may not be the address of a political party, a political campaign headquarters, or a candidate’s residence. However, a candidate, his or her spouse, immediate family members, and any other voter who shares the same residence address as the candidate may request that a vote by mail ballot be mailed to the candidate’s residence address.

(3) An application that contains preprinted information shall contain a conspicuously printed statement substantially similar to the following: “You have the legal right to mail or deliver this application directly to the local elections official of the county where you reside.”

(4) A printed vote by mail application that allows a voter to submit the application by mail shall inform the voter of the address for the elections official and specify that address as the only appropriate destination address for mailing the application. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit an individual, organization, or group that distributes applications for vote by mail voter ballots from collecting or receiving applications from voters, as described in Section 3008, by means other than having the applications mailed directly to the address of the distributing individual, organization, or group.

(c) The application shall inform the voter that if he or she has declined to disclose a preference for a political party, the voter may request a vote by mail ballot for a particular political party for the partisan primary election, if that political party has adopted a party rule, duly noticed to the Secretary of State, authorizing that vote. The application shall contain a toll-free telephone number, established by the Secretary of State, that the voter may call to access information regarding which political parties have adopted such a rule. The application shall contain a checkoff box with a conspicuously printed statement that reads substantially similar to the following: “I have declined to disclose a preference for a qualified political party. However, for this primary election only, I request a vote by mail ballot for the _____ Party.” The name of the political party shall be personally affixed by the voter.

(d) The application shall provide the voter with information concerning the procedure for establishing permanent vote by mail voter status, and the basis upon which permanent vote by mail voter status is claimed.

(e) The application shall be attested to by the voter as to the truth and correctness of its content, and shall be signed under penalty of perjury.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 596, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

3007.

The Secretary of State shall prepare and distribute to appropriate elections officials a uniform application format for a vote by mail voter’s ballot that conforms to this chapter. This format shall be followed by all individuals, organizations, and groups who distribute applications for a vote by mail voter’s ballot. The uniform format need not be used by elections officials in preparing a vote by mail voter’s ballot application to be included with the county voter information guide.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3007.5.

(a) The Secretary of State shall prepare and distribute to appropriate elections officials a uniform electronic application format for a vote by mail voter’s ballot that conforms to this section.

(b) The uniform electronic application shall inform the voter that the application for the vote by mail voter’s ballot must be received by the elections official not later than seven days prior to the date of the election and shall contain spaces for at least the following information:

(1) The name and residence address of the registered voter as it appears on the affidavit of registration.

(2) The address to which the ballot is to be mailed.

(3) The name and date of the election for which the request is made.

(4) The date of birth of the registered voter.

(c) The uniform electronic application shall inform the voter that if he or she has declined to disclose a preference for a political party, the voter may request a vote by mail ballot for a particular political party for the partisan primary election, if that political party has adopted a party rule, duly noticed to the Secretary of State, authorizing that vote. The application shall contain a toll-free telephone number, established by the Secretary of State, that the voter may call to access information regarding which political parties have adopted such a rule. The application shall list the parties that have notified the Secretary of State of the adoption of such a rule. The application shall contain a checkoff box with a conspicuously printed statement that reads substantially similar to the following: “I have declined to disclose a preference for a qualified political party. However, for this primary election only, I request a vote by mail ballot for the __ Party.” The name of the political party shall be personally affixed by the voter.

(d) The uniform electronic application shall contain a conspicuously printed statement substantially similar to the following: “Only the registered voter himself or herself may apply for a vote by mail ballot. An application for a vote by mail ballot made by a person other than the registered voter is a criminal offense.”

(e) The uniform electronic application shall include a statement substantially similar to the following: “A ballot will not be sent to you if this application is incomplete or inaccurate.”

(f) The uniform electronic application format shall not permit the form to be electronically submitted unless all of the information required to complete the application is contained in the appropriate fields.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 9. Effective February 10, 2012.)

3007.7.

(a) The local elections official may offer a voter the ability to electronically apply for a vote by mail voter’s ballot. If the local elections official offers the uniform electronic application, the electronic application shall be in an interactive Internet format to be completed through the local elections official’s secure Internet Web site and may not be a downloadable form. The nondownloadable form shall be of a format that would allow the registered voter making an application for a vote by mail voter’s ballot to enter the required information and submit the single form directly to the elections official’s secure Internet Web site. The local elections official shall make every effort to ensure the security of the submitted information.

(b) Upon receiving an electronic vote by mail ballot application that contains the required information within the proper time, the elections official shall check the information provided against the voter’s information on file. If the elections official deems the applicant entitled to a vote by mail voter’s ballot, the elections official shall deliver the appropriate vote by mail voter’s ballot by mail or in person.

(c) If the elections official determines that an electronic vote by mail ballot application does not contain all of the required information, or for any other reason is defective, and the elections official is able to ascertain the voter’s address, the elections official may not mail the voter a vote by mail voter’s ballot, but shall mail the voter a notice of defect. The notice of defect shall do both of the following:

(1) Specifically inform the voter of the information that is required or the reason for the defect in the application.

(2) State the procedure necessary to remedy the defective application.

(d) An address, as required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 3007.5, may not be the address of any political party, a political campaign headquarters, or a candidate’s residence. However, a candidate, his or her spouse, immediate family members, and any other voter who shares the same residence address as the candidate may request that a vote by mail ballot be mailed to the candidate’s residence address.

(e) Except as provided in Section 3007.5 and this section, all other sections of this code pertaining to vote by mail voter applications, submissions, deadlines, and canvassing shall apply to electronic vote by mail ballot applications and applicants.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3007.8.

(a) A local elections official may offer a voter the ability to apply for a vote by mail voter’s ballot by telephone.

(b) To apply by telephone, the applicant shall provide to the elections official personal identifying information that matches the information contained on the applicant’s affidavit of registration, including first and last name, home address, and date of birth. The applicant’s signature shall not be required.

(c) A person shall not apply for a vote by mail voter’s ballot pursuant to this section using the name of, or on behalf of, another person.

(d) Prior to being asked for personal identifying information, an applicant applying for a vote by mail voter’s ballot pursuant to this section shall be advised as follows:

“Only the registered voter himself or herself may apply for a vote by mail ballot. An application for a vote by mail ballot that is made by any person other than the registered voter is a criminal offense.”

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all provisions of this code governing written applications for vote by mail voters’ ballots shall apply to applications made by telephone.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 71, Sec. 49. Effective January 1, 2015.)

3008.

(a) Any individual, organization, or group that distributes applications for vote by mail voter ballots and receives completed application forms shall return the forms to the appropriate elections official within 72 hours of receiving the completed forms, or before the deadline for application, whichever is sooner. The name, address, and telephone number of any organization that authorizes the distribution of the applications shall be included on the application.

(b) Any application for a vote by mail voter’s ballot that is sent by an individual, group, or organization to a voter shall be nonforwardable. Any vote by mail voter’s ballot that is returned to an elections official as undeliverable shall not be forwarded by the elections official.

(c) A person may not submit a vote by mail ballot application electronically for another registered voter.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 22. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3009.

(a) Upon receipt of any vote by mail ballot application signed by the voter that arrives within the proper time, the elections official should determine if the signature and residence address on the ballot application appear to be the same as that on the original affidavit of registration. The elections official may make this signature check upon receiving the voted ballot, but the signature must be compared before the vote by mail voter ballot is canvassed.

(b) If the elections official deems the applicant entitled to a vote by mail voter’s ballot he or she shall deliver by mail or in person the appropriate ballot. The ballot may be delivered to the applicant, his or her spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling, or a person residing in the same household as the vote by mail voter, except that in no case shall the ballot be delivered to an individual under 16 years of age. The elections official shall deliver the vote by mail ballot to the applicant’s spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling, or a person residing in the same household as the vote by mail voter only if that person signs a statement attested to under penalty of perjury that provides the name of the applicant and his or her relationship to the applicant, and affirms that he or she is 16 years of age or older, and is authorized by the applicant to deliver the vote by mail ballot.

(c) If the elections official determines that an application does not contain all of the information prescribed in Section 3001 or 3006, or for any other reason is defective, and the elections official is able to ascertain the voter’s address, the elections official shall, within one working day of receiving the application, mail the voter a vote by mail voter’s ballot together with a notice. The notice shall inform the voter that the voter’s vote by mail voter’s ballot shall not be counted unless the applicant provides the elections official with the missing information or corrects the defects prior to, or at the time of, receipt of the voter’s executed vote by mail voter’s ballot. The notice shall specifically inform the voter of the information that is required or the reason for the defects in the application, and shall state the procedure necessary to remedy the defective application.

If the voter substantially complies with the requirements contained in the elections official’s notice, the voter’s ballot shall be counted.

In determining from the records of registration if the signature and residence address on the application appear to be the same as that on the original affidavit of registration, the elections official or registrar of voters may use facsimiles of voters’ signatures, provided that the method of preparing and displaying the facsimiles complies with law.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 71. Effective January 1, 2016. Operative September 26, 2016, when the Secretary of State issued the certification prescribed by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 88.)

3010.

The elections official shall deliver to each qualified applicant:

(a) The ballot for the precinct in which he or she resides. In primary elections this shall also be accompanied by the ballot for the central committee of the party for which the voter has disclosed a preference, if any.

(b) All supplies necessary for the use and return of the ballot.

No officer of this state may make any charge for services rendered to any voter under this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 72. Effective January 1, 2016. Operative September 26, 2016, when the Secretary of State issued the certification prescribed by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 88.)

3011.

(a) The identification envelope shall contain all of the following:

(1) A declaration, under penalty of perjury, stating that the voter resides within the precinct in which he or she is voting and is the person whose name appears on the envelope.

(2) The signature of the voter.

(3) The residence address of the voter as shown on the affidavit of registration.

(4) The date of signing.

(5) A notice that the envelope contains an official ballot and is to be opened only by the canvassing board.

(6) A warning plainly stamped or printed on it that voting twice constitutes a crime.

(7) A warning plainly stamped or printed on it that the voter must sign the envelope in his or her own handwriting in order for the ballot to be counted.

(8) A statement that the voter has neither applied, nor intends to apply, for a vote by mail voter’s ballot from any other jurisdiction for the same election.

(9) The name of the person authorized by the voter to return the vote by mail ballot pursuant to Section 3017.

(10) The relationship to the voter of the person authorized to return the vote by mail ballot.

(11) The signature of the person authorized to return the vote by mail ballot.

(b) Except at a primary election for partisan office, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the vote by mail voter’s party preference may not be stamped or printed on the identification envelope.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 73. Effective January 1, 2016. Operative September 26, 2016, when the Secretary of State issued the certification prescribed by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 88.)

3012.

Whenever the elections official is required to mail a vote by mail voter’s ballot to any elector and the address to which the ballot is to be mailed is a point outside the territorial limits of the United States, the elections official shall mail the vote by mail voter’s ballot to the elector by airmail and, if under any law of the United States official election ballots may be mailed without the payment of postage, the elections official shall so mail them.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3013.

Upon delivering or mailing a vote by mail voter’s ballot, the elections official shall enter on the application of the vote by mail voter, or on the affidavit of registration, the type of ballot and the date of delivering or mailing. Before the election the elections official shall send to the inspector of each precinct in his or her county or city a list of the voters in that precinct applying for and receiving ballots under the provisions of this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 26. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3014.

The elections official shall send a second vote by mail voter ballot to any voter upon receipt of a statement under penalty of perjury that the voter has failed to receive, lost, or destroyed his or her original ballot.

The elections official shall keep a record of each vote by mail voter ballot sent to and received from a voter and shall verify, prior to counting any duplicate ballot, that the voter has not attempted to vote twice. If it is determined that a voter has attempted to vote twice, both ballots shall be void.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3015.

Vote by mail voters who return to their home precincts on election day may vote only if they surrender their vote by mail voter ballots to the inspector of the precinct board.

The precinct board shall return the unused vote by mail voters’ ballots to the elections official in an envelope designated for this purpose.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3016.

Any vote by mail voter who is unable to surrender his or her vote by mail voter’s ballot within the meaning of Section 3015 shall be issued a provisional ballot in accordance with Section 14310.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 29. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3017.

(a) All vote by mail ballots cast under this division shall be voted on or before the day of the election. After marking the ballot, the vote by mail voter shall do any of the following: (1) return the ballot by mail or in person to the elections official who issued the ballot, (2) return the ballot in person to a member of a precinct board at a polling place or vote center within the state, or (3) return the ballot to a vote by mail ballot dropoff location within the state that is provided pursuant to Section 3025 or 4005. However, a vote by mail voter who is unable to return the ballot may designate any person to return the ballot to the elections official who issued the ballot, to the precinct board at a polling place or vote center within the state, or to a vote by mail ballot dropoff location within the state that is provided pursuant to Section 3025 or 4005. The ballot must, however, be received by the elections official who issued the ballot, the precinct board, or the vote by mail ballot dropoff location before the close of the polls on election day. If a vote by mail ballot is returned to a precinct board at a polling place or vote center, or to a vote by mail ballot dropoff location, that is located in a county that is not the county of the elections official who issued the ballot, the elections official for the county in which the vote by mail ballot is returned shall forward the ballot to the elections official who issued the ballot no later than eight days after receipt.

(b) The elections official shall establish procedures to ensure the secrecy of a ballot returned to a precinct polling place and the security, confidentiality, and integrity of any personal information collected, stored, or otherwise used pursuant to this section.

(c) On or before March 1, 2008, the elections official shall establish procedures to track and confirm the receipt of voted vote by mail ballots and to make this information available by means of online access using the county’s elections division Internet Web site. If the county does not have an elections division Internet Web site, the elections official shall establish a toll-free telephone number that may be used to confirm the date a voted vote by mail ballot was received.

(d) The provisions of this section are mandatory, not directory, and a ballot shall not be counted if it is not delivered in compliance with this section.

(e) (1) A person designated to return a vote by mail ballot shall not receive any form of compensation based on the number of ballots that the person has returned and no individual, group, or organization shall provide compensation on this basis.

(2) For purposes of this paragraph, “compensation” means any form of monetary payment, goods, services, benefits, promises or offers of employment, or any other form of consideration offered to another person in exchange for returning another voter’s vote by mail ballot.

(3) Any person in charge of a vote by mail ballot and who knowingly and willingly engages in criminal acts related to that ballot as described in Division 18 (commencing with Section 18000), including, but not limited to, fraud, bribery, intimidation, and tampering with or failing to deliver the ballot in a timely fashion, is subject to the appropriate punishment specified in that division.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 832, Sec. 2.5. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3018.

(a) Any voter using a vote by mail ballot may, prior to the close of the polls on election day, vote the ballot at the office of the elections official. The voter shall vote the ballot in the presence of an officer of the elections official or in a voting booth, at the discretion of the elections official, but in no case may his or her vote be observed. Where direct recording electronic voting systems, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 19271, are used the elections official shall provide sufficient direct recording electronic voting systems to include all ballot types in the election.

(b) For purposes of this section, the office of an elections official may include satellite locations. Notice of the satellite locations shall be made by the elections official by the issuance of a general news release, issued not later than 14 days prior to voting at the satellite location, except that in a county with a declared emergency or disaster, notice shall be made not later than 48 hours prior to voting at the satellite location. The news release shall set forth the following information:

(1) The satellite location or locations.

(2) The dates and hours the satellite location or locations will be open.

(3) A telephone number that voters may use to obtain information regarding vote by mail ballots and the satellite locations.

(c) Vote by mail ballots voted at a satellite location pursuant to this section shall be placed in a vote by mail voter identification envelope to be completed by the voter pursuant to Section 3011. However, if the elections official provides sufficient direct recording electronic voting systems such that all ballot types in the election may be cast, the vote by mail ballot may be cast on a direct recording electronic voting system.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 911, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2015.)

3019.

(a) Upon receipt of a vote by mail ballot, the elections official shall compare the signature on the identification envelope with either of the following to determine if the signatures compare:

(1) The signature appearing on the voter’s affidavit of registration or any previous affidavit of registration of the voter.

(2) The signature appearing on a form issued by an elections official that contains the voter’s signature and that is part of the voter’s registration record.

(b) In comparing signatures pursuant to subdivision (a), the elections official may use facsimiles of voters’ signatures, provided that the method of preparing and displaying the facsimiles complies with the law.

(c) (1) If upon conducting the comparison of signatures pursuant to subdivision (a) the elections official determines that the signatures compare, he or she shall deposit the ballot, still in the identification envelope, in a ballot container in his or her office.

(2) If upon conducting the comparison of signatures pursuant to subdivision (a) the elections official determines that the signatures do not compare, the identification envelope shall not be opened and the ballot shall not be counted. The cause of the rejection shall be written on the face of the identification envelope.

(d) The variation of a signature caused by the substitution of initials for the first or middle name, or both, shall not be grounds for the elections official to determine that the signatures do not compare.

(e) In comparing signatures pursuant to this section, an elections official may use signature verification technology. If signature verification technology determines the signatures do not compare, the elections official shall not reject the ballot unless he or she visually examines the signatures and verifies that the signatures do not compare.

(f) (1) (A) Notwithstanding any other law, if an elections official determines that a voter has failed to sign the identification envelope, the elections official shall not reject the vote by mail ballot if the voter does any of the following:

(i) Signs the identification envelope at the office of the elections official during regular business hours before 5 p.m. on the eighth day after the election.

(ii) Before 5 p.m. on the eighth day after the election, completes and submits an unsigned ballot statement in substantially the following form:

(iii) Before the close of the polls on election day, completes and submits an unsigned ballot statement, in the form described in clause (ii), to a polling place within the county or a ballot dropoff box.

(B) If timely submitted, the elections official shall accept any completed unsigned ballot statement. Upon receipt of the unsigned ballot statement, the elections official shall compare the voter’s signature on the statement in the manner provided by this section.

(i) If the elections official determines that the signatures compare, he or she shall attach the unsigned ballot statement to the identification envelope and deposit the ballot, still in the identification envelope, in a ballot container in his or her office.

(ii) If the elections official determines that the signatures do not compare, the identification envelope shall not be opened and the ballot shall not be counted.

(C) An elections official may use methods other than those described in subparagraph (A) to obtain a voter’s signature on an unsigned identification envelope.

(2) Instructions shall accompany the unsigned ballot statement in substantially the following form:

(3) An elections official shall include the unsigned ballot statement and instructions described in this subdivision on his or her Internet Web site, and shall provide the elections official’s mailing address and facsimile transmission number on the Internet Web page containing the statement and instructions.

(g) A ballot shall not be removed from its identification envelope until the time for processing ballots. A ballot shall not be rejected for cause after the identification envelope has been opened.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 74.5. Effective January 1, 2016. Operative January 1, 2016, by Stats. 2015, Ch. 728, Sec. 88, subd. (b).)

3019.5.

(a) A county elections official shall establish a free access system that allows a vote by mail voter to learn if his or her vote by mail ballot was counted and, if not, the reason why the ballot was not counted. For each election, the elections official shall make the free access system available to a vote by mail voter upon completion of the official canvass and for 30 days after completion of the official canvas.

(b) For purposes of establishing the free access system for vote by mail ballots required by subdivision (a), a county elections official may use the free access system for provisional ballots established by the county pursuant to Section 302 of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 21082).

(c) If a county elections official elects not to mail a county voter information guide to a voter pursuant to Section 13305, the elections official shall use any savings achieved to offset the costs associated with establishing the free access system for vote by mail ballots required by subdivision (a).

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3020.

(a) All vote by mail ballots cast under this division shall be received by the elections official from whom they were obtained or by the precinct board no later than the close of the polls on election day.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any vote by mail ballot cast under this division shall be timely cast if it is received by the voter’s elections official via the United States Postal Service or a bona fide private mail delivery company no later than three days after election day and either of the following is satisfied:

(1) The ballot is postmarked on or before election day or is time stamped or date stamped by a bona fide private mail delivery company on or before election day.

(2) If the ballot has no postmark, a postmark with no date, or an illegible postmark, the vote by mail ballot identification envelope is date stamped by the elections official upon receipt of the vote by mail ballot from the United States Postal Service or a bona fide private mail delivery company, and is signed and dated pursuant to Section 3011 on or before election day.

(c) For purposes of this section, “bona fide private mail delivery company” means a courier service that is in the regular business of accepting a mail item, package, or parcel for the purpose of delivery to a person or entity whose address is specified on the item.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 225, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3021.

After the close of the period for requesting vote by mail voter ballots by mail any voter unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability resulting in his or her confinement in a hospital, sanatorium, nursing home, or place of residence, or any voter unable because of a physical handicap to go to his or her polling place or because of that handicap is unable to vote at his or her polling place due to existing architectural barriers at his or her polling place denying him or her physical access to the polling place, voting booth, or voting apparatus or machinery, or any voter unable to go to his or her polling place because of conditions resulting in his or her absence from the precinct on election day may request in a written statement, signed under penalty of perjury that a ballot be delivered to him or her. This written statement shall not be required if the vote by mail ballot is voted in the office of the elections official as defined by subdivision (b) of Section 3018, at the time of the request. This ballot shall be delivered by the elections official to any authorized representative of the voter who presents this written statement to the elections official.

Before delivering the ballot the elections official may compare the signature on the request with the signature on the voter’s affidavit of registration, but in any event, the signature shall be compared before the vote by mail ballot is canvassed.

The voter shall mark the ballot, place it in the identification envelope, fill out and sign the envelope and return the ballot, personally or through the authorized representative, to either the elections official or any polling place within the jurisdiction.

These ballots shall be processed and counted in the same manner as other vote by mail ballots.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 34. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3021.5.

(a) Upon the declaration of an out-of-state emergency by the Governor and the issuance of an executive order authorizing an out-of-state emergency worker to cast a ballot outside of his or her home precinct, a county elections official shall, upon request of an out-of-state emergency worker pursuant to this chapter, issue a vote by mail ballot to the out-of-state emergency worker using a process to be determined by that elections official. The process shall include all of the following:

(1) Authorization for an out-of-state emergency worker to request a vote by mail ballot after the close of the vote by mail ballot application period specified in Section 3001.

(2) Authorization for a vote by mail ballot and accompanying voting materials to be sent to an out-of-state emergency worker by mail, facsimile transmission, or electronic transmission, as requested by the out-of-state emergency worker. An elections official may use reasonable facsimiles of the county voter information guides sent to voters as vote by mail ballots.

(3) A requirement that an out-of-state emergency worker mark the vote by mail ballot provided to him or her, place it in the vote by mail ballot identification envelope, and return the vote by mail ballot to the elections official from whom it was obtained. If no identification envelope is provided, the envelope used to return the vote by mail ballot to the elections official shall include the information required by subdivision (a) of Section 3011 and a statement signed under penalty of perjury that the voter is an out-of-state emergency worker.

(b) In order to be counted, a vote by mail ballot cast pursuant to this section shall be received in compliance with Section 3020.

(c) An elections official shall receive and canvass vote by mail ballots cast pursuant to this section by the same procedure as for all other vote by mail ballots cast pursuant to this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3022.

The elections official shall include with the county voter information guide an application for a vote by mail ballot.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3023.

Each ballot that is delivered pursuant to this chapter shall be accompanied by a state voter information guide, unless the voter has already been provided a state voter information guide.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3024.

The cost to administer vote by mail ballots where issues and elective offices related to school districts, as defined by Section 17519 of the Government Code, are included on a ballot election with noneducation issues and elective offices shall not be fully or partially prorated to a school district. The Commission on State Mandates shall delete school districts, county boards of education, and community college districts from the list of eligible claimants in the Parameters and Guidelines for the Absentee Ballot Mandates.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 36. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3025.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Vote by mail ballot drop box” means a secure receptacle established by a county or city and county elections official whereby a voted vote by mail ballot may be returned to the elections official from whom it was obtained.

(2) “Vote by mail ballot drop-off location” means a location consisting of a secured vote by mail ballot drop box at which a voted vote by mail ballot may be returned to the elections official from whom it was obtained.

(b) On or before January 1, 2017, the Secretary of State shall promulgate regulations establishing guidelines based on best practices for security measures and procedures, including, but not limited to, chain of custody, pick-up times, proper labeling, and security of vote by mail ballot drop boxes, that a county elections official may use if the county elections official establishes one or more vote by mail ballot drop-off locations.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 93. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3026.

The Secretary of State shall promulgate regulations establishing guidelines for county elections officials relating to the processing of vote by mail ballots.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 821, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2017.)

CHAPTER 2. Military and Overseas Voters Application and Voting Procedures [3101 - 3123]

3101.

(a) The Secretary of State shall see that this chapter is enforced pursuant to Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.

(b) The Secretary of State shall make available to any person who qualifies as a military or overseas voter information regarding voter registration procedures for military or overseas voters and procedures for casting ballots by military or overseas voters.

(c) The elections official for each district shall ensure that his or her jurisdiction has available a system that would allow a military or overseas voter to electronically request and receive a vote by mail application, an unvoted ballot, and other information pursuant to this chapter.

(d) The Secretary of State shall develop standardized military or overseas voter voting materials as required by this chapter.

(e) The Secretary of State shall prescribe the form and content of a declaration for use by a military or overseas voter to swear or affirm specific representations pertaining to the voter’s identity, eligibility to vote, and status as a military or overseas voter, and shall further prescribe requirements for the timely and proper completion of a military or overseas voter’s ballot. The declaration shall be based on the declaration prescribed to accompany a federal write-in absentee ballot, as modified to be consistent with this chapter. The elections official for each jurisdiction shall ensure that a form for the execution of the declaration, including an indication of the date of execution of the declaration, is a prominent part of all balloting materials for which the declaration is required.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3102.

(a) Any voter who qualifies as a military or overseas voter pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 300 shall have the right to register for, and to vote by a vote by mail ballot in, any election within the state, including any general, special, or primary election for any federal or statewide office or state ballot measure that is voted on statewide. Any voter who qualifies as a military or overseas voter pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 300 shall also have the right to register for, and to vote by a vote by mail ballot in, any other election for any office or ballot measure held in the precinct in which he or she was a resident when he or she was last living within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia, or, for a military or overseas voter qualified pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 321, in any precinct of the state in which his or her parent or legal guardian resided when the parent or legal guardian last lived within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia.

(b) When a military or overseas voter applies for a vote by mail ballot, the application shall be deemed to be an affidavit of registration and an application for permanent vote by mail status, pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 3200). The application shall be completed by the voter and shall contain the voter’s name; the voter’s date of birth; the address of the voter’s residence in the state when the voter was last living within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia or, if qualified as a military or overseas voter pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 321, the address of the voter’s parent or legal guardian when the parent or legal guardian was last living within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia; the address to which the ballot is to be sent; the voter’s political party preference or a statement that the voter declines to disclose a political party preference; and the voter’s signature.

(c) If an elections official receives a completed federal postcard application from a person qualified as a military or overseas voter, the application shall be deemed to be an affidavit of registration, an application for a vote by mail ballot, and an application for permanent vote by mail status, pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 3200).

(d) If the applicant is not a resident of the county to which he or she has applied, the elections official receiving an application from a military or overseas voter shall forward it immediately to the county in which the applicant resided when he or she was last living within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia or, for a military or overseas voter qualified pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 321, to the county in which his or her parent or legal guardian resided when the parent or legal guardian last lived within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia.

(e) An application made pursuant to this section shall be received by the elections official having jurisdiction over the election no later than seven days prior to the date of the election if the application is made solely as an application for a vote by mail ballot. An application made pursuant to this section and deemed to be an affidavit of registration shall be effective only if it is postmarked on or before the 15th day prior to the election.

(Added by renumbering Section 3100 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3103.

Upon timely receipt of an application received pursuant to Section 3102, the elections official shall examine the application to ascertain that it is properly executed in accordance with this code. If the elections official is satisfied of this fact, the applicant shall be deemed a duly registered voter as of the date appearing on the application to the same extent and with the same effect as though he or she had registered in proper time prior to the election.

(Added by renumbering Section 3101 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3104.

Applications for the ballots of military or overseas voters shall be received and, except as provided in Section 3106, the ballots shall be received and canvassed, at the same time and under the same procedure as vote by mail ballots, insofar as that procedure is not inconsistent with this chapter.

(Added by renumbering Section 3102 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3105.

(a) Any application made pursuant to this chapter that is received by the elections official prior to the 60th day before the election shall be kept and processed on or after the 60th day before the election.

(b) (1) The elections official shall send the ballot not earlier than 60 days but not later than 45 days before the election and shall include with the ballot a list of all candidates who have qualified for the ballot and a list of all measures that are to be submitted to the voters and on which the voter is qualified to vote. The voter shall be entitled to write in the name of any specific candidate seeking nomination or election to any office listed on the ballot.

(2) The military or overseas voter may, in the alternative to the ballot provided pursuant to paragraph (1), use a federal write-in absentee ballot to vote in any election in which the military or overseas voter is qualified to vote.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 15341 or any other provision of law, any name written upon a ballot for a particular office pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be counted for the office or nomination, providing the candidate whose name has been written on the ballot has, as of the date of the election, qualified to have his or her name placed on the ballot for the office, or has qualified as a write-in candidate for the office.

(d) Except as provided in Section 3106, the elections official shall receive and canvass military or overseas voter ballots described in this section under the same procedure as vote by mail ballots, insofar as that procedure is not inconsistent with this section.

(e) In the event that a military or overseas voter executes a ballot pursuant to this section and an application for a vote by mail ballot pursuant to Section 3102, the elections official shall process the application and the ballot in accordance with this chapter.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a military or overseas voter who qualifies pursuant to this chapter may, by facsimile transmission, register to vote and apply for a ballot pursuant to this section or a vote by mail ballot. Upon request, the elections official shall send the ballot to the qualified military or overseas voter either by mail, facsimile, or electronic transmission, as requested by the voter.

(Added by renumbering Section 3103 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3106.

(a) A military or overseas voter who is living outside of the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia, or is called for military service within the United States on or after the final date to make application for a vote by mail ballot, may return his or her ballot by facsimile transmission. To be counted, the ballot returned by facsimile transmission shall be received by the voter’s elections official no later than the closing of the polls on election day and shall be accompanied by an identification envelope containing all of the information required by Section 3011 and an oath of voter declaration in substantially the following form:

(b) Notwithstanding the voter’s waiver of the right to a secret ballot, each elections official shall adopt appropriate procedures to protect the secrecy of ballots returned by facsimile transmission.

(c) Upon receipt of a ballot returned by facsimile transmission, the elections official shall determine the voter’s eligibility to vote by comparing the signature on the return information with the signature on the voter’s affidavit of registration or any signature permitted for comparison under Section 3019. The ballot shall be duplicated and all materials preserved according to procedures set forth in this code.

(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a military or overseas voter who is permitted to return his or her ballot by facsimile transmission is, nonetheless, encouraged to return his or her ballot by mail or in person if possible. A military or overseas voter should return a ballot by facsimile transmission only if doing so is necessary for the ballot to be received before the close of polls on election day.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 731, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2016.)

3107.

When the application is received by an elections official, other than a county elections official, the elections official receiving it shall, after the election, transmit it to the county elections official who, if the application is not subject to rejection, shall file the original. If an application is rejected, it shall be returned to the applicant with the reason for rejection endorsed on it, together with a new blank application.

(Added by renumbering Section 3106 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3108.

If a military or overseas voter who is qualified pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 300 is released from service after the closing date of registration for an election and has returned to the county of his or her residence and is not a registered voter, he or she may apply in person to the elections official for permission to register. If the elector furnishes documentary proof of release from service after the closing date of registration for the election, the elections official shall allow him or her to be registered and to vote in the election. On or before the day of election the elections official shall deliver to the precinct board a list of military or overseas voters registered under this section.

(Added by renumbering Section 3107 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3109.

If any military or overseas voter to whom a vote by mail ballot has been mailed and which ballot has not been voted by him or her returns to the county in which he or she is registered, or for a military or overseas voter qualified pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 321, to the county in which the applicant’s parent or legal guardian resided when the parent or legal guardian last lived within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia on or before election day, he or she may apply for a second vote by mail ballot pursuant to Section 3014. The elections official shall require him or her to sign an authorization to cancel the vote by mail ballot previously issued when it is returned to the county elections official. The elections official shall then issue another vote by mail ballot to the voter, or the elections official shall certify to the precinct board that the voter is eligible to vote in the precinct polling place of his or her residence.

(Added by renumbering Section 3108 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3110.

If any military or overseas voter returns to the county of his or her residence, or for a military or overseas voter qualified pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 321, to the county in which the applicant’s parent or legal guardian resided when the parent or legal guardian last lived within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia, after the final day for making application for a vote by mail ballot, he or she may appear before the elections official and make application for registration, vote by mail ballot, or both. The elections official shall register the voter, if he or she is not registered, and deliver to him or her a vote by mail ballot which may be voted in the elections official’s office or voted outside the elections official’s office on or before the close of the polls on the day of election and returned as are other vote by mail ballots.

(Added by renumbering Section 3109 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3111.

If a military or overseas voter is unable to appear at his or her polling place because of being recalled to service after the final day for making application for a vote by mail ballot, but before 5 p.m. on the day before the day of election, he or she may appear before the elections official in the county in which the military or overseas voter is registered or, if within the state, in the county in which he or she is recalled to service and make application for a vote by mail ballot, which may be submitted by facsimile, or by electronic mail or online transmission if the elections official makes the transmission option available. The elections official shall deliver to him or her a vote by mail ballot which may be voted in the elections official’s office or voted outside the elections official’s office on or before the close of the polls on the day of election and returned as are other vote by mail ballots. To be counted, the ballot shall be returned to the elections official’s office in person, by facsimile transmission, or by an authorized person on or before the close of the polls on the day of the election. If the military or overseas voter appears in the county in which he or she is recalled to service, rather than the county to which he or she is registered, the elections official shall coordinate with the elections official in the county in which the military or overseas voter is registered to provide the ballot that contains the appropriate measures and races for the precinct in which the military or overseas voter is registered.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 76, Sec. 56. Effective January 1, 2014.)

3112.

Whenever by any statute of the United States, provision is made for vote by mail, an application for a vote by mail ballot made under that law may be given the same effect as an application for a vote by mail ballot made under this code.

If, by any federal statute, provision is made for the transmission of applications for vote by mail status to the Secretary of State, he or she shall transmit the applications to the county elections official of the county in which the applicant claims residence, or for a military or overseas voter qualified pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 321, to the county in which the applicant’s parent or legal guardian resided when the parent or legal guardian last lived within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia.

(Added by renumbering Section 3111 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3113.

If by any act of Congress which is now or may become effective during the effective period of this section, provision is made for voting by military or overseas voters, that act shall control and be superior to any conflicting provisions of this code, and all state, county, municipal, and district officers who are charged with the performance of duties with reference to the election laws of this state shall perform the duties and discharge the obligations placed upon them by that act of Congress. It is the purpose and intent of this section that full effect shall be given to ballots cast by military or overseas voters under federal statutes in order that no person shall be deprived of his or her vote by virtue of having cast his or her ballot under any federal statute rather than under the laws of this state.

(Added by renumbering Section 3112 by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3114.

(a) For an election for which this state has not received a waiver pursuant to the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20301 et seq.), not sooner than 60 days but not later than 45 days before the election, the elections official shall transmit a ballot and balloting materials to each military or overseas voter who, by that date, submits a valid ballot application pursuant to Section 3102.

(b) If a valid ballot application from a military or overseas voter arrives after the 45th day before the election, the elections official charged with distributing a ballot and balloting materials to that voter shall transmit them to the voter as soon as practicable after the application arrives.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 94. Effective January 1, 2017.)

3116.

A military or overseas voter may use a federal write-in absentee ballot to vote for all offices and ballot measures described in subdivision (a) of Section 3102.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3117.

A valid ballot cast shall be counted if it is received by the elections official in accordance with Section 3020.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 618, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2015.)

3118.

The elections official shall include with the ballot a declaration to be signed by the military or overseas voter that a material misstatement of fact in completing the ballot may be grounds for a conviction of perjury under the laws of this state or the United States.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3119.

Elections officials shall implement an electronic free access system by which a military or overseas voter may determine by telephone, electronic mail, or Internet whether the military or overseas voter’s ballot has been received.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 22. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3120.

The elections official shall request an electronic mail address from each military or overseas voter who registers to vote. A military or overseas voter who provides an electronic mail address may request that his or her application for a ballot be considered a standing request for electronic delivery of a ballot for all elections conducted in the jurisdiction in which he or she is eligible to vote. An elections official shall provide for electronic delivery of a ballot to a military or overseas voter who makes a standing request for all elections conducted in the jurisdiction in which he or she is eligible to vote.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 649, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

3121.

(a) As soon as practicable before an election, each elections official shall publish on his or her Internet Web site a list of all of the ballot measures and federal, state, and local offices that, as of that date, the elections official expects to be on the ballot on the date of the election. The list shall also contain specific instructions for how a voter is to indicate on a federal write-in absentee ballot the voter’s choice for each office to be filled and for each ballot measure to be contested.

(b) A military or overseas voter may request a copy of the list described in subdivision (a). The elections official shall send the list to the voter by facsimile, electronic mail, or regular mail, as the voter requests.

(c) Not later than 60 days before a regularly scheduled election and as soon as practicable before a special election, the elections official shall update on his or her Internet Web site the list described in subdivision (a) with the certified candidates for each office and certified ballot measures and make the updated list publicly available.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 24. Effective January 1, 2013.)

3122.

(a) If a military or overseas voter’s mistake or omission in the completion of a document under this chapter does not prevent determining whether a military or overseas voter is eligible to vote, the mistake or omission does not invalidate the document. In a write-in ballot authorized by this chapter, if the intention of the voter is discernible under this state’s uniform definition of what constitutes a vote and the ballot is eligible to be counted pursuant to Sections 3019 and 3106, an abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor variation in the form of the name of a candidate or a political party shall be accepted as a valid vote.

(b) An authentication, other than the declaration specified in Section 3106 or 3118 or the declaration on the federal postcard application and federal write-in absentee ballot, is not required for execution of a document under this chapter. The declaration and any information in the declaration may be compared with information on file to ascertain the validity of the document.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 560, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2014.)

3123.

A court may issue an injunction or grant other equitable relief appropriate to ensure substantial compliance with, or enforce, this chapter on application by either of the following:

(a) A military or overseas voter.

(b) An elections official in this state.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 744, Sec. 26. Effective January 1, 2013.)

CHAPTER 3. Permanent Vote by Mail Application and Procedures [3200 - 3206]

3200.

A voter who qualifies under this chapter shall be entitled to become a permanent vote by mail voter.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 50. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3201.

Any voter may apply for permanent vote by mail status. Application for permanent vote by mail status shall be made in accordance with Section 3001 or 3102. The voter shall complete an application, which shall be available from the county elections official, and which shall contain all of the following:

(a) The applicant’s name at length.

(b) The applicant’s residence address.

(c) The address where the ballot is to be mailed, if different from the place of residence.

(d) The signature of the applicant.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 560, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2014.)

3202.

In lieu of executing the application set forth in Section 3201, any voter may execute a request for permanent vote by mail status by making a written request to the county elections official requesting the status. If a written request is received by the county elections official and it contains the information set forth in Section 3201, the elections official shall process that application in the manner provided in Section 3203.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 52. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3203.

(a) Upon receipt of an application for permanent vote by mail status, the county elections official shall process the application in the same manner as an application for a vote by mail ballot, or, in the case of an application made pursuant to Section 3102, in the same manner as an application for a special absent voter ballot or overseas ballot.

(b) In addition to processing applications in accordance with Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 3000), if it is determined that the applicant is a registered voter, the county elections official shall do the following:

(1) Place the voter’s name upon a list of those to whom a vote by mail ballot is sent each time there is an election within their precinct.

(2) Include in all vote by mail mailings to the voter an explanation of the vote by mail procedure and an explanation of Section 3206.

(3) Maintain a copy of the vote by mail ballot list on file open to public inspection for election and governmental purposes.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 560, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2014.)

3204.

The county elections official shall send a copy of the list of all voters who qualify as permanent vote by mail voters to each city elections official or district elections official charged with the duty of conducting an election within the county. The list shall be sent by the sixth day before an election.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 54. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3205.

(a) Vote by mail ballots mailed to, and received from, voters on the permanent vote by mail voter list are subject to the same deadlines and shall be processed and counted in the same manner as all other vote by mail ballots.

(b) Prior to each partisan primary election, county elections officials shall mail to every voter who has declined to disclose a preference for a political party whose name appears on the permanent vote by mail voter list a notice and application regarding voting in the primary election. The notice shall inform the voter that he or she may request a vote by mail ballot for a particular political party for the primary election, if that political party adopted a party rule, duly noticed to the Secretary of State, authorizing these voters to vote in their primary. The notice shall also contain a toll-free telephone number, established by the Secretary of State, that the voter may call to access information regarding which political parties have adopted such a rule. The application shall contain a checkoff box with a conspicuously printed statement that reads substantially similar to the following: “I have declined to disclose a preference for a qualified political party. However, for this primary election only, I request a vote by mail ballot for the __ Party.” The name of the political party shall be personally affixed by the voter.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 10. Effective February 10, 2012.)

3206.

A voter whose name appears on the permanent vote by mail voter list shall remain on the list and shall be mailed a vote by mail ballot for each election conducted within the precinct in which he or she is eligible to vote. If the voter fails to return an executed vote by mail ballot in four consecutive statewide general elections in accordance with Section 3017, the voter’s name shall be deleted from the list.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 46. Effective January 1, 2013.)

CHAPTER 5. New Residents Application and Voting Procedures [3400 - 3408]

3400.

Registration for new residents shall be in progress beginning with the 14th day prior to an election and ending on the seventh day prior to election day.

This registration must be executed in the county elections office and the new resident shall vote a new resident’s ballot in that office.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 592, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2005.)

3402.

The Secretary of State shall have blank affidavits of registration prepared for new residents that contain the information required in Section 2157. The affidavit shall be the same as the regular affidavit of registration except that it shall have a removable portion with the caption “new resident.”

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

3403.

The envelope into which a new resident is to place the ballot shall bear upon its face the name and official title of the county elections official and upon the other side a printed affidavit in substantially the following form:

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

3404.

The new resident shall mark the ballot, place it in the identification envelope, and fill out and sign the declaration printed on the identification envelope.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

3405.

The ballots of new residents shall be received and canvassed at the same time and under the same procedure as vote by mail voter ballots, insofar as that procedure is not inconsistent with this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 65. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3408.

The county elections official shall keep open to public inspection a list showing the names and addresses of all persons who have voted as new residents.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 6. New Citizens Application and Voting Procedures [3500 - 3503]

3500.

A new citizen is eligible to register and vote at the office of, or at another location designated by, the county elections official at any time beginning on the 14th day before an election and ending at the close of polls on the election day following the date on which that person became a citizen.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 186, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2012.)

3501.

A new citizen registering to vote after the close of registration shall provide the county elections official with proof of citizenship prior to voting, and shall declare that he or she has established residency in California. Upon receipt of proof of citizenship and California residency, the county elections official shall instate the affiant as a registered voter and include his or her affidavit of registration in the permanent file of affidavits.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

3502.

The ballots of new citizens shall be received and canvassed at the same time and under the same procedure as vote by mail voter ballots, insofar as that procedure is not inconsistent with this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 66. Effective January 1, 2008.)

3503.

The county elections official shall keep open to public inspection a list of all persons who have registered as new citizens.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 1. Conditions for Mail Ballot Election [4000 - 4008]

4000.

A local, special, or consolidated election may be conducted wholly by mail provided that all of the following conditions apply:

(a) The governing body of the local agency authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election.

(b) The election is held on an established mailed ballot election date pursuant to Section 1500.

(c) The election is one of the following:

(1) An election in which no more than 1,000 registered voters are eligible to participate.

(2) An election on a measure or measures restricted to (A) the imposition of special taxes, or (B) expenditure limitation overrides, or (C) both (A) and (B), in a city, county, or special district with 5,000 or less registered voters calculated as of the time of the last report of registration by the county elections official to the Secretary of State.

(3) An election on the issuance of a general obligation water bond in accordance with Section 12944.5 of the Water Code.

(4) An election of the Directors of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District as authorized in Section 122 of Chapter 527 of the Statutes of 1977, known as the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Law.

(5) An election of the Aliso Water Management Agency, or its affected member agencies, pursuant to Sections 13416 and 13417 of the Water Code.

(6) An election of the San Jacinto Mountain Area Water Study Agency pursuant to Sections 13416 and 13417 of the Water Code.

(7) An election of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District pursuant to Sections 13416 and 13417 of the Water Code.

(8) An election or assessment ballot proceeding required or authorized by Article XIII?C or XIII?D of the California Constitution. However, when an assessment ballot proceeding is conducted by mail pursuant to this section, the following rules apply:

(A) The proceeding shall be denominated an “assessment ballot proceeding” rather than an election.

(B) Ballots shall be denominated “assessment ballots.”

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 286, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

4000.5.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, as a pilot program, an all-mailed ballot special election or special consolidated election in San Diego County may be conducted by an eligible entity if the special election or special consolidated election is any of the following:

(1) A special election to fill a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office.

(2) A special election to fill a vacancy in the legislative body or governing body.

(3) A special election conducted pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 9100), Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 9200), Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 9300), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 9400), Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 9500) of Division 9, or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 11200) of Division 11.

(b) A special election or special consolidated election described in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a) may be conducted wholly as an all-mailed ballot election if all of the following apply:

(1) (A) For a special election to fill a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office, the Board of Supervisors of San Diego County, by resolution, authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election and the congressional or legislative district lies wholly or partially within San Diego County.

(B) For all other special elections, the legislative body or governing body of the eligible entity, by resolution, authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election.

(2) The election does not occur on the same date as a statewide direct primary election, statewide general election, or any other election conducted in an overlapping jurisdiction that is not consolidated and conducted wholly by mail.

(3) (A) If the boundaries of the jurisdiction of the eligible entity overlap with the boundaries of a city, at least one ballot dropoff location is provided per city that is open during business hours to receive voted ballots beginning not less than seven days before the date of the election.

(B) The number of dropoff locations in unincorporated areas shall be based on the number of unincorporated registered voters divided by 100,000 (rounded to the next whole number) with no less than one location to be selected.

(C) A ballot dropoff location provided for under this section shall consist of a locked ballot box located in a secure public building that meets the accessibility requirements for a polling place.

(4) On at least one Saturday and Sunday on or after the date the elections official first delivers ballots to voters, the elections official allows any voter to vote the ballot at a satellite location within the jurisdiction of the eligible entity pursuant to Section 3018. The elections official shall determine the hours of operation for each Saturday and Sunday, provided that the satellite location is open to voters for a minimum of six hours on each designated Saturday and Sunday.

(5) (A) At least one polling place is provided per eligible entity or the polling places are fixed in a manner so that there is one polling place for every 10,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the election, whichever results in more polling places. A polling place shall allow a voter to request and vote a ballot between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

(B) The polling places provided under this section shall be established in accordance with the accessibility requirements described in Article 5 (commencing with Section 12280) of Chapter 3 of Division 12, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.), and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), and shall, to the extent possible, ensure that access is evenly distributed throughout the jurisdiction of the eligible entity.

(C) The polling places provided under this section shall be established at accessible locations and shall be equipped with voting units or systems that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that provide the same opportunity for access and participation as is provided to voters who are not disabled, including the ability to vote privately and independently in accordance with Sections 12280 and 19240.

(D) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for which the elections official is required to recruit precinct board members who are fluent in a language in addition to English pursuant to the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), the elections official shall ensure that the polling place is staffed by precinct board members who speak that language.

(E) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for which the elections official is required to recruit precinct board members who are fluent in a language in addition to English pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 12303, the elections official shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the polling place is staffed by precinct board members who speak that language.

(6) (A) The elections official delivers to each voter all supplies necessary for the use and return of the mail ballot, including an envelope for the return of the voted mail ballot with postage prepaid.

(B) The elections official delivers to each voter, with either the sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 or with the voter’s ballot, all of the following:

(i) A notice, translated in all languages required under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), that informs voters of all of the following:

(I) An all-mailed ballot election is being conducted and each eligible voter will receive a ballot by mail.

(II) The voter may cast a ballot in person at a satellite location provided for under paragraph (4) or at a polling place on election day.

(III) The voter may request the elections official to send a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English pursuant to Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in a language other than English pursuant to Section 14201.

(ii) A list of the ballot dropoff locations, satellite locations, and polling places established pursuant to this section. The list shall also be posted on the Internet Web site of the elections official.

(iii) A postage-paid postcard that the voter may return to the elections official for the purpose of requesting a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English.

(7) (A) The elections official submits to the Secretary of State a voter education and outreach plan to be implemented by the eligible entity for any election conducted pursuant to this section. The voter education and outreach plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:

(i) One education and outreach meeting that includes representatives, advocates, and other stakeholders representing each community for which the eligible entity is required to provide voting materials and assistance in a language other than English under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(ii) One education and outreach meeting that includes representatives from community organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals with disabilities.

(iii) At least one in-person bilingual voter education workshop for each language in which the eligible entity is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(iv) At least one in-person voter education workshop to increase accessibility for participation of eligible voters with disabilities.

(v) A toll-free voter assistance hotline maintained by the elections official that is operational no later than the date that vote by mail ballots are mailed to voters until 5 p.m. on the day after the special election. The toll-free voter assistance hotline shall provide assistance to voters in all languages in which the eligible entity is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(vi) At least one public service announcement in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve English-speaking citizens for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline.

(vii) At least one public service announcement in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, that serves non-English-speaking citizens for each language in which the eligible entity is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline.

(viii) A voter education social media strategy that is developed in partnership with community organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, non-English-speaking individuals and individuals with disabilities.

(B) The voter education and outreach plan shall be posted on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State and on the Internet Web site of the elections official.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the election day procedures shall be conducted in accordance with Division 14 (commencing with Section 14000).

(d) The elections official may provide, at his or her discretion, additional ballot dropoff locations and polling places for purposes of this section.

(e) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Sections 3017 and 3020.

(f) (1) If the eligible entity conducts a special election pursuant to this section, it may process vote by mail ballot return envelopes beginning 29 days before the election. Processing vote by mail ballot return envelopes may include verifying the voter’s signature on the vote by mail ballot return envelope and updating voter history records.

(2) If the eligible entity conducts a special election pursuant to this section, it may start to process vote by mail ballots on the 10th business day before the election. Processing vote by mail ballots includes opening vote by mail ballot return envelopes, removing ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots, and preparing the ballots to be machine read, or machine reading them, but under no circumstances shall a vote count be accessed or released until 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

(g) Results of any vote by mail ballot tabulation or count shall not be released before the close of the polls on the day of the election.

(h) For the sole purpose of reporting the results of an election conducted pursuant to this section, upon completion of the ballot count, the elections official shall divide the jurisdiction into precincts pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 12220) of Chapter 3 of Division 12 and shall prepare a statement of the results of the election in accordance with Sections 15373 and 15374.

(i) The elections official shall compile an index, list, or file of all persons who voted in an election conducted pursuant to this section. If the elections official uses data-processing equipment to compile the index, list, or file, he or she shall retain an accurate copy of that index, list, or file in electronic format for a period of 10 years.

(j) (1) If an election is conducted pursuant to this section, the eligible entity shall report to the Legislature and to the Secretary of State regarding the success of the election, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Any statistics on the cost to conduct the election.

(B) The turnout of different populations, including, but not limited to, and to the extent possible, the population categories of race, ethnicity, language preference, age, gender, disability, permanent vote by mail status, and political party preference.

(C) The number of ballots that were not counted and the reasons they were rejected.

(D) Voter fraud.

(E) Any other problems that become known to the eligible entity during the election or canvass.

(2) Whenever possible, using the criteria set forth in paragraph (1), the report shall compare the election conducted pursuant to this section to similar elections not conducted pursuant to this section in the same jurisdiction or comparable jurisdictions.

(3) Within six months after the date of the election or before the date of a subsequent election conducted pursuant to this section, whichever is sooner, the eligible entity shall do all of the following with respect to the report required by this subdivision:

(A) Submit the report to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(B) Submit the report to the Secretary of State.

(C) Post the report on the Internet Web site of the elections official.

(k) For purposes of this section, “eligible entity” means both of the following:

(1) San Diego County.

(2) A city, school district, community college district, special district, or other district or political subdivision organized pursuant to state law, whose boundaries are located wholly or partially within San Diego County.

(l) An election conducted pursuant to this section is not subject to Section 4001.5.

(m) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2021, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2021, deletes or extends that date.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 764, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2021, by its own provisions.)

4001.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, as a pilot program, elections in San Mateo County, Yolo County, Sacramento County, and Monterey County may be conducted wholly by mail if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The governing body of the city, county, or district, by resolution, authorizes the all-mailed ballot election and notifies the Secretary of State of its intent to conduct an all-mailed ballot election at least 88 days before the date of the election.

(2) The election does not occur on the same date as a statewide primary or general election or any other election conducted in an overlapping jurisdiction that is not consolidated and conducted wholly by mail pursuant to this section.

(3) The election is not a special election to fill a vacancy in a state office, the Legislature, or Congress.

(4) (A) At least one ballot drop-off location is provided per city or the ballot drop-off locations are fixed in a manner so that the number of residents for each ballot drop-off location does not exceed 100,000 on the 88th day before the day of election, whichever results in more drop-off locations. A ballot drop-off location shall be open during business hours to receive voted ballots beginning 28 days before the date of the election and until 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

(B) (i) For San Mateo County and Yolo County, at least one polling place is provided per city.

(ii) For Monterey County and Sacramento County, at least one polling place is provided for every 50,000 registered voters, with a minimum of one polling place per city, in a manner so that the number of registered voters for each polling place does not exceed 50,000 on the 88th day before the day of election, whichever results in more polling places.

(iii) A polling place provided pursuant to this subparagraph shall allow voters to request a ballot between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the election if they have not received their ballots in the mail or if they need replacement ballots for any other reason.

(C) Upon the request of the city, county, or district, the elections official, at his or her discretion, may provide additional ballot drop-off locations and polling places.

(5) The elections official delivers to each voter all supplies necessary for the use and return of the mail ballot, including an envelope for the return of the voted mail ballot with postage prepaid.

(6) The elections official delivers to each voter, with either the sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 or with the voter’s ballot, a list of the ballot drop-off locations and polling places provided pursuant to paragraph (4), and also posts that list on the Internet Web site of the county elections office.

(7) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Section 3017.

(8) (A) The polling places provided under this section are at an accessible location and are equipped with voting units or systems that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that provide the same opportunity for access and participation, including the ability to vote privately and independently.

(B) A ballot drop-off location provided for under this section shall consist of a locked ballot box located in a secure public building that meets the accessibility requirements for a polling place.

(9) Elections in the county conducted pursuant to this section may be held on no more than three different dates.

(b) (1) If the county conducts an all-mailed ballot election pursuant to this section, on or before December 31, 2017, the county shall report to the Legislature and to the Secretary of State regarding the success of the election, including, but not limited to, any statistics on the cost to conduct the election; the turnout of different populations, including, but not limited to, to the extent possible, the population categories of race, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, permanent vote by mail status, and political party affiliation; the number of ballots not counted and the reasons they were rejected; voter fraud; and, any other problems that become known to the county during the election or canvass.

(2) Whenever possible, using the criteria set forth in paragraph (1), the report of the county shall compare the success of the all-mailed ballot election to similar elections not conducted wholly by mail in the same jurisdiction or comparable jurisdictions.

(3) The report of the county shall be submitted to the Legislature pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code within six months after the date of the all-mailed ballot election or before the date of any other all-mailed ballot election subject to this section to be conducted in the county, whichever is sooner.

(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 730, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016. Repealed as of January 1, 2018, by its own provisions.)

4001.5.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, as a pilot program, a county may conduct an all-mailed ballot special election or special consolidated election if the special election or special consolidated election is a special election to fill a vacancy in a congressional or legislative office.

(b) A special election or special consolidated election described in subdivision (a) may be conducted wholly as an all-mailed ballot election if all of the following apply:

(1) (A) The county board of supervisors, by resolution, approves the county’s participation in the pilot program established by this section. A county may only participate in the pilot program if the percentage of permanent vote by mail voters in the county equals or exceeds 50 percent of the total number of voters in the county, as determined at the most recent statewide general election.

(B) If a county board of supervisors adopts a resolution pursuant to subparagraph (A), the county board of supervisors shall transmit the resolution to the Secretary of State within 10 days of adopting the resolution. Within 10 days of receiving a resolution adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary of State shall notify the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee, established pursuant to Section 2053, and the Language Accessibility Advisory Committee, established pursuant to Section 2600, of the county’s participation in the pilot program.

(2) The county board of supervisors, by resolution, authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election and the congressional or legislative district lies wholly or partially within the county.

(3) The election does not occur on the same date as a statewide direct primary election, statewide general election, or any other election conducted in an overlapping jurisdiction that is not consolidated and conducted wholly by mail.

(4) (A) At least one ballot dropoff location is provided per city that is open during business hours to receive voted ballots beginning not less than seven days before the date of the election.

(B) The number of dropoff locations in unincorporated areas shall be based on the number of unincorporated registered voters divided by 100,000 (rounded to the next whole number) with no less than one location to be selected.

(C) A ballot dropoff location provided for under this section shall consist of a locked ballot box located in a secure public building that meets the accessibility requirements for a polling place.

(5) On at least one Saturday and Sunday on or after the date the county elections official first delivers ballots to voters, the county elections official allows any voter to vote the ballot at a satellite location within the county pursuant to Section 3018. The county elections official shall determine the hours of operation for each Saturday and Sunday, provided that the satellite location is open to voters for a minimum of six hours on each designated Saturday and Sunday.

(6) (A) The polling places are fixed in a manner so that there is one polling place for every 10,000 registered voters within the county, or the portion of the county in which the special election is being held, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the election. A polling place shall allow a voter to request and vote a ballot between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

(B) The polling places provided under this section shall be established in accordance with the accessibility requirements described in Article 5 (commencing with Section 12280) of Chapter 3 of Division 12, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.), and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), and shall, to the extent possible, ensure that access is evenly distributed throughout the county, or the portion of the county in which the special election is being held.

(C) The polling places provided under this section shall be established at accessible locations and shall be equipped with voting units or systems that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that provide the same opportunity for access and participation as is provided to voters who are not disabled, including the ability to vote privately and independently in accordance with Sections 12280 and 19240.

(D) The county elections official shall consider proximity to public transportation in determining the polling places to provide under this section.

(E) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for which the county elections official is required to recruit precinct board members who are fluent in a language in addition to English pursuant to the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), the county elections official shall ensure that the polling place is staffed by precinct board members who speak that language.

(F) If a polling place consolidates one or more precincts for which the county elections official is required to recruit precinct board members who are fluent in a language in addition to English pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 12303, the county elections official shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the polling place is staffed by precinct board members who speak that language.

(7) (A) The county elections official delivers to each voter all supplies necessary for the use and return of the mail ballot, including an envelope for the return of the voted mail ballot with postage prepaid.

(B) In addition to the items required to be delivered to each voter under subparagraph (C), the county elections official delivers to each voter a notice, translated in all languages required under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), that informs voters that an all-mailed ballot election is being conducted. The county elections official may send only one notice to a household if multiple registered voters reside within that household.

(C) The county elections official delivers to each voter, with the sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 and with the voter’s ballot, all of the following:

(i) A notice, translated in all languages required under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), that informs voters of all of the following:

(I) An all-mailed ballot election is being conducted and each eligible voter will receive a ballot by mail.

(II) The voter may cast a ballot in person at a satellite location provided for under paragraph (5) or at a polling place on election day.

(III) The voter may request the county elections official to send a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English pursuant to Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in a language other than English pursuant to Section 14201.

(ii) A list of the ballot dropoff locations, satellite locations, and polling places established pursuant to this section. The list shall also be posted on the Internet Web site of the county elections official.

(iii) A postage-paid postcard that the voter may return to the county elections official for the purpose of requesting a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English.

(8) (A) The county elections official submits to the Secretary of State a voter education and outreach plan to be implemented by the county for any election conducted pursuant to this section. The voter education and outreach plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:

(i) One education and outreach meeting that includes representatives, advocates, and other stakeholders representing each community for which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance in a language other than English under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(ii) One education and outreach meeting that includes representatives from community organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals with disabilities.

(iii) At least one in-person bilingual voter education workshop for each language in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(iv) At least one in-person voter education workshop to increase accessibility for participation of eligible voters with disabilities.

(v) A toll-free voter assistance hotline maintained by the county elections official that is operational no later than the date that vote by mail ballots are mailed to voters until 5 p.m. on the day after the special election. The toll-free voter assistance hotline shall provide assistance to voters in all languages in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(vi) At least one public service announcement in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve English-speaking citizens for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline.

(vii) At least one public service announcement in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve non-English-speaking citizens for each language in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline.

(viii) A voter education social media strategy that is developed in partnership with community organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, non-English-speaking individuals and individuals with disabilities.

(ix) The registration rates, participation rates, and rejection rates, including the reasons for rejection, of permanent vote by mail voters and in-person voters for the county. If the information is readily available, the county elections official shall include any statistics on the turnout of different populations, including, but not limited to, the population categories of race, ethnicity, language preference, age, gender, and disability. If the data reflects significant disparities in voter accessibility and participation, the county elections official shall include a statement of how he or she plans to address each disparity.

(B) The voter education and outreach plan shall be posted on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State and on the Internet Web site of the county elections official.

(9) (A) The county elections official establishes a community election advisory committee that consists of community members representing minority groups covered under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) and subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and voters with disabilities including, but not limited to, mobility, sensory, physical, and mental disabilities. In lieu of a community election advisory committee, the county elections official may establish both a local voting accessibility advisory committee pursuant to the guidelines promulgated by the Secretary of State and a local language accessibility advisory committee. For purposes of this section, a local language accessibility advisory committee shall consist of community members representing minority groups covered under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) and subdivision (c) of Section 14201.

(B) The advisory committee or committees described in subparagraph (A) shall hold at least one meeting in the year prior to an all-mailed ballot election conducted pursuant to this section.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the election day procedures shall be conducted in accordance with Division 14 (commencing with Section 14000).

(d) The county elections official may provide, at his or her discretion, additional ballot dropoff locations and polling places for purposes of this section.

(e) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Sections 3017 and 3020.

(f) Participating in the pilot program established by this section does not preclude the use of a remote accessible vote by mail system.

(g) (1) If the county conducts a special election pursuant to this section, it may process vote by mail ballot return envelopes beginning 29 days before the election. Processing vote by mail ballot return envelopes may include verifying the voter’s signature on the vote by mail ballot return envelope and updating voter history records.

(2) If the county conducts a special election pursuant to this section, it may start to process vote by mail ballots on the 10th business day before the election. Processing vote by mail ballots includes opening vote by mail ballot return envelopes, removing ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots, and preparing the ballots to be machine read, or machine reading them, but under no circumstances shall a vote count be accessed or released until 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

(h) Results of any vote by mail ballot tabulation or count shall not be released before the close of the polls on the day of the election.

(i) For the sole purpose of reporting the results of an election conducted pursuant to this section, upon completion of the ballot count, the county elections official shall divide the county, or the portion of the county in which the special election is being held into precincts pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 12220) of Chapter 3 of Division 12 and shall prepare a statement of the results of the election in accordance with Sections 15373 and 15374.

(j) The county elections official shall compile an index, list, or file of all persons who voted in an election conducted pursuant to this section. If the county elections official uses data-processing equipment to compile the index, list, or file, he or she shall retain an accurate copy of that index, list, or file in electronic format for a period of 10 years.

(k) (1) If an election is conducted pursuant to this section, the county shall report to the Legislature and to the Secretary of State regarding the success of the election, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Any statistics on the cost to conduct the election.

(B) The turnout of different populations, including, but not limited to, and to the extent possible, the population categories of race, ethnicity, language preference, age, gender, disability, permanent vote by mail status, and political party preference.

(C) The number of ballots that were not counted and the reasons they were rejected.

(D) Voter fraud.

(E) Any other problems that become known to the county during the election or canvass.

(2) Whenever possible, using the criteria set forth in paragraph (1), the report shall compare the election conducted pursuant to this section to similar elections not conducted pursuant to this section in the same county or comparable counties.

(3) Within six months after the date of the election or before the date of a subsequent election conducted pursuant to this section, whichever is sooner, the county shall do all of the following with respect to the report required by this subdivision:

(A) Submit the report to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(B) Submit the report to the Secretary of State.

(C) Post the report on the Internet Web site of the county elections official.

(l) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2021, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2021, deletes or extends that date.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 764, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2021, by its own provisions.)

4002.

Notwithstanding Section 4000, a special district may conduct its elections by mail in accordance with Sections 1500, 4104, 4105, and 4108.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 86, Sec. 1. Effective July 19, 2005.)

4003.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever any district has adopted the all-mailed ballot procedure for conducting general district elections pursuant to Section 4104 and any other election is scheduled to be held in territory that is the same or partly the territory of the district on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the odd-numbered year, the district may, by resolution of the governing board, revoke the adoption of the all-mailed ballot procedure and order the general district election consolidated with the other election pursuant to Section 10402.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

4004.

(a) “Small city” means a city with a population of 100,000 or less, as determined by the annual city total population rankings by the Demographic Research Unit of the Department of Finance.

(b) “Eligible entity” means a school district or a special district.

(c) Notwithstanding Sections 1500 and 4000, an election in a small city or an eligible entity may be conducted wholly as an all-mail ballot election, subject to the following conditions:

(1) The legislative body of the small city or the governing body of the eligible entity, by resolution, authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election.

(2) The election is a special election to fill a vacancy in the legislative body or governing body.

(3) The election is not held on the same date as a statewide primary or general election.

(4) The election is not consolidated with any other election.

(5) The return of voted mail ballots is subject to Section 3017.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 86, Sec. 2. Effective July 19, 2005.)

4005.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, on or after January 1, 2018, the Counties of Calaveras, Inyo, Madera, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Shasta, Sierra, Sutter, and Tuolumne, and, except as provided in Section 4007, on or after January 1, 2020, any county may conduct any election as an all-mailed ballot election if all of the following apply:

(1) (A) At least two ballot dropoff locations are provided within the jurisdiction where the election is held or the number of ballot dropoff locations are fixed in a manner so that there is at least one ballot dropoff location provided for every 15,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the election, whichever results in more ballot dropoff locations. For purposes of this subparagraph, a vote center that includes an exterior ballot drop box counts only as a single ballot dropoff location. Ballot dropoff locations shall comply with the regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 3025.

(B) A ballot dropoff location provided for under this section consists of a secure, accessible, and locked ballot box located as near as possible to established public transportation routes and that is able to receive voted ballots. All ballot dropoff locations shall be open at least during regular business hours beginning not less than 28 days before the day of the election, and on the day of the election. At least one ballot dropoff location shall be an accessible, secured, exterior drop box that is available for a minimum of 12 hours per day including regular business hours.

(2) (A) The county elections official permits a voter residing in the county to do any of the following at a vote center:

(i) Return, or vote and return, his or her vote by mail ballot.

(ii) Register to vote, update his or her voter registration, and vote pursuant to Section 2170.

(iii) Receive and vote a provisional ballot pursuant to Section 3016 or Article 5 (commencing with Section 14310) of Chapter 3 of Division 14.

(iv) Receive a replacement ballot upon verification that a ballot for the same election has not been received from the voter by the county elections official. If the county elections official is unable to determine if a ballot for the same election has been received from the voter, the county elections official may issue a provisional ballot.

(v) Vote a regular, provisional, or replacement ballot using accessible voting equipment that provides for a private and independent voting experience.

(B) Each vote center shall have at least three voting machines that are accessible to voters with disabilities.

(3) (A) On the day of the election, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., inclusive, and on each of the three days before the election, for a minimum of eight hours per day, at least one vote center is provided for every 10,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the election. At least 90 percent of the number of vote centers required by this subparagraph shall be open for all four days during the required times. Up to 10 percent of the number of vote centers required by this subparagraph may be open for less than four days if at least one vote center is provided for every 10,000 registered voters on each day.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for a jurisdiction with fewer than 20,000 registered voters, a minimum of two voter centers are provided on the day of the election and on each of the three days before the election within the jurisdiction where the election is held.

(4) (A) Beginning 10 days before the day of the election and continuing daily up to and including the fourth day before the election, for a minimum of eight hours per day, at least one vote center is provided for every 50,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the election.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for a jurisdiction with fewer than 50,000 registered voters, a minimum of two vote centers are provided within the jurisdiction where the election is held.

(C) The vote centers provided under this section are established in accordance with the accessibility requirements described in Article 5 (commencing with Section 12280) of Chapter 3 of Division 12, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.), and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(D) The vote centers provided under this section are equitably distributed across the county so as to afford maximally convenient options for voters and are established at accessible locations as near as possible to established public transportation routes. The vote centers shall be equipped with voting units or systems that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that provide the same opportunity for access and participation as is provided to voters who are not disabled, including the ability to vote privately and independently in accordance with Sections 12280 and 19240.

(E) (i) The vote centers provided under this section have an electronic mechanism for the county elections official to immediately access, at a minimum, all of the following voter registration data:

(I) Name.

(II) Address.

(III) Date of birth.

(IV) Language preference.

(V) Party preference.

(VI) Precinct.

(VII) Whether or not the voter has been issued a vote by mail ballot and whether or not a ballot has been received by the county elections official.

(ii) The electronic mechanism used to access voter registration data shall not be connected in any way to a voting system.

(5) A method is available for voters with disabilities to request and receive a blank vote by mail ballot and, if a replacement ballot is necessary, a blank replacement ballot that voters with disabilities can read and mark privately and independently pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.).

(6)  (A)  Except as otherwise provided for in this section, election boards for the vote centers established under this section meet the requirements for eligibility and composition pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 12300) of Chapter 4 of Division 12.

(B) Each vote center provides language assistance in all languages required in the jurisdiction under subdivision (c) of Section 12303 or Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) in a manner that enables voters of the applicable language minority groups to participate effectively in the electoral process. Each vote center shall post information regarding the availability of language assistance in English and all other languages for which language assistance is required to be provided in the jurisdiction under subdivision (c) of Section 12303 or Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(i) If a vote center is located in, or adjacent to, a precinct, census tract, or other defined geographical subsection required to establish language requirements under subdivision (c) of Section 12303 or Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), or if it is identified as needing language assistance through the public input process described in clause (ii), the county elections official shall ensure that the vote center is staffed by election board members who speak the required language. If the county elections official is unable to recruit election board members who speak the required language, alternative methods of effective language assistance shall be provided by the county elections official.

(ii) The county elections official shall solicit public input regarding which vote centers should be staffed by election board members who are fluent in a language in addition to English pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 12303 and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(iii) The county elections official shall provide notice in the sample ballot, in vote by mail materials, and on his or her Internet Web site of the specific language services available at each vote center.

(C) Each vote center provides election materials translated in all languages required in the jurisdiction under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(D) Each vote center provides reasonable modifications and auxiliary aids and services as required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.) and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 701 et seq.).

(7) (A) Beginning 10 days before the election, the county elections official maintains, in an electronic format, an index of voters who have done any of the following at one of the voter centers established pursuant to this section:

(i) Registered to vote or updated his or her voter registration.

(ii) Received and voted a provisional ballot or replacement ballot.

(iii) Voted a ballot using equipment at the vote center.

(B) The index required by subparagraph (A) includes the same information for each voter as is required to be included on copies of the index of affidavits of voter registration that are posted pursuant to Section 14294. The index required by subparagraph (A) shall be updated continuously during any time that a vote center is open in the jurisdiction.

(8) (A) Beginning 29 days before the day of the election, the county elections official mails to each registered voter a vote by mail ballot packet that includes a return envelope with instructions for the use and return of the vote by mail ballot.

(B) The county elections official delivers to each voter, with either the sample ballot sent pursuant to Section 13303 or with the vote by mail ballot packet, all of the following:

(i) A notice, translated in all languages required under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), that informs voters of all of the following:

(I) An all-mailed ballot election is being conducted and each eligible voter will be issued a vote by mail ballot by mail.

(II) The voter may cast a vote by mail ballot in person at a vote center during the times and days specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) or on election day.

(III) No later than seven days before the day of the election, the voter may request the county elections official to send a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English pursuant to Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) or a facsimile copy of the ballot printed in a language other than English pursuant to Section 14201.

(IV) No later than seven days before the day of the election, the voter may request the county elections official to send or deliver a ballot that voters with disabilities can read and mark privately and independently pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.).

(ii) A list of the ballot dropoff locations and vote centers established pursuant to this section, including the dates and hours they are open. The list shall also be posted on the Internet Web site of the county elections official in a format that is accessible for people with disabilities pursuant to Section 11135 of the Government Code.

(iii) A postage-paid postcard that the voter may return to the county elections official for the purpose of requesting a vote by mail ballot in a language other than English or for the purpose of requesting a vote by mail ballot in an accessible format.

(C) Upon request, the county elections official provides written voting materials to voters with disabilities in an accessible format, as required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.) and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 701 et seq.).

(9) (A) The county elections official establishes a language accessibility advisory committee that is comprised of representatives of language minority communities. The committee shall be established no later than October 1 of the year before the first election conducted pursuant to this section. The committee shall hold its first meeting no later than April 1 of the year in which the first election is conducted pursuant to this section.

(B) The county elections official establishes a voting accessibility advisory committee that is comprised of voters with disabilities. The committee shall be established no later than October 1 of the year before the first election conducted pursuant to this section. The committee shall hold its first meeting no later than April 1 of the year in which the first election is conducted pursuant to this section.

(C) A county with fewer than 50,000 registered voters may establish a joint advisory committee for language minority communities and voters with disabilities.

(10) (A) The county elections official develops a draft plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section in consultation with the public, including both of the following:

(i) One meeting, publicly noticed at least 10 days in advance of the meeting, that includes representatives, advocates, and other stakeholders representing each community for which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance in a language other than English under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(ii) One meeting, publicly noticed at least 10 days in advance of the meeting, that includes representatives from the disability community and community organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals with disabilities.

(B) The county elections official, when developing the draft plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section, considers, at a minimum, all of the following:

(i) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to public transportation.

(ii) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to communities with historically low vote by mail usage.

(iii) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to population centers.

(iv) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to language minority communities.

(v) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to voters with disabilities.

(vi) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to communities with low rates of household vehicle ownership.

(vii) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to low-income communities.

(viii) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to communities of eligible voters who are not registered to vote and may need access to same day voter registration.

(ix) Vote center and ballot dropoff location proximity to geographically isolated populations, including Native American reservations.

(x) Access to accessible and free parking at vote centers and ballot dropoff locations.

(xi) The distance and time a voter must travel by car or public transportation to a vote center and ballot dropoff location.

(xii) The need for alternate methods for voters with disabilities for whom vote by mail ballots are not accessible to cast a ballot.

(xiii) Traffic patterns near vote centers and ballot dropoff locations.

(xiv) The need for mobile vote centers in addition to the number of vote centers established pursuant to this section.

(C) The county elections official publicly notices the draft plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section and accepts public comments on the draft plan for at least 14 days before the hearing held pursuant to subparagraph (D).

(D) (i) Following the 14-day review period required by subparagraph (C), the county elections official holds a public meeting to consider the draft plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section and to accept public comments. The meeting shall be publicly noticed at least 10 days in advance of the meeting on the Internet Web sites of the clerk of the county board of supervisors and the county elections official, or, if neither the clerk of the county board of supervisors nor the county elections official maintain an Internet Web site, in the office of the county elections official.

(ii) After the public hearing to consider the draft plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section and to accept public comments, the county elections official shall consider any public comments he or she receives from the public and shall amend the draft plan in response to the public comments to the extent he or she deems appropriate. The county elections official shall publicly notice the amended draft plan and shall accept public comments on the amended draft plan for at least 14 days before the county elections official may adopt the amended draft plan pursuant to subparagraph (E).

(E) (i) Following the 14-day review and comment period required by clause (ii) of subparagraph (D), the county elections official may adopt a final plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section, and shall submit the voter education and outreach plan that is required by clause (i) of subparagraph (I) to the Secretary of State for approval.

(ii) The Secretary of State shall approve, approve with modifications, or reject a voter education and outreach plan submitted pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (I) within 14 days after the plan is submitted by the county elections official.

(iii) The draft plan, the amended draft plan, and the adopted final plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section shall be posted on the Internet Web site of the county elections official in each language in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), and the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site in a format that is accessible for people with disabilities pursuant to Section 11135 of the Government Code.

(F) Public meetings held pursuant to this paragraph shall, upon request, provide auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with people with disabilities.

(G) Within two years of the adoption of the first plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section, the county elections official shall hold public meetings in accordance with the procedures described in subparagraphs (C) to (F), inclusive, to consider revising the first plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section. Every four years thereafter, the county elections official shall hold public meetings in accordance with the procedures described in subparagraphs (C) to (F), inclusive, to consider revising the plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section.

(H) (i) With reasonable public notification, a county elections official may amend a plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section no more than 120 days before the date of an election held pursuant to this section.

(ii) With reasonable public notification, a county elections official may amend a plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section more than 120 days before the date of an election held pursuant to this section if he or she provides at least 30 days to accept public comments on the amended plan.

(I) The plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section, includes all of the following:

(i) A voter education and outreach plan that is approved by the Secretary of State and that includes all of the following:

(I) A description of how the county elections official will use the media, including social media, newspapers, radio, and television that serve language minority communities for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline.

(II) A description of how the county elections official will use the media, including social media, newspapers, radio, and television for purposes of informing voters of the availability of a vote by mail ballot in an accessible format and the process for requesting such a ballot.

(III) A description of how the county elections official will have a community presence to educate voters regarding the provisions of this section.

(IV) A description of the accessible information that will be publicly available on the accessible Internet Web site of the county elections official.

(V) A description of the method used by the county elections official to identify language minority voters.

(VI) A description of how the county elections official will educate and communicate the provisions of this section to the public, including:

(ia) Communities for which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance in a language other than English under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.). The county elections official shall hold at least one bilingual voter education workshop for each language in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance in a language other than English under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(ib) The disability community, including organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals with disabilities. The county elections official shall hold at least one voter education workshop to increase accessibility and participation of eligible voters with disabilities.

(VII) A description of how the county will spend the necessary resources on voter education and outreach to ensure that voters are fully informed about the election. This description shall include information about the amount of money the county plans to spend on voter education and outreach activities under the plan, and how that compares to the amount of money spent on voter education and outreach in recent similar elections in the same jurisdiction that were not conducted pursuant to this section.

(VIII) At least one public service announcement in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve English-speaking citizens for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline. Outreach made under this subclause shall include access for voters who are deaf or hard of hearing and voters who are blind or visually impaired.

(IX) At least one public service announcement in the media, including newspapers, radio, and television, that serve non-English-speaking citizens for each language in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.) for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline.

(X) At least two direct contacts with voters for purposes of informing voters of the upcoming election and promoting the toll-free voter assistance hotline. The two direct contacts are in addition to any other required contacts including, but not limited to, sample ballots and the delivery of vote by mail ballots.

(ii) A description of how a voter with disabilities may request and receive a blank vote by mail ballot and, if a replacement ballot is necessary, a blank replacement ballot that a voter with disabilities can mark privately and independently.

(iii) A description of how the county elections official will address significant disparities in voter accessibility and participation identified in the report required by subdivision (g).

(iv) A description of the methods and standards that the county elections official will use to ensure the security of voting conducted at vote centers.

(v) Information about estimated short-term and long-term costs and savings from conducting elections pursuant to this section as compared to recent similar elections in the same jurisdiction that were not conducted pursuant to this section.

(vi) To the extent available at the time of publication, information on all of the following:

(I) The total number of vote centers to be established.

(II) The total number of ballot dropoff locations to be established.

(III) The location of each vote center.

(IV) The location of each ballot dropoff location and whether it is inside or outside.

(V) A map of the locations of each vote center and ballot dropoff location.

(VI) The hours of operation for each vote center.

(VII) The hours of operation for each ballot dropoff location.

(VIII) The security and contingency plans that would be implemented by the county elections official to do both of the following:

(ia) Prevent a disruption of the vote center process.

(ib) Ensure that the election is properly conducted if a disruption occurs.

(IX) The number of election board members and the number of bilingual election board members and the languages spoken.

(X) The services provided to voters with disabilities, including, but not limited to, the type and number of accessible voting machines and reasonable modifications at each vote center.

(XI) The design, layout, and placement of equipment inside each voter center that protects each voter’s right to cast a private and independent ballot.

(vii) A toll-free voter assistance hotline that is accessible to voters who are deaf or hard of hearing, and that is maintained by the county elections official that is operational no later than 29 days before the day of the election until 5 p.m. on the day after the election. The toll-free voter assistance hotline shall provide assistance to voters in all languages in which the county is required to provide voting materials and assistance under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(J) The plan for the administration of elections conducted pursuant to this section is posted in a format that is accessible to persons with disabilities on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State and on the Internet Web site of the county elections official.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, on or after January 1, 2018, the Counties of Calaveras, Inyo, Madera, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Shasta, Sierra, Sutter, and Tuolumne, and on or after January 1, 2020, any county may conduct a special election as an all-mailed ballot election under this section if all of the following apply:

(1) The county elections official has done either of the following:

(A) Previously conducted an election as an all-mailed ballot election in accordance with subdivision (a).

(B) Adopted a final plan for the administration of elections pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (E) of paragraph (9) of subdivision (a), in which case the county elections official shall complete all activities provided for in the voter education and outreach plan that is required by clause (i) of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) before the day of the special election.

(2) (A) On the day of election, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., inclusive, at least one vote center is provided for every 30,000 registered voters. If the jurisdiction is not wholly contained within the county, the county elections official shall make a reasonable effort to establish a vote center within the jurisdiction where the special election is held.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for a jurisdiction with fewer than 30,000 registered voters, the county elections official makes a reasonable effort to establish a vote center.

(3) (A) Not less than 10 days before the day of the election, for a minimum of eight hours per day, at least one vote center is provided for every 60,000 registered voters. If the jurisdiction is not wholly contained within the county, the county elections official shall make a reasonable effort to establish a vote center within the jurisdiction where the special election is held.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for a jurisdiction with fewer than 30,000 registered voters, the county elections official makes a reasonable effort to establish a vote center.

(4) (A) At least one ballot dropoff location is provided for every 15,000 registered voters. At least one ballot dropoff location shall be located within the jurisdiction where the special election is held. All ballot dropoff locations shall be open at least during regular business hours beginning not less than 28 days before the day of the election, and on the day of the election.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for a jurisdiction with fewer than 15,000 registered voters, at least one ballot dropoff location shall be provided.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the election day procedures shall be conducted in accordance with Division 14 (commencing with Section 14000).

(d) The county elections official may provide, at his or her discretion, additional ballot dropoff locations and vote centers for purposes of this section.

(e) The return of voted vote by mail ballots is subject to Sections 3017 and 3020.

(f) For the sole purpose of reporting the results of an election conducted pursuant to this section, upon completion of the ballot count, the county elections official shall divide the jurisdiction into precincts pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 12220) of Chapter 3 of Division 12 and shall prepare a statement of the results of the election in accordance with Sections 15373 and 15374.

(g) (1) (A) Within six months of each election conducted pursuant to this section or Section 4007, the Secretary of State shall report to the Legislature, to the extent possible, all of the following information by categories of race, ethnicity, language preference, age, gender, disability, permanent vote by mail status, historical polling place voters, political party affiliation, and language minorities as it relates to the languages required under subdivision (c) of Section 14201 and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.):

(i) Voter turnout.

(ii) Voter registration.

(iii) Ballot rejection rates.

(iv) Reasons for ballot rejection.

(v) Provisional ballot use.

(vi) Accessible vote by mail ballot use.

(vii) The number of votes cast at each vote center.

(viii) The number of ballots returned at ballot dropoff locations.

(ix) The number of ballots returned by mail.

(x) The number of persons who registered to vote at a vote center.

(xi) Instances of voter fraud.

(xii) Any other problems that became known to the county elections official or the Secretary of State during the election or canvass.

(B) The report required by subparagraph (A) shall be posted on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State in a format that is accessible for people with disabilities pursuant to Section 11135 of the Government Code.

(C) The report required by subparagraph (A) shall be submitted to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(D) If an election is conducted pursuant to this section, the county shall submit, to the extent possible, to the Secretary of State the information needed for the Secretary of State to prepare the report required by subparagraph (A).

(2) The county elections official shall post on his or her Internet Web site a report that compares the cost of elections conducted pursuant to this section to the costs of previous elections. The report shall be posted in a format that is accessible for people with disabilities pursuant to Section 11135 of the Government Code.

(h) The Secretary of State shall enforce the provisions of this section pursuant to Section 12172.5 of the Government Code.

(i) For purposes of this section, “disability” has the same meaning as defined in subdivisions (j), (m), and (n) of Section 12926 of the Government Code.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 832, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2017.)

4006.

For any election conducted pursuant to Section 4005, the county elections official shall make a reasonable effort to inform a voter of either of the following:

(a) If the voter’s vote by mail ballot envelope is missing a signature.

(b) How the voter can correct the missing signature.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 832, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2017.)

4007.

(a) On or after January 1, 2020, the County of Los Angeles may conduct any election as a vote center election if all of the following apply:

(1) The county elections official complies with all the provisions of subdivision (a) of Section 4005 that are not inconsistent with this section.

(2) Every permanent vote by mail voter receives a ballot.

(3) At least two ballot dropoff locations are provided within the jurisdiction where the election is held or the number of ballot dropoff locations are fixed in a manner so that there is at least one ballot dropoff location provided for every 15,000 permanent vote by mail registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the election, whichever results in more ballot dropoff locations.

(4) Within the jurisdiction where the election is held, at least one vote center is provided for each city that has at least 1,000 registered voters according to the official report of registration submitted by the county elections official to the Secretary of State before the last general election.

(5) On the day of the election, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., inclusive, and on each of the three days before the election, for a minimum of eight hours per day, at least one vote center is provided for every 7,500 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on the 88th day before the day of the election. At least 90 percent of the number of vote centers required by this subparagraph shall be open for all four days during the required times. Up to 10 percent of the number of vote centers required by this subparagraph may be open for less than four days if at least one vote center is provided for every 7,500 registered voters on each day.

(6) Beginning 10 days before the day of the election and continuing up to and including the fourth day before the day of the election, for a minimum of eight hours per day, at least one vote center is provided for every 30,000 registered voters within the jurisdiction where the election is held, as determined on the 88th day before the election.

(7) Precincts with fewer than 500 registered voters are designated as all vote-by-mail ballot precincts.

(8) Voters residing in a legislative or congressional district that lies partially within the County of Los Angeles and that also lies within another county that is conducting an election pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4005 receive a vote by mail ballot if they are eligible to vote in that election.

(9) Voters in a precinct that is either more than a 30 minute travel time from a vote center or in which the polling place in the most recent statewide general election is more than 15 miles from the nearest vote center are mailed a vote by mail ballot.

(10) The vote centers are located within a reasonable travel time of registered voters.

(11) The county elections official conducts a service area analysis of the vote center plans, identifies services gaps, and publicly reports those findings.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4000 or any other law, on or after January 1, 2020, the County of Los Angeles may conduct a special election as an all-mailed ballot election pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4005.

(c) No later than four years after conducting the first vote center election pursuant to this section, the County of Los Angeles may conduct all-mailed ballot elections pursuant to Section 4005 and shall not conduct vote center elections pursuant to this section.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 832, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2017.)

4008.

(a) The Secretary of State shall establish a taskforce that includes representatives of all of the following:

(1) County elections officials.

(2) Individuals with demonstrated language accessibility experience for languages covered under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(3) The disability community and community organizations and individuals that advocate on behalf of, or provide services to, individuals with disabilities.

(4) Experts with demonstrated experience in the field of elections.

(b) The taskforce shall review elections conducted pursuant to Section 4005 or 4007 and provide comments and recommendations to the Legislature within six months of each election conducted pursuant to Section 4005 or 4007.

(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2022, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2022, deletes or extends that date.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 832, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2022, by its own provisions.)

CHAPTER 2. Conduct of Mail Ballot Elections [4100 - 4108]

4100.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, mail ballot elections shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 3.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

4101.

Notwithstanding Sections 13300 and 13303, the elections official shall not commence to mail the combined county voter information guide and mail ballot before the 29th day before the election and shall complete the mailing by the 10th day before the election.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 2017.)

4102.

The elections official may include in the mailings set forth in Section 4101 a printed notice to the voters informing the voters that they may return the voted ballot by certified or registered mail.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

4103.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 3020, ballots cast under this chapter shall be returned to the elections official from whom they were obtained no later than 8 p.m. on election day.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any vote by mail ballot cast under this chapter shall be timely cast if it is received by the voter’s elections official via the United States Postal Service or a bona fide private mail delivery company no later than three days after election day and either of the following is satisfied:

(1) The ballot is postmarked on or before election day or is time stamped or date stamped by a bona fide private mail delivery company on or before election day.

(2) If the ballot has no postmark, a postmark with no date, or an illegible postmark, the vote by mail ballot identification envelope is date stamped by the elections official upon receipt of the vote by mail ballot from the United States Postal Service or a bona fide private mail delivery company, and is signed and dated pursuant to Section 3011 on or before election day.

(c) For purposes of this section, “bona fide private mail delivery company” means a courier service that is in the regular business of accepting a mail item, package, or parcel for the purpose of delivery to a person or entity whose address is specified on the item.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 225, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2017.)

4104.

(a) At the first general district election conducted by all-mailed ballot the following question shall be printed on the ballot and boxes shall be provided for the voter to indicate “Yes” or “No”:

“SHALL THE MAILED BALLOT BE USED TO CONDUCT ALL FUTURE GENERAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS?”

(b) If the majority of the voters favor the all-mailed ballot election it shall be adopted as the procedure for conducting future general district elections. If the question is rejected by the voters it may be resubmitted at any subsequent general district election in the manner provided for in Section 4105.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

4105.

The question set forth in Section 4104, as to whether an all-mailed ballot election is required to be used in the conduct of all future general district elections, shall be printed on the ballot of any general district election upon (a) the adoption of an appropriate resolution by the governing board, or (b) upon the submission of an initiative petition to the governing board signed by voters not less in number than 10 percent of the voters in the district pursuant to the procedure set forth in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 9300) of Division 9.

This section shall apply only to those districts in which an election by all-mailed ballots was conducted pursuant to a resolution adopted by the governing board of the district in the manner provided for by Section 4108.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

4106.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a governing board in the County of San Diego may adopt a resolution requiring its general district election to be held on the same day as the statewide direct primary election or the day of the statewide general election.

(b) If an election is held pursuant to subdivision (a), and the election is consolidated with another election, Part 3 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 10 shall govern the consolidation and, if the county elections official is requested to conduct the election, Section 10002 shall apply to that election.

(c) If, pursuant to subdivision (a), a general district election is held on the same day as a statewide election, those officers whose four-year terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the resolution, expired on the first Friday in December following the general district election in an odd-numbered year shall, instead, either continue in their offices until no later than the fourth Tuesday after the day of the general district election or, at the option of the governing board, cease to hold office prior to the expiration of their four-year term and upon the qualification of their successors at the time prescribed by the governing board.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

4107.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the governing board of the Marina County Water District in the County of Monterey may adopt a resolution requiring its general district election to be held on the same day as the statewide direct primary election or the day of the statewide general election.

(b) If an election is held pursuant to subdivision (a), and the election is consolidated with another election, Part 3 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 10 shall govern the consolidation, and, if the county elections official is requested to conduct the election, Section 10002 shall apply to that election.

(c) If, pursuant to subdivision (a), a general district election is held on the same day as a statewide election, those officers whose four-year terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the resolution, expired on the first Friday in December following the general district election in an odd-numbered year shall, instead, either continue in their offices until no later than the fourth Tuesday after the day of the general district election or, at the option of the governing board, cease to hold office prior to the expiration of their four-year term and upon the qualification of their successors at the time prescribed by the governing board.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

4108.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law and regardless of the number of eligible voters within its boundaries a district may, by resolution of its governing board, conduct any election by all-mailed ballots pursuant to Division 4 (commencing with Section 4000).

(b) (1) A district conducting an election by all-mailed ballots may consolidate its election with the election of one or more other legislative or congressional districts, public districts, cities, counties, or other political subdivisions if all of the elections to be consolidated will be:

(A) Held on the same day.

(B) Held in the same territory or in a territory that is in part the same.

(C) Conducted wholly by mail.

(2) A district consolidating its election pursuant to subdivision (a) shall order the consolidation pursuant to Section 10400.

(3) A district election that is consolidated with an all-mailed ballot election for a legislative or congressional district shall also comply with any additional statutory requirements that apply to the all-mailed ballot election for that legislative or congressional district.

(c) An election conducted pursuant to this section shall be held on a date prescribed in Section 1500 or on any other date other than an established election date.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 731, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2016.)

CHAPTER 1. New Party Qualifications [5000 - 5006]

5000.

(a) For purposes of this division, the definition of “party” in Section 338 is applicable.

(b) This chapter shall apply to political bodies and to parties not otherwise provided for in Division 7 (commencing with Section 7050).

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1081, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2001.)

5001.

Whenever a group of electors desires to qualify a new political party meeting the requirements of Section 5100 or 5151, that group shall form a political body by:

(a) Holding a caucus or convention at which temporary officers shall be elected and a party name designated. The designated name shall not be so similar to the name of an existing party so as to mislead the voters, and shall not conflict with that of any existing party or political body that has previously filed notice pursuant to subdivision (b).

(b) Filing formal notice with the Secretary of State that the political body has organized, elected temporary officers, and declared an intent to qualify a political party pursuant to either Section 5100 or 5151, but not both. The notice shall include the names and addresses of the temporary officers of the political body.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 71, Sec. 50. Effective January 1, 2015.)

5002.

Upon receipt of the notice specified in Section 5001, the Secretary of State shall notify each county elections official of the name of the political body, its intent to qualify as a political party, and whether it intends to qualify for the next primary election or for the next presidential general election.

In preparing the statement of voters and their political affiliations, the county elections officials shall tabulate by political affiliation the affidavits of registration of members of political parties qualified pursuant to Section 5100 or 5151, and political bodies formally declaring an intent to qualify as political parties pursuant to Section 5001. All other affidavits of registration, except those of persons declining to state a political affiliation, shall be tabulated as miscellaneous registrations.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2014.)

5003.

A political body within the first 70 days after filing the formal notice required by Section 5001 is entitled, upon request to the Secretary of State, to have counted toward its qualification as a political party affidavits of registration in which voters declared affiliation with the political body prior to the date the political body filed the formal notice with the Secretary of State.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

5004.

(a) If by the 135th day before any primary election, a political body filing notice of its intent to qualify for a primary election pursuant to Section 5001 has not qualified as a political party pursuant to Section 5100, the political body shall be considered to have abandoned its attempt to qualify as a political party and shall be ineligible to participate in the following primary election.

(b) If by the 102nd day before a presidential general election, a political body filing notice of its intent to qualify for a presidential general election pursuant to Section 5001 has not qualified as a political party pursuant to Section 5151, the political body shall be considered to have abandoned its attempt to qualify as a political party and shall be ineligible to participate in the following presidential general election.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2014.)

5005.

(a) Until otherwise provided for by statute, a political party newly qualified pursuant to Section 5100 shall carry on its activities in accordance with procedures applicable to any other political party that has detailed statutory provisions applicable to its operation as shall be designated by the newly qualified party. The temporary officers of the newly qualified political party elected pursuant to Section 5001 shall file notice of its selection with the Secretary of State not later than 30 days after the political party qualifies.

(b) Until otherwise provided for by statute, a political party newly qualified pursuant to Section 5151 shall carry on its activities in accordance with procedures applicable to any other political party that has detailed statutory provisions applicable to its operation as shall be designated by the newly qualified party, except that the newly qualified party shall not be required to use a primary election to nominate candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States prior to the presidential general election at which the party qualifies to participate, whose names shall appear on the presidential general election ballot. The temporary officers of the newly qualified political party elected pursuant to Section 5001 shall file notice of its selection with the Secretary of State not later than 30 days after the political party qualifies.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2014.)

5006.

Any political party newly qualifying pursuant to Section 5100 shall conduct its presidential primary election in accordance with procedures applicable to any other political party that has detailed statutory provisions applicable to its presidential primary as shall be designated by the newly qualified party.

If a newly qualified political party has not elected permanent officers, the temporary officers shall notify the Secretary of State of the designated procedures the party has selected for its presidential primary, on or before the 125th day before the presidential primary election.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 724, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1997.)

CHAPTER 2. Parties Qualified to Participate in the Primary Election [5100 - 5102]

5100.

A party is qualified to participate in a primary election under any of the following conditions:

(a) (1) At the last preceding gubernatorial primary election, the sum of the votes cast for all of the candidates for an office voted on throughout the state who disclosed a preference for that party on the ballot was at least 2 percent of the entire vote of the state for that office.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a party may inform the Secretary of State that it declines to have the votes cast for a candidate who has disclosed that party as his or her party preference on the ballot counted toward the 2-percent qualification threshold. If the party wishes to have votes for a candidate not counted in support of its qualification under paragraph (1), the party shall notify the secretary in writing of that candidate’s name by the seventh day before the gubernatorial primary election.

(b) (1) On or before the 135th day before a primary election, it appears to the Secretary of State, as a result of examining and totaling the statement of voters and their declared political preference transmitted to him or her by the county elections officials, that voters equal in number to at least 0.33 percent of the total number of voters registered on the 154th day before the primary election have declared their preference for that party.

(2) A person whose party preference is designated as “Unknown” pursuant to Section 2154 or 2265 shall not be counted for purposes of determining the total number of voters registered on the specified day preceding the election under paragraph (1).

(c) On or before the 135th day before a primary election, there is filed with the Secretary of State a petition signed by voters, equal in number to at least 10 percent of the entire vote of the state at the last preceding gubernatorial election, declaring that they represent a proposed party, the name of which shall be stated in the petition, which proposed party those voters desire to have participate in that primary election. This petition shall be circulated, signed, and verified, and the signatures of the voters on it shall be certified to and transmitted to the Secretary of State by the county elections officials substantially as provided for initiative petitions. Each page of the petition shall bear a caption in 18-point boldface type, which caption shall be the name of the proposed party followed by the words “Petition to participate in the primary election.”

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 32, Sec. 56. Effective June 27, 2016.)

5100.5.

(a) Upon the occurrence of the gubernatorial election, each party shall have its qualifications reviewed by the Secretary of State. A party that does not meet the standards for qualification set forth in Section 5100 shall be prohibited from participating in any primary election. A party shall maintain its qualification to participate in any subsequent primary election by complying with any of the conditions specified in Section 5100.

(b) A party seeking qualification under provisions of this section and subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 5100 shall file formal notice with the Secretary of State that the party intends to regain qualification.

(c) Unless formal notice as required in subdivision (b) is timely received by the Secretary of State, he or she may have the name of the party omitted from any list, notice, ballot, or other publication containing the names of the parties qualified or seeking qualification that the Secretary of State may cause to be printed or published.

(d) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 8001, this section shall only be applicable to a party that has successfully obtained that status for the first time after having been a political body, and shall not apply to a political party that has been disqualified.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1081, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2001.)

5101.

Whenever the registration of any party that qualified in the previous direct primary election falls below one-fifteenth of 1 percent of the total state registration, that party shall not be qualified to participate in the primary election but shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the voters. The Secretary of State shall immediately remove the name of the party from any list, notice, ballot, or other publication containing the names of the parties qualified to participate in the primary election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

5102.

No party shall be recognized or qualified to participate in any primary election that either directly or indirectly carries on, advocates, teaches, justifies, aids, or abets the overthrow by any unlawful means of, or that directly or indirectly carries on, advocates, teaches, justifies, aids, or abets a program of sabotage, force and violence, sedition or treason against, the government of the United States or of this state.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 2.5. Parties Qualified to Participate in the Presidential General Election [5150 - 5154]

5150.

This chapter applies to a political body that did not qualify to participate in a presidential primary election pursuant to Section 5100 but nevertheless seeks qualification to participate in the following presidential general election through the nomination of candidates for President and Vice President of the United States by nominating convention, or some means other than a primary election, to appear on the ballot at the presidential general election. For purposes of this chapter, participating in a presidential general election does not include using the general election ballot for the purpose of electing state party or county central committee officers.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2014.)

5151.

A party is qualified to participate in a presidential general election under any of the following conditions:

(a) The party qualified to participate and participated in the presidential primary election preceding the presidential general election pursuant to Section 5100.

(b) (1) At the last preceding gubernatorial primary election, the sum of the votes cast for all of the candidates for an office voted on throughout the state who disclosed a preference for that party on the ballot was at least 2 percent of the entire vote of the state for that office.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a party may inform the Secretary of State that it declines to have the votes cast for a candidate who has disclosed that party as his or her party preference on the ballot counted toward the 2-percent qualification threshold. If the party wishes to have votes for a candidate not counted in support of its qualification under paragraph (1), the party shall notify the secretary in writing of that candidate’s name by the seventh day before the gubernatorial primary election.

(c) (1) If on or before the 102nd day before a presidential general election, it appears to the Secretary of State, as a result of examining and totaling the statement of voters and their declared political preference transmitted to him or her by the county elections officials, that voters equal in number to at least 0.33 percent of the total number of voters registered on the 123rd day before the presidential general election have declared their preference for that party.

(2) A person whose party preference is designated as “Unknown” pursuant to Section 2154 or 2265 shall not be counted for purposes of determining the total number of voters registered on the specified day preceding the election under paragraph (1).

(d) On or before the 135th day before a presidential general election, there is filed with the Secretary of State a petition signed by voters, equal in number to at least 10 percent of the entire vote of the state at the last preceding gubernatorial election, declaring that they represent a proposed party, the name of which shall be stated in the petition, which proposed party those voters desire to have participate in that presidential general election. This petition shall be circulated, signed, and verified, and the signatures of the voters on it shall be certified to and transmitted to the Secretary of State by the county elections officials substantially as provided for initiative petitions. Each page of the petition shall bear a caption in 18-point boldface type, which caption shall be the name of the proposed party followed by the words “Petition to participate in the presidential general election.”

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 32, Sec. 57. Effective June 27, 2016.)

5152.

(a) Upon the occurrence of the gubernatorial election, each party shall have its qualifications reviewed by the Secretary of State. A party that does not meet the standards for qualification set forth in Section 5151 shall be prohibited from participating in the presidential general election. A party shall maintain its qualification to participate in any subsequent presidential general election by complying with any of the conditions specified in Section 5151.

(b) A party seeking qualification under provisions of this section and subdivision (c) or (d) of Section 5151 shall file formal notice with the Secretary of State that the party intends to regain qualification.

(c) Unless formal notice as required in subdivision (b) is timely received by the Secretary of State, he or she may have the name of the party omitted from any list, notice, ballot, or other publication containing the names of the parties qualified or seeking qualification that the Secretary of State may cause to be printed or published.

(d) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 8001, this section shall only be applicable to a party that has successfully obtained that status for the first time after having been a political body, and shall not apply to a political party that has been disqualified.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2014.)

5153.

Whenever the registration of any party that qualified in the previous general election falls below one-fifteenth of 1 percent of the total state registration, that party shall not be qualified to participate in a presidential general election but shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the voters. The Secretary of State shall immediately remove the name of the party from any list, notice, ballot, or other publication containing the names of the parties qualified to participate in a presidential general election.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2014.)

5154.

No party shall be recognized or qualified to participate in a presidential general election that either directly or indirectly carries on, advocates, teaches, justifies, aids, or abets the overthrow by any unlawful means of, or that directly or indirectly carries on, advocates, teaches, justifies, aids, or abets a program of sabotage, force and violence, sedition or treason against, the government of the United States or of this state.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2014.)

CHAPTER 3. Disqualification of Political Parties [5200- 5200.]

5200.

(a) Not less than 123 days before a primary or presidential general election, the Secretary of State shall, with the advice and consent of the Attorney General, determine which parties are disqualified to participate in any primary election under Section 5102 or a presidential general election under Section 5154. If it is proposed to disqualify a party that was qualified to participate in the next preceding direct primary, notice of intention to disqualify shall be served by registered mail on the chairperson of the state central committee of the party, as shown by the records of the Secretary of State. In any event, notice of intention to disqualify shall be given in each county of the state by publication pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. If there is no newspaper of general circulation printed and published in any county, publication shall be made in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in an adjoining county.

(b) If the party desires a hearing on the notice of intention to disqualify, it shall, within 10 days after service by mail or within 10 days after the last date upon which the notice was published in any county, whichever is later, file an affidavit in the Supreme Court pursuant to Section 13314 setting forth facts showing that the political party is not disqualified to participate in any primary election under Section 5102 or a presidential general election under Section 5154. If the party does not file the affidavit within the time specified, the notice of intention to disqualify shall constitute final disqualification. Before the affidavit is filed, a copy shall be personally served on the Secretary of State. When filed, the matter shall be set for return in not more than 10 days and shall have priority over any other pending cases.

(c) In connection with proceedings in the Supreme Court under this section, the Legislature hereby declares its intent to create a speedy and expeditious method for judicial determination of the vital questions involved, and urges the Supreme Court to accept jurisdiction in any such proceeding. The Legislature further urges that the court instruct any referee before whom the taking of evidence is ordered to report back to the court in sufficient time so that the court’s final order may be made effective on or before the 80th day before the primary or presidential general election.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 511, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2014.)

PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS [7000- 7000.]

7000.

All references to a voter’s or candidate’s party “registration” or “affiliation” in this division shall refer to the party preference or lack of party preference disclosed by the voter or candidate in accordance with Sections 2151 and 2152 and subdivision (b) of Section 2154.

(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 1, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 2010. Operative January 1, 2011, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 1.)

PART 4. WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATES: VACANCIES [8800 - 8811]

8800.

No candidate whose declaration of candidacy has been filed for any primary election may withdraw as a candidate at that primary election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

8801.

No candidate nominated at any primary election may withdraw as a candidate at the ensuing general election except those candidates permitted to withdraw by this part.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

8803.

(a) No vacancy on the ballot for a nonpartisan office at a general election shall be filled except if the candidate dies and that fact has been ascertained by the officer charged with the duty of printing the ballots at least 68 days before the date of the next ensuing general election.

(b) No vacancy on the ballot for a voter-nominated office at a general election shall be filled. If a candidate who is entitled to appear on the general election ballot dies, the name of that candidate shall appear on the general election ballot and any votes cast for that candidate shall be counted in determining the results of the election for that office. If the deceased candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for the office, he or she shall be considered elected to that office and the office shall be considered vacant at the beginning of the term for which the candidate was elected. The vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as if the candidate had died after taking office for that term.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 27. Effective February 10, 2012.)

8804.

Notwithstanding Sections 8803 and 8810, any candidate who has been nominated at any primary election for superior court judge in which election there were at least two other candidates and who, after the date prescribed for the filing of declaration of candidacy pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 8020) of Chapter 1 of Part 1, has been appointed to any federal or state office, may request the county elections official to have his or her name removed from the ballot of the next ensuing general election. If the request is received by the county elections official at least 68 days before the next ensuing general election, the county elections official shall remove the candidate’s name from the ballot.

If a candidate’s name is removed from the ballot pursuant to this section, the two remaining candidates who received the highest number of votes cast on all the ballots of all the voters participating in the primary election for nomination for that office of superior court judge shall be the candidates for that office at the ensuing general election, and their names as candidates for that office shall be placed on the official ballot at the ensuing election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

8805.

(a) Whenever a candidate for nomination for a nonpartisan office at a primary election dies on or before the day of the election, and a sufficient number of ballots are marked as being voted for him or her to entitle him or her to nomination if he or she had lived until after the election, a vacancy exists on the general election ballot, which shall be filled in the manner provided in Section 8807 for filling a vacancy caused by the death of a candidate.

(b) Whenever a candidate for nomination for a voter-nominated office at a primary election dies on or before the day of the election, and a sufficient number of ballots are marked as being voted for him or her to entitle him or her to nomination if he or she had lived until after the election, the name of the deceased candidate shall appear on the general election ballot and the general election shall proceed in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 8803.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 28. Effective February 10, 2012.)

8807.

If the vacancy occurs among candidates chosen at the direct primary to go on the ballot for the succeeding general election for a nonpartisan office, the name of that candidate receiving at the primary election the next highest number of votes shall appear on the ballot to fill the vacancy.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 29. Effective February 10, 2012.)

8808.

A vacancy authorized to be filled because of the death of a candidate shall be filled, and the name of the person named to fill the vacancy shall be certified to the officer charged with the duty of printing the ballots, 68 days before the day of election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

8809.

Whenever a candidate has declared a candidacy for a primary election, the candidate’s name shall be printed upon the ballot for the primary election, unless the candidate has died, and that fact has been ascertained by the officer charged with the duty of printing the ballots, at least 68 days before the day of the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

8810.

Whenever a candidate has been nominated at any primary election after having filed a declaration of candidacy, the name of the candidate shall be printed upon the ballot for the ensuing general election unless the candidate has died and that fact has been ascertained by the officer charged with the duty of printing the ballots, at least 68 days before the day of election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

8811.

Whenever, upon the death of any candidate, the vacancy created is filled by a party committee, a certificate to that effect shall be filed with the officer with whom a declaration of candidacy for that office may be filed, and, upon payment of the filing fee applicable to the office, shall be accepted and acted upon by that officer as in the case of an original declaration certificate.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 5. Bond Issues [9400 - 9405]

9400.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this chapter applies to all bond issues proposed by a county, city and county, city, district, or other political subdivision, or by any agency, department, or board thereof, the security for which constitutes a lien on the property for ad valorem taxes within the jurisdiction and the proposal for which is required to be submitted to the voters for approval.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 289, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2007.)

9401.

(a) In connection with each bond issue specified in Section 9400, a statement shall be mailed to the voters with the sample ballot for the bond election. The statement required by this section shall be filed with the elections official conducting the election not later than the 88th day before the election, and shall include all of the following:

(1) The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund that bond issue during the first fiscal year after the first sale of the bonds based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors.

(2) The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund that bond issue during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the bonds if the bonds are proposed to be sold in series, and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors.

(3) The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund that bond issue, and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors.

(4) The best estimate from official sources of the total debt service, including the principal and interest, that would be required to be repaid if all the bonds are issued and sold. The estimate may include information about the assumptions used to determine the estimate.

(b) In addition, the statement may contain a declaration of policy of the legislative or governing body of the applicable jurisdiction, proposing to use revenues other than ad valorem taxes to fund the bond issue, and the best estimate from official sources of these revenues and the reduction in the tax rate levied to fund the bond issue resulting from the substitution of revenue.

(c) The words “tax rate” as used in this chapter means tax rate per one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation on all property to be taxed to fund a bond issue described in Section 9400.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 908, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

9402.

All official materials, including any voter information guide prepared, sponsored, or distributed by the jurisdiction that has proposed the bond issue or that is financed in whole or part by funds furnished by that jurisdiction, directed at or including a bond issue proposal, but excluding a notice of election required by law to be posted or published, shall contain a statement of the tax rate data specified in Section 9401.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 54. Effective January 1, 2017.)

9403.

Failure to comply with this chapter shall not affect the validity of any bond issue following the sale and delivery of the bonds.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9404.

The Legislature declares that the essence of compliance with this chapter is good faith in presenting to voters the most accurate available information for their use in effecting comparisons and exercising judgment in casting their ballots.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9405.

Whenever the elections official is required to mail a statement, as provided in Section 9401, only one copy of the statement shall be mailed to a postal address where two or more registered voters have the same surname and the same postal address.

This section shall only apply if the legislative body adopts this section and the election official conducting the election approves of the procedure.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 6. School District Elections [9500 - 9509]

9500.

(a) Whenever a school measure qualifies for a place on the ballot, the county elections official shall transmit a copy of the measure to the county counsel or to the district attorney in a county that has no county counsel.

(b) The county counsel or district attorney shall prepare an impartial analysis of the measure, showing the effect of the measure on the existing law and the operation of the measure. The analysis shall include a statement indicating that the measure was placed on the ballot by the governing board of the district. The analysis shall be printed preceding the arguments for and against the measure. The analysis shall not exceed 500 words in length.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 265, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2014.)

9501.

(a) The governing board of the school district or a member or members of the governing board, or an individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or a combination of such voters and associations may file a written argument for or against any school measure. An argument shall not exceed 300 words in length. The elections official shall cause an argument for and an argument against the measure, if submitted, to be printed, and shall include the arguments, preceded by the analysis, in the county voter information guide.

(b) Printed arguments submitted to voters in accordance with this section shall be titled either “Argument in Favor of Measure __” or “Argument Against Measure __,” accordingly, the blank spaces being filled in only with the letter or number, if any, designating the measure. At the discretion of the elections official, the word “Proposition” may be substituted for the word “Measure” in the titles. Words used in the title shall not be counted when determining the length of any measure.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 55. Effective January 1, 2017.)

9501.5.

A ballot argument shall not be accepted under this article unless accompanied by the printed name and signature or printed names and signatures of the person or persons submitting it or, if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers.

No more than five signatures shall appear with any argument submitted under this article. If any argument is signed by more than five persons, the signatures of the first five shall be printed.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1081, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2001.)

9502.

Based on the time reasonably necessary to prepare and print the arguments, and to permit the 10-calendar-day public examination as provided in Section 9509, the person conducting the election shall fix and determine a reasonable date prior to the election after which no arguments for or against any school measure may be submitted to him or her for printing and distribution to the voters. Notice of the date fixed shall be published pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. Arguments may be changed until and including the date fixed by the person conducting the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9503.

If more than one argument for or more than one argument against any school measure is submitted to the person conducting the election within the time prescribed, the person conducting the election shall select one of the arguments in favor and one of the arguments against the measure for printing and distribution to the voters. In selecting the arguments, the person conducting the election shall give preference and priority, in the order named, to the arguments of the following:

(a) The governing board of the district or a member or members of the board.

(b) The individual voter, or bona fide associations of citizens, or combination of voters and associations, who are the bona fide sponsors or proponents of the measure.

(c) Bona fide associations of citizens.

(d) Individual voters who are eligible to vote on the measure.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 401, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2011.)

9504.

(a) When an argument in favor and an argument against a measure have been selected for publication in the voter information pamphlet the elections official responsible for conducting the election shall send copies of the argument in favor of the measure to the authors of the argument against the measure and copies of the arguments against the measure to the authors of the argument in favor. The authors may prepare and submit rebuttal arguments not exceeding 250 words, or may authorize in writing any other person or persons to prepare, submit, or sign the rebuttal argument. The rebuttal arguments shall be submitted to the elections official conducting the election no later than a date designated by the elections official.

(b) Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments. Each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument that it seeks to rebut and shall be titled “Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure (or Proposition) __,” or “Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure (or Proposition) __,” the blank spaces being filled in only with the letter or number, if any, designating the measure. Words used in the title may not be counted when determining the length of any rebuttal argument.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 228, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2003.)

9508.

Whenever a proposition relating to the approval of district bonds and a proposition, which is conditioned by the State Allocation Board on the approval of the bond issue, relating to the acceptance and expenditure of state school building aid funds, are to be submitted to the voters of a district on the same ballot, both propositions may be combined in such a manner that the proposed obligations of the district are clearly expressed, and the voter may cast one “Yes” or “No” vote upon the combined proposition.

The combined proposition shall, as nearly as practicable, be worded in accordance with the statutory requirements for the wording of each component proposition.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9509.

(a) The elections official shall make a copy of the materials referred to in Sections 9500, 9501, and 9504 available for public examination in his or her office for a period of 10 calendar days immediately following the filing deadline for submission of those documents. Any person may obtain a copy of the materials from the elections official for use outside of the elections official’s office. The elections official may charge a fee to any person obtaining a copy of the material. The fee may not exceed the actual cost incurred by the elections official in providing the copy.

(b) (1) During the 10-calendar-day public examination period provided by this section, any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, or the elections official, himself or herself, may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the materials to be amended or deleted. The writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than the end of the 10-calendar-day public examination period.

(2) A peremptory writ of mandate or an injunction shall be issued only upon clear and convincing proof that the material in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with this chapter, and that issuance of the writ or injunction will not substantially interfere with the printing or distribution of official election materials as provided by law.

(3) The elections official shall be named as respondent and the person or official who authored the material in question shall be named as real parties in interest. In the case of the elections official bringing the mandamus or injunctive action, the board of supervisors of the county shall be named as the respondent and the person or official who authored the material in question shall be named as the real party in interest.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 191, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2013.)

CHAPTER 7. General Provisions [9600 - 9610]

9600.

All arguments concerning measures filed pursuant to this division shall be accompanied by the following form statement, to be signed by each proponent and by each author, if different, of the argument:

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9601.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, whenever any ballot arguments for or against any measure submitted to the voters for approval are authorized, these arguments may be withdrawn by their proponents at any time prior to and including the final date fixed for filing arguments.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9602.

A voter who has signed an initiative or referendum petition, and who subsequently wishes his or her name withdrawn, may do so by filing a written request for the withdrawal with the appropriate elections official that includes the voter’s name, residence address, and signature. This request shall be filed in the elections official’s office prior to the date the petition is filed. A written request made under this section shall not constitute a petition or paper for purposes of Section 104.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 731, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2016.)

9603.

(a) Each city, county, school district, community college district, county board of education, and special district may hold, at its discretion, an advisory election on any date on which that jurisdiction is currently permitted to hold a regular or special election for the purpose of allowing voters within the jurisdiction, or a portion thereof, to voice their opinions on substantive issues, or to indicate to the local legislative body approval or disapproval of the ballot proposal.

(b) An advisory vote will be indicated as a ballot heading, above the ballot proposal, and by only the following description: “Advisory Vote Only.”

(c) As used in this section, “advisory vote” means an indication of general voter opinion regarding the ballot proposal. The results of the advisory vote will in no manner be controlling on the sponsoring legislative body.

(d) An advisory election may be held in territory outside of the jurisdiction of the local entity calling the advisory election if the ballot proposal affects the residents of the territory. The sponsoring legislative body shall determine the territory in which the advisory election shall be held. However, the conduct of an advisory election in territory outside of the jurisdiction of the local entity shall only be held if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) A regular election or special election is to be held in that territory.

(2) The advisory election can be consolidated with it.

(3) The board of supervisors of the county in which the outside territory is located approves the consolidation.

(e) An advisory election shall not be consolidated with an election if the ballot’s capacity will be exceeded because of the addition of the advisory election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9604.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, any person may engage in good faith bargaining between competing interests to secure legislative approval of matters embraced in a statewide or local initiative or referendum measure, and the proponents may, as a result of these negotiations, withdraw the measure at any time before filing the petition with the appropriate elections official.

(b) In addition to the procedure under subdivision (a), the proponents of a statewide initiative or referendum measure may withdraw the measure after filing the petition with the appropriate elections official at any time before the Secretary of State certifies that the measure has qualified for the ballot pursuant to Section 9033.

(c) Withdrawal of a statewide initiative or referendum measure shall be effective upon receipt by the Secretary of State of a written notice of withdrawal, signed by all proponents of the measure.

(d) Withdrawal of a local initiative or referendum measure shall be effective upon receipt by the appropriate local elections official of a written notice of withdrawal, signed by all proponents of the measure.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 697, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 2015.)

9605.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever a legislative body has ordered that a measure or proposal be submitted to the voters of any jurisdiction at a special election, the order of election shall not be amended or withdrawn after the 83rd day prior to the election.

The order of election shall be amended or withdrawn upon the filing of a resolution by the legislative body stating the specifics concerning the amendment or withdrawal. The resolution shall be filed with the election official not later than the 83rd day prior to the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9606.

A county elections official who is required, pursuant to this division, to examine signatures on an initiative, referendum, recall, nomination, or other election petition, may employ temporary assistants, as required, to complete the necessary procedure. The costs for the temporary assistants shall be paid by the jurisdiction in which the election on the proposition is intended to be held.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

9607.

The proponents of an initiative measure shall ensure that any person, company, or other organization that is paid, or who volunteers, to solicit signatures to qualify the proposed measure for the ballot shall receive instruction on the requirements and prohibitions imposed by state law with respect to circulation of the petition and signature gathering thereon, with an emphasis on the prohibition on the use of signatures on an initiative petition for a purpose other than qualification of the proposed measure for the ballot.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 726, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2006.)

9608.

(a) A proponent of an initiative measure shall execute and submit, along with the request for a title and summary for the proposed measure, a signed statement that reads as follows:

(b) The certification required by subdivision (a) shall be kept on file by the agency authorized to prepare the title and summary for the proposed initiative measure for not less than eight months after the certification of the results of the election for which the measure qualified, or if the measure, for any reason, is not submitted to the voters, eight months after the deadline for submission of the petition to the elections official.

(c) Failure to comply with this section shall not invalidate any signatures on a state or local initiative petition.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 726, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2006.)

9609.

(a) Prior to allowing a person to circulate an initiative petition for signatures, the person, company official, or other organizational officer who is in charge of signature gathering shall execute and submit to the proponents a signed statement that reads as follows:

(b) The certification required by subdivision (a) shall be kept on file by the proponents of the proposed initiative measure for not less than eight months after the certification of the results of the election for which the measure qualified, or if the measure, for any reason, is not submitted to the voters, eight months after the deadline for submission of the petition to the elections official.

(c) Failure to comply with this section shall not invalidate any signatures on a state or local initiative petition.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 726, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2006.)

9610.

(a) Prior to soliciting signatures on an initiative petition, a circulator shall execute and submit to the person, company official, or other organizational officer who is in charge of signature gathering a signed statement that reads as follows:

(b) The certification required by subdivision (a) shall be kept on file by the person, company official, or other organizational officer who is in charge of signature gathering for the proposed initiative measure for not less than eight months after the certification of the results of the election for which the measure qualified, or if the measure, for any reason, is not submitted to the voters, eight months after the deadline for submission of the petition to the elections official.

(c) This section shall not apply to unpaid circulators of state or local initiative petitions.

(d) Failure to comply with this section shall not invalidate any signatures on a state or local initiative petition.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 726, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2006.)

PART 3. CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTIONS [10400 - 10418]

10400.

Whenever two or more elections, including bond elections, of any legislative or congressional district, public district, city, county or other political subdivision are called to be held on the same day, in the same territory, or in territory that is in part the same, they may be consolidated pursuant to this chapter upon the order of the governing body or bodies or officer or officers calling the elections.

The elections, whether held under a freeholder charter or under any state law, or both, may be consolidated, and different elections called by the same governing body may be consolidated.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 199, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2008.)

10401.

Where one of the elections to be consolidated is a statewide election, the board of supervisors of the county in which the consolidation is to be effected may order the consolidation.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10402.

When local elections are to be consolidated, and no specific procedure is specified for their consolidation, the procedure set forth in Section 10403 shall govern the consolidation, except that the governing body of the jurisdiction that receives a request for the consolidation, or an officer otherwise authorized by law, may order the consolidation.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10402.5.

Any state, county, municipal, district, and school district election held on a statewide election date pursuant to Section 1002 shall be consolidated with the statewide election pursuant to this part except that, in counties of the first class, the board of supervisors may deny any request for consolidation if it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. The procedural requirements prescribed for that type of election shall be construed as if this section were specifically set forth in the provisions relating to that election.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 47. Effective September 30, 1996.)

10403.

(a) Whenever an election called by a district, city, or other political subdivision for the submission of a question, proposition, or office to be filled is to be consolidated with a statewide election, and the question, proposition, or office to be filled is to appear upon the same ballot as that provided for the statewide election, the district, city, or other political subdivision shall, at least 88 days prior to the date of the election, file with the board of supervisors, and a copy with the elections official, a resolution of its governing board that does all of the following:

(1) Requests that the district, city, or other political subdivision election be consolidated with the statewide election.

(2) Sets forth the exact form of the question, proposition, or office to be voted upon at the election, as it is to appear on the ballot. The question or proposition to appear on the ballot shall conform to this code governing the wording of propositions submitted to the voters at a statewide election.

(3) Acknowledges that the consolidated election will be held and conducted in the manner prescribed in Section 10418.

(b) The resolution requesting the consolidation shall be adopted and filed at the same time as the adoption of the ordinance, resolution, or order calling the election.

(c) The names of the candidates to appear upon the ballot where district, city, or other political subdivision offices are to be filled shall be filed with the county elections official no later than 81 days prior to the election.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 98, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

10403.5.

(a) (1) Any city ordinance requiring its general municipal election to be held on a day specified in subdivision (b) of Section 1301 shall be approved by the board of supervisors unless the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capability is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors shall each obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action.

(2) A city, by itself or in concert with other cities, may purchase or otherwise contribute to the purchase of elections equipment, including, but not limited to, a computer for the purposes of conducting a consolidated election when the equipment shall be owned by the county.

(b) As a result of the adoption of an ordinance pursuant to this section, no term of office shall be increased or decreased by more than 12 months. As used in this subdivision, “12 months” means the period between the day upon which the term of office would otherwise have commenced and the first Tuesday after the second Monday in the 12th month before or after that day, inclusive.

(c) If an election is held on a day specified in subdivision (b) of Section 1301, and the election is consolidated with another election this part, except Section 10403, shall govern the consolidation and, if the county elections official is requested to conduct the municipal election, Section 10002 shall be applicable to that election.

(d) If a general municipal election is held on the same day as a statewide election, those city officers whose terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the ordinance, expired no later than the next regularly scheduled city council meeting after receipt of the certification of the results from the elections official shall, instead, continue in their offices until not later than that meeting.

(e) Within 30 days after the ordinance becomes operative, the city elections official shall cause a notice to be mailed to all registered voters informing the voters of the change in the election date. The notice shall also inform the voters that as a result in the change in the election date, the terms of office of the elected city officeholders will be changed.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 785, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2005.)

10404.

(a) This section applies only to special districts electing members of the governing body in odd-numbered years. As used in this section, “special district” means an agency of the state formed pursuant to general law or special act, for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries, except a city, county, city and county, school or community college district, or special assessment district.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a governing body of a special district may, by resolution, require that its elections of governing body members be held on the same day as the statewide general election.

(1) The resolution setting the election shall also include dates that are consistent with the primary or general election with respect to nominations, notices, canvass of votes, certification of election, and all other procedural requirements of this code pertaining to the primary or general election.

(2) The resolution shall be submitted to the board of supervisors no later than 240 days prior to the date of the currently scheduled district election.

(c) The board of supervisors shall notify all districts located in the county of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of consolidation.

(d) The elections official shall prepare and transmit to the board of supervisors an impact analysis of the proposed consolidation.

(e) The board of supervisors, within 60 days from the date of submission, shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to the adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors shall each obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action.

(f) Within 30 days after the approval of the resolution, the elections official shall notify all registered voters of the districts affected by the consolidation of the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors. The notice shall be delivered by mail and at the expense of the district.

(g) Public notices of the proceedings in which the resolution is to be considered for adoption shall be made pursuant to Section 25151 of the Government Code.

(h) If a special district is located in more than one county, the special district may not consolidate an election if any county in which the special district is located denies the request for consolidation.

(i) If, pursuant to subdivision (b), a special district election is held on the same day as the statewide general election, those governing body members whose terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the resolution, expired prior to that election shall, instead, continue in their offices until their successors are elected and qualified, but in no event shall the term be extended beyond December 31 of the year following the year in which the request for consolidation is approved by the board of supervisors.

(j) If a board of supervisors approves the resolution pursuant to subdivision (e), the special district election shall be conducted on the date specified by the board of supervisors, in accordance with subdivision (a), unless the approval is later rescinded by the board of supervisors.

(k) If the date of a special district election is changed pursuant to this section, at least one election shall be held before the resolution, as approved by the board of supervisors, may be subsequently repealed or amended.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 731, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2016.)

10404.5.

(a) A resolution of the governing board of a school district or county board of education to establish an election day pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302 shall be adopted and submitted to the board of supervisors not later than 240 days prior to the date of the currently scheduled election of the district or for the members of the county board of education.

(b) The final date for the submission of the resolution by the governing board of a school district or county board of education to the board of supervisors is not subject to waiver.

(c) The board of supervisors shall notify all school districts and the county board of education located in the county of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of consolidation.

(d) (1) The board of supervisors, within 60 days from the date of submission, shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to the adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors may obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action.

(2) Public notices of the proceedings in which the resolution is to be considered for adoption shall be made pursuant to Section 25151 of the Government Code.

(e) Within 30 days after the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors, the elections official shall notify all registered voters of the districts affected by the consolidation of the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors. The notice shall be delivered by mail and at the expense of the school district or if applicable, the county board of education.

(f) An election day established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302 shall be prescribed to occur not less than one month, nor more than 12 months, subsequent to the election day prescribed in Section 5000 of the Education Code or pursuant to Section 1007 of the Education Code, as appropriate. As used in this subdivision, “12 months” means the period from the election day prescribed in Section 5000 of the Education Code or pursuant to Section 1007 of the Education Code, as appropriate, to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in the 12th month subsequent to that day, inclusive.

(g) In the event that the election day for a school district governing board or county board of education is established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302, the term of office of all then incumbent members of that governing board or county board of education shall be extended accordingly.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 227, Sec. 16. Effective August 16, 2004.)

10404.7.

A school district in Tehama County or the Tehama County Board of Education, by itself or in concert with other school districts or county boards of education, may purchase or otherwise contribute to the purchase of elections equipment, including, but not limited to, a computer for the purposes of conducting a consolidated election when the equipment shall be owned by Tehama County.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 50. Effective September 30, 1996.)

10405.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Registrar-Recorder of the County of Los Angeles and the Registrar of Voters of Orange County may, pursuant to agreement between those counties, perform, either on behalf of the other, any and all duties relating to the conducting of the election, the counting of votes, and any other election procedures to the extent that those duties are for the conduct of an election of governing board members for any school district whose territory lies within both the County of Los Angeles and Orange County, pursuant to the consolidation of that election with a primary, municipal, or general election under Sections 1302 and 10404.5.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 810, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2004.)

10405.7.

(a) The resolution of the community college district governing board to establish an election day pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302 shall be adopted and submitted to the board of supervisors not later than 240 days prior to the date of the currently scheduled election for the governing board members of the community college district.

(b) The final date for the submission of the resolution by the community college district governing board to the board of supervisors is not subject to waiver.

(c) The board of supervisors shall notify all community college districts located in the county of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of consolidation.

(d) (1) The board of supervisors, within 60 days from the date of submission, shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to the adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors may each obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action.

(2) Public notices of the proceedings in which the resolution is to be considered for adoption shall be made pursuant to Section 25151 of the Government Code.

(e) Within 30 days after the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors, the elections official shall notify all registered voters of the districts affected by the consolidation of the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors. The notice shall be delivered by mail and at the expense of the community college district.

(f) An election day established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302 shall be prescribed to occur not less than one month, nor more than 12 months, subsequent to the election day prescribed in Section 5000 of the Education Code. As used in this subdivision, “12 months” means the period from the election day prescribed in Section 5000 of the Education Code to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in the 12th month subsequent to that day, inclusive.

(g) If, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302, a district governing board member election is held on the same day as a statewide general election, those district governing board members whose four-year terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the resolution, expired prior to that election shall, instead, continue in their offices until successors are elected and qualified.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 118, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2012.)

10405.8.

In a community college district that includes the trustee areas authorized to be established pursuant to the third paragraph of Section 72023 of the Education Code, the consolidation of the election of trustees on the same date as the statewide general election pursuant to Section 10405.7 may be approved by any county or counties for the trustee areas located entirely within that county or counties. The approval of any county or counties in which the other trustee areas are located shall not be required. Elections resulting from changes in election dates pursuant to this section shall be deemed to meet the requirement of staggered terms set forth in Section 72023 of the Education Code.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 52. Effective September 30, 1996.)

10406.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a statewide special election is called less than 88 days prior to the date of that election, a district, city, or other political subdivision may call for a special local election for the submission of any question, proposition, or office to be filled, to be consolidated with the statewide special election if the call is issued within four days from the date of issuance of the Governor’s proclamation or the effective date of a statute calling for a statewide special election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10407.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever other elections are consolidated with a regularly scheduled election, the period for the filing of nomination documents by candidates in elections consolidated with the regularly scheduled election shall commence on the 113th day prior to the election. The nomination documents shall be filed not later than the close of business on the 88th day prior to the regularly scheduled election in the office of the appropriate officer, during regular office hours.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if nomination documents for an incumbent officer of a political subdivision are not filed by the close of business on the 88th day before the election, any person other than the person who was the incumbent on the 88th day shall have until the close of business on the 83rd day before the election to file nomination documents for the elective office. This section is not applicable where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 248, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2012.)

10408.

When the county precinct boundaries at a consolidated election called by the board of supervisors of the county in which the city, district or other political subdivision is located do not coincide with the boundaries of the city, district or other political subdivision, the board of supervisors may by order, and for the purpose of the election only, reprecinct the territory in which the boundaries do not coincide, at any time prior to 30 days before the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10409.

When the boundaries of the territory within which an election is to be held, or the boundaries of the precincts established therefor, do not fully coincide with the boundaries of the territory within which some other election is to be held, or the boundaries of the precincts established for the other election, the elections may be consolidated as to all precincts which are the same for both elections. The elections may also be consolidated as to those precincts where a single precinct established for one election lies entirely within a single precinct established for the other election. Separate ballots shall be provided for those voters who reside outside the territory within which one of the elections is called.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10410.

Within the territory affected by the order of consolidation, the election precincts, polling places and voting booths shall, in every case, be the same, and there shall be only one set of election officers in each of the precincts. When the returns of elections consolidated pursuant to this part are required to be canvassed by different canvassing boards, the elections shall be conducted separately in the same manner as if they had not been consolidated, except as provided in this part.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10411.

In case of the consolidation of any election called by the legislative body of a city, district, or other political subdivision with an election held in the county or counties in which the city, district, or other political subdivision is situated, the governing body of the city, district, or other political subdivision may authorize the board of supervisors to canvass the returns of the election. If this authority is given:

(a) The election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election.

(b) Only one form of ballot shall be used.

(c) The returns of the election need not be canvassed by the legislative body of the authorizing city, district or other political subdivision.

If the authority is given to the board of supervisors, the canvass shall be made in accordance with Article 1 (commencing with Section 15300) of Chapter 4 of Division 15.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 811, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 2004.)

10412.

In the case of the consolidation of any election called by the governing body of a city, district or other political subdivision with an election held in another city, district or other political subdivision, the governing body of one city, district or political subdivision may authorize the governing body of the other city, district or political subdivision to canvass the returns of the election. If this authority is given:

(a) The elections shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election.

(b) Only one form of ballot shall be used.

(c) The returns of the election need not be canvassed by the governing body of the authorizing city, district, or other political subdivision.

If that authority is given, the canvass may be made by any body or official authorized by law to canvass the returns of the election of such other city, district or political subdivision.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10413.

When the returns of any elections consolidated pursuant to this part are required to be canvassed by the same body, the elections shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election, and only one form of ballot shall be used.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10416.

Except as otherwise provided in this part, when elections are consolidated, the governing body ordering consolidation may, in the territory affected thereby, provide for:

(a) The appointment of precinct boards.

(b) The formation of precincts for such elections.

(c) The expenses of the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10417.

Where under any law of the state the precincts, polling places or names of members of precinct boards are required to be described or otherwise set forth in the ordinance, resolution, order, notice or other document calling, giving notice of or otherwise pertaining to any election, and the election is consolidated, in whole or in part, with another election, the ordinance, resolution, order, notice or other document need not describe or set forth the precincts, polling places and the names of precinct board members pertaining to the territory affected by the consolidation but may instead state that these precincts, polling places, and precinct board members shall be the same as those provided for the other election within the territory affected by the consolidation, and in that event, the ordinance, resolution, order, notice, or other document shall refer to some ordinance, order, resolution, or notice calling, providing for or giving notice of the other election and which sets forth these precincts, polling places, and the names of precinct board members. This reference may be made by giving the number and title or date of adoption of the ordinance, resolution, or order, or the date or proposed date of any publication of the notice and the name of the newspaper in which the notice has been or will be published, or by any other definite description. Notwithstanding the provision of any other provision of law, this reference need not be made in the case of an election consolidated with a statewide election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10418.

(a) Whenever an election is to be held on the same day as a statewide election, a special election, or an election held pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303, the election may be consolidated with the statewide or special election, or the election held pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303, as applicable. If consolidated, the consolidated election shall be held and conducted, election boards appointed, voting precincts designated, candidates nominated, ballots printed, polls opened and closed, voter challenges determined, ballots counted and returned, returns canvassed, results declared, certificates of election issued, recounts conducted, election contests presented, and all other proceedings incidental to and connected with the election shall be regulated and done in accordance with the provisions of law regulating the statewide or special election, or the election held pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303, as applicable.

(b) The precincts used at the consolidated election shall be those used for the statewide, special, or regularly scheduled election and, where necessary, the county elections official may adjust precinct lines to coincide with the boundaries of the particular jurisdiction.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 98, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2014.)

PART 4. UNIFORM DISTRICT ELECTION LAW [10500 - 10556]

10500.

(a) This part may be cited as the Uniform District Election Law.

(b) As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Affected county” means a county in which any land of the district or agency is situated.

(2) “Director” means a member of the governing body.

(3) “District” or “agency” means any district or agency of the type designated by and formed pursuant to the provisions of any principal act that incorporates this part.

(4) “Elective office” means any office that may, under the principal act of the district or agency, be filled by way of an election.

(5) “Elective officer” means “elective officer” as defined by the principal act of each district or agency or if not defined, any officer of a district or agency holding an office that can be filled by election.

(6) “General district election” means an election held pursuant to the provisions of this part.

(7) “Governing body” means the board of directors of a district or agency or the board or body which governs the activities of the district or agency.

(8) “Landowner voting district” means a district whose principal act requires an elector to be an owner of land located within the district.

(9) “Principal act” means the law providing for the creation of a particular district or agency or type of district or agency.

(10) “Principal county” means the county in which all the land in the district or agency is situated, or if the district or agency is situated in more than one county, the county in which the greatest portion of the land in the district or agency is situated.

(11) “Resident voting district” means any district other than a landowner voting district.

(12) “Secretary” means the secretary of the governing body or a person designated by him or her to perform a duty of the secretary.

(13) “Supervising authority” means the board of supervisors of the county in which is situated all or most of the land of a district.

(14) “Voter” means a voter or elector as respectively defined in the principal act of each district or agency.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 221, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2003.)

10501.

It is the purpose of this part to provide a procedure for the election of elective officers of districts. These elections shall be called and conducted and the results canvassed, returned, and declared pursuant to this part.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10502.

(a) This part shall apply to all districts and agencies whose principal acts so provide. However, the provisions of this part requiring the county elections official to conduct elections shall apply to all resident voting districts and agencies, and, at the discretion of the county elections official, may apply to landowner voting districts, notwithstanding any other provision of law.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the county elections official shall conduct an election on behalf of a landowner voting district if the governing body of the district, by resolution, requests that assistance and agrees to reimburse the county pursuant to Section 10520 and any county ordinances or resolutions consistent therewith. A district making that request shall supply information regarding qualified voters pursuant to Section 10525, and any other pertinent information requested by the county elections official. The election may be conducted by all-mailed ballots at the discretion of the county elections official. The election may not be held on the same date as a regularly scheduled election. The county elections official may rely upon the list of qualified voters and other information supplied by the district and shall not be required to determine the qualified voters. If the district does not supply the required information regarding qualified voters and other pertinent information requested by the county elections official within the time specified in Section 10525, the county elections official shall have no further obligation with respect to the election, and the district shall be responsible for conducting all remaining election activities.

(c) Where this part conflicts with the principal act, this part shall apply and control.

(d) This part shall not apply to the election of elective officers of the district upon formation of the district, except as to the term of office of the officers.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10503.

Where this part provides that the principal act shall govern, and the principal act contains no provisions on the matter, the general election laws of this state shall govern. Where neither this part nor the principal act apply, the general election laws of this state shall govern.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10504.

Whenever this part requires the secretary of a district to deliver a notice or other information to the county elections official on or before a designated date, the secretary may personally deliver the notice or other information on or before that date, or may deliver the notice or other information by certified mail if the notice or other information will be received by the county elections official in the ordinary course of the mails on or before that designated date.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10505.

The terms of office of elective officers in all new districts shall be determined as follows:

(a) If the district is formed in an odd-numbered year, the officers elected at the formation election shall hold office until noon on the first Friday in December of the next following odd-numbered year, provided officers elected at an election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November shall hold office as provided in subdivision (c).

(b) If the district is formed in an even-numbered year, the officers elected at the formation election shall hold office until noon on the first Friday in December of the second next following odd-numbered year.

(c) The directors elected at the first general district election held in a district and at a formation election held at the same time as the general district election shall meet as soon as practicable after taking office and classify themselves by lot into two classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, and the terms of office of the class having the greater number shall be four years and the terms of office of the class having the lesser number shall be two years. All other elective officers elected at the election shall hold office for a term of four years or until their successor is elected and qualifies.

(d) Pursuant to Section 10404, a special district electing members of the governing body in odd-numbered years may, by resolution, require that its elections of governing body members be held on the same day as the statewide general election.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 731, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2016.)

10506.

Whenever a district shall increase the number of divisions, if there are any, the terms of office of the offices of director thus created shall be determined by the governing body, but in no event shall the term designated by the governing body be for more than four years. The terms of office thus created shall be determined in such a manner as to keep as nearly equal as practicable the number of directors to be elected at each subsequent general district election. Upon the expiration of the term so designated by the governing body, the directorship shall be filled at the next general district election and general district elections held thereafter. The term of office of each subsequent director thus elected is four years or until his or her successor qualifies and takes office.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10507.

Except as otherwise provided in this part, the term of office of each elective officer, elected or appointed pursuant to this part, is four years or until his or her successor qualifies and takes office.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10508.

The principal act shall govern whether directors of a district are elected by divisions or by the district at large. A governing body may require that the directors of the governing body be elected using district-based elections pursuant to Section 10650.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 754, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2017.)

10509.

On the 125th day prior to the day fixed for the general district election, the secretary shall deliver a notice to the county elections official. The notice shall bear the secretary’s signature and the district seal and shall also contain both of the following:

(a) The elective offices of the district to be filled at the next general district election, specifying which offices, if any, are for the balance of an unexpired term.

(b) Whether the district or the candidate is to pay for the publication of a statement of qualifications pursuant to Section 13307.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 454, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)

10510.

(a) Forms for declarations of candidacy for all district offices shall be obtained from the office of the county elections official. The county elections official may, for convenience or necessity, authorize the district secretary to issue declarations of candidacy. The forms shall first be available on the 113th day prior to the general district election and shall be filed not later than 5 p.m. on the 88th day prior to the general district election in the office of the county elections official during regular office hours or may be filed by certified mail so that the forms reach the office of the county election official no later than the deadline for filing in that office. The county elections official shall record the date of filing upon the first page of each declaration of candidacy filed pursuant to this section. No candidate shall withdraw his or her declaration of candidacy after 5 p.m. on the 88th day prior to the general district election.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person shall not file nomination papers for more than one district office or term of office for the same district at the same election.

(c) On request of the district secretary, the county elections official shall provide the secretary with a copy of each declaration of candidacy filed pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 86, Sec. 4. Effective July 19, 2005.)

10511.

The declaration of candidacy shall be in substantially the following form:

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 296, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)

10512.

Each candidate shall set forth in full the oath or affirmation set forth in Section 3 of Article XX of the California Constitution, which shall be filed with the declaration of candidacy. The county elections official or district secretary, or a person designated by the county elections official or district secretary, shall administer the oath.

(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 199, Sec. 39. Effective January 1, 1999.)

10513.

Upon filing each declaration of candidacy, the county elections official shall examine the declaration to determine if it conforms with the provisions of this part and shall certify whether it is sufficient. For this purpose, the elections official shall be entitled to obtain from any officer of an affected county all information necessary to make this determination.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10514.

The qualifications of a candidate for elective office, and of an elective officer, of a district shall be determined by the principal act of that district.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10515.

(a) If, by 5 p.m. on the 83rd day prior to the day fixed for the general district election: (1) only one person has filed a declaration of candidacy for any elective office to be filled at that election, (2) no one has filed a declaration of candidacy for such an office, (3) in the case of directors to be elected from the district at large, the number of persons who have filed a declaration of candidacy for director at large does not exceed the number of offices of director at large to be filled at that election, or (4) in the case of directors who must reside in a division but be elected at large, the number of candidates for director at large from a division does not exceed the number required to be elected director at large while residing in that division; and if a petition signed by 10 percent of the voters or 50 voters, whichever is the smaller number, in the district or division if elected by division, requesting that the general district election be held has not been presented to the officer conducting the election, he or she shall submit a certificate of these facts to the supervising authority and request that the supervising authority, at a regular or special meeting held prior to the Monday before the first Friday in December in which the election is held, appoint to the office or offices the person or persons, if any, who have filed declarations of candidacy. The supervising authority shall make these appointments.

(b) If no person has filed a declaration of candidacy for any office, the supervising authority shall appoint any person to the office who is qualified on the date when the election would have been held. The person appointed shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election for the office.

(c) Where a director must be appointed to represent a division, all or most of which is not within the county governed by the supervising authority, then the board of supervisors of the county within which all or most of that division is located shall be the body to which request for appointment is made and which shall make the appointment.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10516.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any district or agency election, if a declaration of candidacy for an incumbent elective officer of a district is not filed by 5 p.m. on the 88th day before the general district election, any person other than the person who was the incumbent on the 88th day shall have until 5 p.m. on the 83rd day before the election to file a declaration of candidacy for the elective office.

(b) This section is not applicable where there is no incumbent to be elected. If this section is applicable, notwithstanding Section 10510, a candidate may withdraw his or her declaration of candidacy until 5 p.m. on the 83rd day before the general election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10517.

Except as otherwise provided by this part, the county elections official of each affected county shall conduct the general district election for the portion of the district located within the county. Where a district is located in two or more counties, the county elections officials of these counties may contract among themselves to have one of their number conduct the election for the district.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10518.

If, within any portion of a county, only one district has scheduled a general district election, the county elections official may authorize the appropriate officer of the district to perform any of the functions required of the county elections official under this part.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10519.

At the request of a district governing body, the county elections official may perform any of the duties of the district secretary and the supervising authority may perform any of the duties of the district governing body.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10520.

Each district involved in a general district election in an affected county shall reimburse the county for the actual costs incurred by the county elections official thereof in conducting the general district election for that district. The county elections official of the affected county shall determine the amount due from each district and shall bill each district accordingly.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10521.

Qualifications of voters of a district, the number of votes each voter may cast, and the method of determining that number of votes shall be governed by the principal act of that district.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10522.

At least 125 days prior to the day fixed for the general district election, the secretary of a resident voting district shall deliver to the county elections official of each affected county a map showing the boundaries of the district and the boundaries of the divisions of the district, if any, within that county and a statement indicating in which divisions a director is to be elected and whether any elective officer is to be elected at large at the next general district election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10523.

Notwithstanding any provision in the principal act, elections shall be at large in any resident voter district in which there are fewer than 100 voters.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10524.

At least 125 days prior to the date fixed by the general district election, the secretary of a landowner voting district shall deliver to the county elections official of each affected county a map or description of the boundaries of the district or divisions for which elections are to be held.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10525.

(a) At least 35 days prior to the date fixed for the landowner district election, the secretary of a landowner district for which an election has not been canceled pursuant to Section 10515, shall deliver to the county elections official of each affected county a list of voters qualified under the principal act of that district to vote in that county at the next landowner district election. For this purpose, the secretary of a landowner voting district shall be entitled to obtain from any office of an affected county all information necessary to prepare the list.

(b) The list delivered pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain the name of each voter qualified under the principal act of the landowner voting district to vote at the next landowner district election, the residence of each voter, the division, if any, of the district in which each voter is entitled to vote, and the manner in which the votes are to be distributed.

(c) The secretary of the landowner district shall sign his or her name and affix the seal of the district at the bottom of the last page of the list. One copy of this list shall be conspicuously posted in the office of the district in a place to which the public generally has access. If the office is located in a private home, the list shall be posted in some public building.

(d) The governing board may, by resolution, determine that the duties of the secretary set forth in this section would best be performed by the county elections official, in which case the county elections official shall thereafter assume these duties.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10526.

At least 30 days prior to the day fixed for the next general district election, the county elections official shall have prepared a sufficient number of ballots for the voters of each resident voter district participating in the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10527.

At least 20 days prior to the date fixed for the next general district election, the county elections official shall have prepared a sufficient number of ballots for the voters of each landowner voting district participating in the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10528.

Except as otherwise provided by this part, the form of the ballot to be used by the voters of a landowner voting district participating in the general district election shall be governed by the principal act of that district. The county elections official shall determine and specify the form of the ballot to be used by the voters of resident voting districts and may, if practicable, provide a consolidated ballot covering two or more district elections in the same precinct.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10529.

Whenever a candidate has filed a declaration of candidacy, and the candidate’s declaration of candidacy has been certified as sufficient pursuant to Section 10513, the name of the candidate shall be printed upon the ballot unless the candidate has died and that fact has been ascertained by the officer charged with the duty of printing the ballots, at least 68 days before the day of the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10530.

Vote by mail voting shall be allowed and conducted as nearly as practicable in accordance with Division 3 (commencing with Section 3000) pertaining to general elections, except in those districts in which voting by proxy is allowed unless a particular district shall, by resolution pursuant to Section 4108, provide for an all-mail ballot election.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 68. Effective January 1, 2008.)

10531.

Notwithstanding any law, vote by mail voting shall be allowed in lieu of voting by proxy in an landowner district election in which voting by proxy is allowed if, at least 110 days before the election, the governing board of the district adopts this section. If a district adopts this section, the voting shall be conducted as follows:

(a) The vote by mail ballot shall be available to any eligible voter of the district.

(b) The form of application for the ballot shall be distributed to each voter with the voter information guide and shall contain spaces for each of the following:

(1) The printed name and address of the voter.

(2) The address to which the ballot is to be mailed.

(3) The voter’s signature.

(4) The authorization of a legal representative, as defined in Section 34030 of the Water Code, to receive the vote by mail voter’s ballot if the voter so chooses.

(5) The name and date of the election for which the request is made.

(6) The date the application shall be received by the county elections official, which date shall be at least seven days before the election.

(7) The insertion of the voter information guide name and address label on the application.

(c) Upon receipt of vote by mail ballot application and verification that it has been properly completed, the county elections official shall mail vote by mail voter’s ballot to the voter or legal representative with an identification envelope, which shall contain each of the following:

(1) A declaration under penalty of perjury stating that the voter is entitled to vote in the election.

(2) Space for the signature of the voter or legal representative and the date of signing.

(3) A notice that the envelope contains an official ballot and is to be opened only by the appropriate elections officials.

(d) The voting shall be pursuant to those additional procedures, if any, that the county elections official shall deem necessary to the proper conduct of the election, provided that the overall additional procedures shall substantially comply with Division 3 (commencing with Section 3000) and Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 15000) of Division 15, and shall be consistent with landowner voting requirements.

(e) Notwithstanding Section 10525, the list of voters for landowner voting district elections in which vote by mail voting is allowed shall be delivered to the county elections official at least 40 days before the election.

(f) The voter information guide for landowner voting district elections in which vote by mail voting is allowed shall be mailed at least 20 days before the election.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 56. Effective January 1, 2017.)

10532.

Nothing in this part shall prohibit a voter of a district, or his legal representative, from voting by proxy if this right is provided for by the principal act of that district, and the requirements and qualifications necessary for voting by proxy shall be governed, as nearly as practicable, by the principal act of that district.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10533.

(a) The county elections official shall prepare for each precinct one voter list and one roster for each ballot form to be used at the polling place of the precinct at the general district election. Where, as provided by Section 10528, the county elections official provides for a consolidated ballot covering two or more district elections in the same precinct, the county elections official may also provide a consolidated voter list and consolidated roster for the voters receiving the consolidated ballot. The county elections official shall furnish each precinct board with its respective lists and rosters prior to the opening of the polls.

(b) For a landowner voting district election, the voter list shall specify the number of votes each voter is entitled to cast.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10534.

If the county elections official fails to appoint a precinct board or the members appointed are not present when the polls open on the day of the general district election, a majority of the voters of the precinct present at that hour, including members of the precinct board, may appoint the precinct board or appoint a person in place of an absent member.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10535.

The inspector is chairman of the precinct board.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10536.

If during the election any judge or elections official ceases to act, the inspector may appoint a substitute.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10537.

If the inspector ceases to act, a majority of the remaining members of the precinct board may appoint a substitute.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10538.

Any member of a precinct board may administer and certify oaths required to be administered during an election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10539.

Before opening the polls, each member of the precinct board shall sign a declaration to perform faithfully his or her duties, before the inspector or before any other member of the board.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10540.

Candidates’ statements of their qualifications submitted in accordance with Section 13307 shall be filed with the county elections official, who shall cause the voters’ pamphlet, if any is required, to be mailed.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 221, Sec. 20. Effective January 1, 2003.)

10541.

The polls shall open at 7 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m. In any precinct in which all of the eligible voters have voted prior to the time for closing the polls, the precinct board may thereupon close the polls, canvass the votes and make the returns as required by law. However, regardless of the time of closing the polls, no totals of votes cast or other returns shall be announced or disclosed prior to 8 p.m.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10542.

The principal act of each landowner voting district participating in the general district election shall govern the manner in which the ballot is delivered by the clerk or judge to a voter of that district, the method by which the voter casts his vote or votes, and the manner in which the ballot is returned by the voter to the clerk or judge and placed in the ballot box.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10543.

Voting shall be conducted, the canvass at the polls made, and the returns delivered to the county elections official, except as otherwise provided by this part, as nearly as practicable in accordance with the provisions of this code pertaining to general elections.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10544.

A governing body of a district may, by resolution, limit campaign contributions in elections to district offices.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10545.

The envelope, certificate with the roster of voters, tally lists, voter list, and the marked copy of index of voters, if it is used, shall be:

(a) Sealed in an envelope by the inspector in the presence of the judge and clerk.

(b) Endorsed “Election returns of (naming the precinct) precinct.”

(c) Directed to the county elections official.

(d) Immediately delivered by the inspector or by a responsible person designated by him, to the county elections official.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10546.

Recount of votes in any general district election shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 15600) of Division 15.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10547.

The county elections official shall commence the canvass of the returns not later than the first Thursday after each general district election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10548.

The canvass shall be made in public and by opening the returns and determining the vote for each person voted for and declaring the results thereof.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10549.

No roster, tally list, or certificate returned from any general district election shall be set aside or rejected for want of form if it can be satisfactorily understood.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10550.

As soon as the result of the canvass by the county elections official is declared, the county elections official shall prepare and mail a statement of the result to the secretary of each district participating in the general district election. The statement shall be signed by the county elections official, authenticated by the seal of the county and shall show:

(a) The number of ballots cast for elective offices of that district and, when directors of that district are elected by divisions, the number of ballots cast in each division.

(b) The name of each candidate for an elective office of that district voted for and the office.

(c) The number of votes cast in each precinct for each candidate.

(d) When directors are elected by divisions, the number of votes cast in each division for each candidate for the office of director from that division.

(e) The number of votes cast in the district for all other elective offices of that district.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10551.

(a) No later than the Monday before the first Friday in December the county elections official shall declare the elected candidate or candidates. If there is but one person to be elected to an elective office, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast for the candidates for that office shall be declared elected. If there are two or more persons to be elected to an elective office, those candidates equal in number to the number to be elected who receive the highest number of votes for the office shall be declared elected.

(b) If a tie vote makes it impossible to determine which of two or more candidates has been elected, the county elections official shall notify the governing body of the district thereof, and the governing body shall forthwith notify the candidates who have received the tie votes to appear before it either personally or by representative at a time and place designated by the governing body. The governing body shall, at that time and place, determine the tie by lot and the results thereof shall be declared by the governing body. The candidate so chosen shall qualify, take office and serve as though elected at the preceding general district election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10553.

The county elections official shall immediately make and deliver to each person elected a certificate of election signed by the county elections official.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10554.

Elective officers, elected or appointed pursuant to this part, take office at noon on the first Friday in December next following the general district election. Prior to taking office, each elective officer shall take the official oath and execute any bond required by the principal act.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10555.

Notwithstanding Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 1, no landowner voting district election shall be consolidated with any resident voter election regardless of whether it is held pursuant to this part. Except as specified in the preceding sentence, an election conducted by a district subject to this part may be consolidated with any other election pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 10400).

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10556.

No informalities in the conduct of the general district election or any matters related to it shall invalidate the election if fairly conducted.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

PART 5. SCHOOL DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD ELECTIONS [10600 - 10604]

10600.

When one member of the governing board of a school district or community college district is to be elected, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. When two or more members are to be elected, the two or more candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Each voter may vote for as many candidates as there are members to be elected. The ballot shall contain instructions stating the maximum number of candidates for whom each voter may vote.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10601.

Notwithstanding Section 10600, the governing board of any community college district may, by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the board, assign a number to each seat on the board to be selected by lot. Once the numbers are assigned, any candidate for election to the board shall be required to run for a particular numbered seat on the board and be elected by the voters of the district at large.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10602.

(a) The forms for declaration of candidacy for governing board elections shall be in substantially the following form:

“I, _, do hereby declare myself as a candidate for election to the governing board of _ District, of the County of __; I am a registered voter; if elected I will qualify and serve to the best of my ability; and I request my name be placed on the official ballots of the district, for the election to be held on the day of _, 19.

(b) In an election held under Section 5018 of the Education Code to elect additional governing board members, all candidates for member of the governing board shall also indicate on their declaration of candidacy whether they are candidates for the existing office or for the new offices.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

10603.

(a) In any school district or community college district governing board election the name of any person shall be placed on the ballot, subject to Sections 35107 and 72103 of the Education Code, if there is filed with the county elections official having jurisdiction, not more than 113 days nor less than 88 days prior to the election, a declaration of candidacy containing the appropriate information in the blank spaces and signed by the person whose name is thereby to be placed on the ballot.

(b) No candidate whose declaration of candidacy has been filed for any school district or community college district governing board election or county board of education election may withdraw as a candidate after the 88th day prior to the election.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as provided in subdivision (d), no person shall file nomination papers for more than one district office, including a county board of education office, at the same election.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a proposal to form a unified school district is on the same ballot as the election of governing board members of that district, any candidate for a position on the existing governing board may file nomination papers for that position pursuant to subdivision (a) and may, at the same election, also file nomination papers for a position on the governing board of the proposed unified school district.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 54. Effective September 30, 1996.)

10604.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 10603, if a declaration of candidacy for an incumbent member of a school district or community college district governing board or of a county board of education is not filed by 5 p.m. on the 88th day before the election, any person, other than the person who was the incumbent on the 88th day, shall have until 5 p.m. on the 83rd day before an election to file a declaration of candidacy for the elective office.

(b) This section is not applicable where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected. If this section is applicable, notwithstanding Section 10603, a candidate whose declaration of candidacy has been filed for any school district or community college district governing board election or county board of education election may withdraw as a candidate until 5 p.m. on the 83rd day before the election.

(Added by renumbering Section 10603 by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1143, Sec. 53. Effective September 30, 1996.)

PART 5.5. Special District Elections [10650- 10650.]

10650.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a governing body of a special district may require, by resolution, that the members of its governing body be elected using district-based elections, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 14026, without being required to submit the resolution to the voters for approval. A resolution adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall include a declaration that the change in the method of electing members of the governing body is being made in furtherance of the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 14025) of Division 14 of the Elections Code).

(b) For purposes of this section, “special district” means an agency of the state formed pursuant to general law or special act for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries. “Special district” does not include a city, county, city and county, school or community college district, special assessment district, or district with appointed members on its governing body.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 754, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2017.)

CHAPTER 2. Recall of State Officers: Intermediate Steps in the Recall [11100 - 11110]

11100.

(a) This chapter applies only to the recall of state officers.

(b) In addition to this chapter, Sections 13 to 18, inclusive, of Article II of the California Constitution and the applicable provisions of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 11000) and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11300) shall govern the recall of state officers.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 328, Sec. 62. Effective January 1, 2011.)

11101.

Unless and until it is otherwise proven upon official investigation, it shall be presumed that the petition presented contains the signatures of the requisite number of registered voters.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 714, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 1997.)

11102.

Each section of a recall petition shall be filed with the elections official of the county for which it was circulated.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 156, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2005.)

11103.

Each section of the petition shall be filed by the proponents or by any person or persons authorized, in writing, by a proponent. Each time an authorized person or persons files a section or sections of a petition, a copy of the written authorization shall be submitted to the elections official.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 714, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 1997.)

11104.

(a) The elections official, 30 days after a recall has been initiated and every 30 days thereafter, or more frequently at the discretion of the elections official, shall report to the Secretary of State all of the following:

(1) The number of signatures submitted on the recall petition sections for the period ending five days previously, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

(2) The cumulative total of all signatures received since the time the recall was initiated and through the period ending five days previously, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

(3) The number of valid signatures, verified pursuant to subdivision (b), submitted during the previous reporting period, and of valid signatures verified during the current reporting period.

(4) The cumulative total of all valid signatures received since the time the recall was initiated and ending five days previously, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

(b) Signatures shall be verified in the same manner set forth in subdivisions (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of Section 9030, and in Section 9031.

(c) The elections official, at the end of each 30-day period, shall attach to the petition a form provided by the Secretary of State, properly dated, that includes the information required by subdivision (a), and submit a copy of the petition, except as to the signatures appended thereto, to the Secretary of State and file a copy of the form in his or her office.

(d) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), and Section 11106, the elections official shall not be required to verify signatures on a recall petition until the signatures submitted equal at least 10 percent of the total signatures required to qualify the recall for the ballot, as determined by the Secretary of State.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 714, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 1997.)

11105.

Upon each submission, if fewer than 500 signatures are submitted to the elections official, he or she shall count the number of signatures and submit those results to the Secretary of State. If 500 or more signatures are submitted, the elections official may verify, using a random sampling technique, either 3 percent of the signatures submitted, or 500, whichever is greater. The random sample of signatures to be verified shall be drawn in a manner that every signature filed with the elections official shall be given an equal opportunity to be included in the sample. Upon completion of the signature verification, the elections official shall report the results to the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 11104.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 586, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2015.)

11106.

Immediately after the deadline for submission of all signatures, the elections official shall verify any remaining signatures in the same manner set forth in subdivisions (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of Section 9030, and in Section 9031. This verification shall apply to all signatures submitted to each county elections official.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 714, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 1997.)

11107.

The elections official, upon the completion of each examination, shall forthwith attach to the petition a certificate, properly dated, showing the result of the examination, and submit a copy of the petition, except as to the signatures appended thereto, to the Secretary of State and file a copy of the certificate in his or her office.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 714, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 1997.)

11108.

When the Secretary of State has received from one or more county elections officials a petition certified to have been signed by the stated number of registered voters, he or she shall, within 10 days, transmit to each county elections official a certificate showing that fact, and showing the total number of signatures collected by the proponents. The county elections official shall file the certificate in his or her office.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 714, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 1997.)

11109.

When the Secretary of State determines that the proponents have collected sufficient signatures, he or she shall certify that fact to the Governor.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 714, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 1997.)

11110.

Upon receiving certification of the sufficiency of the recall petitions from the Secretary of State, the Governor shall make or cause to be made publication of notice for the holding of the election. Officers charged by law with duties concerning elections shall make all arrangements for the election. The election shall be conducted, returned, and the results declared, in all respects as are other state elections.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 714, Sec. 20. Effective January 1, 1997.)

CHAPTER 1. Proclamations And Election Orders [12000 - 12001]

12000.

For each statewide election, the Governor shall issue a proclamation calling the election. The proclamation shall be issued by the Governor under his or her hand and the Great Seal of the state no later than the 148th day prior to the election and shall state the time of the election and the offices, if any, to be filled. Copies of the proclamation shall be transmitted by the Governor to the boards of supervisors of the counties.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

12001.

For a special local election, the governing body of the local agency shall issue a proclamation or a resolution calling the election.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 2. Preelection Notices [12101 - 12113]

12101.

(a) Not earlier than the 127th nor later than the 113th day before any municipal election to fill offices, the city elections official shall publish a notice of the election in the city pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. The notice shall be headed “Notice of Election,” and shall contain a statement of:

(1) The time of the election.

(2) The offices to be filled, specifying full term or short term, as the case may be.

(b) With respect to a special election to fill a vacancy in office, unless the city has enacted an ordinance as referred to in subdivision (d) of Section 10229, and the ordinance does not allow for appointment to fill the vacancy and requires the vacancy to be filled in the special election, the notice shall also state that if no one or only one person is nominated for an elected office, appointment to the elective office may be made as prescribed by Section 10229.

If there is no newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the city, the notice shall be typewritten and copies shall be posted conspicuously within the time prescribed in at least three public places in the city.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

12102.

The notice of the municipal election shall be substantially in the following form:

Notice is hereby given that a __ (general or special) municipal election will be held in the _ of _ on _, the _ day of _, 19_, for the following officers: (name them).

The polls will be open between the hours of _ m. and _ m.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

12103.

At least 158 days before the direct primary, the Secretary of State shall prepare and transmit to each county elections official a notice designating all the offices, except those of county officers and judges, for which candidates are to be nominated.

At least 125 days before the direct primary election, the Secretary of State shall prepare and transmit to each county elections official a notice designating the political parties qualified to participate in the primary.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

12104.

(a) A notice designating the offices for which candidates are to be nominated shall be in substantially the following form:

NOTICE BY SECRETARY OF STATE OF OFFICES FOR WHICH CANDIDATES ARE TO BE NOMINATED AT THE DIRECT PRIMARY

Secretary of State

Sacramento,__. 19 __.

To the County Elections Official of the County of __:

Notice is hereby given that the offices for which candidates are to be nominated at the primary election to be held on the __ day of_, 19__, together with the names of the political parties qualified to participate in the election, are as follows:

Notice is also hereby given that at the primary election, in the county first above mentioned, candidates are to be nominated for any county offices or judicial offices to which candidates are to be elected at the ensuing general election;

And notice is also hereby given that at the primary election there shall be elected in each county a county central committee for each political party above named pursuant to Division 7 (commencing with Section 7000) of the Elections Code.

(b) The notice designating the political parties qualified to participate in this election for nomination of candidates shall be in substantially the following form:

NOTICE BY SECRETARY OF STATE OF POLITICAL PARTIES QUALIFIED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION

Secretary of State

Sacramento, . 19.

To the County Elections Official of the County of __:

Notice is hereby given that the political parties qualified to participate in this election for nomination of candidates to partisan offices are as follows:

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

12105.

(a) The elections official shall, not less than one week before the election, publish the list of the polling places designated for each election precinct.

(b) Publication shall be pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in the jurisdiction where the election is to be held and in any newspaper of general circulation designated by the elections official. If there is no newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the jurisdiction, the list shall be typewritten and copies shall be posted conspicuously within the time prescribed in at least three public places within the city.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 201, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)

12105.5.

(a) Not less than one week before the election, the elections official shall post a list of all current polling places in each precinct and a list of precinct board members appointed by the 15th day before the election. Not later than 28 days after the election, the elections official shall post an updated list of the precinct board members who actually served on election day. The election official shall post these lists in his or her office and on his or her official Web site, if any.

(b) In each jurisdiction in which he or she determines that the public interest, convenience, and necessity requires the local posting of polling places and precinct board members, the elections official shall divide and distribute the lists for posting in any City Clerk’s office within the jurisdiction having the election.

(c) Each list required by this section shall remain posted for 30 days after completion of the canvass, shall then be archived by the elections official, and shall remain available for public inspection as long as election materials are required to be retained. Copies shall be made available upon request for a price not to exceed the cost of reproduction and mailing.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 201, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2006.)

12106.

(a) The elections official shall publish, as provided in this section and Section 12105, the list of polling places designated for each election precinct in each jurisdiction where the elections official determines that the public interest, convenience, and necessity require the local publication of the list to afford adequate notice of this subject to the electorate.

(b) After making a determination pursuant to subdivision (a), the elections official shall divide and distribute the list of polling places and cause the same to be published at least one week before the election in newspapers of general circulation published in different places in the jurisdiction.

(c) Divisions of the list of polling places may be published in that daily newspaper of general circulation published or circulated in one or more cities in the county, with the exception of the county seat, that is determined will give to the electorate in each city adequate notice of the election. If there is no daily newspaper, publication may be made in a semiweekly newspaper, a biweekly newspaper, or a weekly newspaper of general circulation that is determined will give the electorate in the city adequate notice of the election.

(d) The list of polling places designated for various portions of the unincorporated area of the county and of the county seat may be published in those daily, semiweekly, biweekly, or weekly newspapers of general circulation published or circulated within the various portions of the unincorporated area and the county seat, deemed by the county elections official to be those newspapers that will give adequate notice of the election to the voters of the respective portions of the unincorporated area and the county seat.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 201, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2006.)

12107.

(a) The elections official shall let the contracts for publication, pursuant to Section 12106, of the list of polling places designated for each election precinct, and shall determine the rate to be paid for the publication of the list or any portion of the list.

(b) The publication rate shall be based on a common denominator of measurement for all newspapers and may be graduated according to circulation.

Contracts for the publication shall include the publication of the proper portion of the list of polling places and all other items relating to that portion required by law to be published.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 201, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2006.)

12108.

In a case in which this chapter requires the posting or distribution of a list of the names of precinct board members, or a portion of the list, the officers charged with the duty of posting shall ascertain the name of the political party, if any, for which each precinct board member has expressed a preference, as shown in the affidavit of registration of that person. When the list is posted or distributed, there shall be printed the name of the board member’s party preference or an abbreviation of the name to the right of the name, or immediately below the name, of each precinct board member. If a precinct board member has not expressed a preference for a political party, the word “None” shall be printed in place of the party name.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 34. Effective February 10, 2012.)

12109.

Whenever the ballots at any election or from any precincts are to be tallied at a central place and not at the precincts, the elections official or secretary of the jurisdiction conducting the election shall specify the public place to be used and give notice thereof as follows:

(a) By at least one publication in a newspaper of general circulation published in the jurisdiction where the election is to be held, provided that the publication is made at least 10 days before the day of the election.

(b) If a newspaper of general circulation is not published in that jurisdiction, then by prominently posting the notice in the office of the elections official for at least 10 days before the day of the election.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

12110.

In case of a municipal election to fill offices, the city elections official shall not later than one week before the election publish a list of the names of the nominees, in the order in which they appear on the ballot, and the respective offices for which they have been nominated. Publication shall be in the city in a newspaper of general circulation. If there is no newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the city, the notice shall be typewritten and copies shall be posted conspicuously within the time prescribed in at least three public places in the city. This list shall be headed, “Nominees for Public Office,” in conspicuous type, and shall be substantially in the following form:

NOMINEES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

Notice is hereby given that the following persons have been nominated for the offices mentioned below to be filled at the general municipal election to be held in the __ of ___on __ the _ day of _, 20_.

(Here follow with the list of nominees.)

Dated, ____

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 344, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)

12111.

(a) In case of a municipal election on any measure, the city elections official shall publish a synopsis of the measure at least one time not later than one week before the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the city. If there is no newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the city, the notice shall be typewritten and copies shall be posted conspicuously within the time prescribed in at least three public places in the city.

The notice shall be headed “Measure To Be Voted On” in conspicuous type and shall be substantially in the following form:

MEASURE TO BE VOTED ON

Notice is hereby given that the following measure is to be voted on at the __ (general or special) municipal election to be held in the City of _, on Tuesday, the _ day of _, 2__.

(Synopsis of measure or measures)

Dated ____

(b) The city elections official shall consolidate the notice of election and the notice of measure to be voted on into one notice if the measure was placed on the ballot before the notice of election is published pursuant to Section 12101.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 785, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2005.)

12112.

(a) At least 90 days, and not more than 120 days, before the day fixed for the general district election, the elections official of the principal county shall publish a notice of the election once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the district or, if no such newspaper is published in the district, in a newspaper having general circulation in the district published in any affected county in the district. The notice shall contain the date of the general district election, name the offices for which candidates may file, and state the qualifications required by the principal act for each office. The notice shall state the location where official declarations of candidacy for eligible candidates desiring to file for any of the elective offices may be obtained, the office in which completed declarations of candidacy are required to be filed, and the date and time after which no declarations of candidacy may be accepted for filing. The notice shall state that appointment to each elective office will be made as prescribed by Section 10515 in the event there are no nominees or an insufficient number of nominees for the office and a petition for an election is not filed with the elections official within the time period prescribed by Section 10515.

(b) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (a), the county elections official shall, by a general press release, set forth both of the following:

(1) The elective offices of the district to be filled at the ensuing district election.

(2) A telephone number that voters of the district may utilize in order to obtain information regarding filing for the elective district office.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

12113.

For each school or special district, the county elections official immediately shall deliver a copy of all published notices to the district secretary. Each notice shall be posted in the district office.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)

CHAPTER 1. Purchasing Procedures [13000 - 13006]

13000.

The person in charge of elections for any county, city and county, city, or district shall provide ballots for any elections within his or her jurisdiction, and shall cause to be printed on them the name of every candidate whose name has been certified to or filed with the proper officer pursuant to law and who, therefore, is entitled to a place on the appropriate ballot.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13001.

All expenses authorized and necessarily incurred in the preparation for, and conduct of, elections as provided in this code shall be paid from the county treasuries, except that when an election is called by the governing body of a city the expenses shall be paid from the treasury of the city. All payments shall be made in the same manner as other county or city expenditures are made. The elections official, in providing the materials required by this division, need not utilize the services of the county or city purchasing agent.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 74. Effective January 1, 2009.)

13002.

Ballot paper and ballot cards used by a jurisdiction holding an election pursuant to the laws of California shall be tinted and watermarked or overprinted with a design, to be furnished by the Secretary of State, so that the watermark or overprint is plainly discernible.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 333, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2011.)

13004.

(a) The Secretary of State shall adopt regulations governing the manufacture, finishing, quality standards, distribution, and inventory control of ballot cards and ballot on demand systems. For commercial ballot manufacturers and finishers, the Secretary of State shall require a biennial inspection of the certified manufacturing, finishing, and storage facilities. The Secretary of State shall also approve each ballot card manufacturer, finisher, and ballot on demand system before manufacturing or finishing ballot cards, or deploying a ballot on demand system, for use in California elections.

(b) Not later than five working days before the Secretary of State begins his or her initial inspection, the ballot card manufacturer, finisher, or ballot on demand system vendor shall disclose to the Secretary of State in writing any known flaw or defect in its ballot card manufacturing or finishing process, manufactured or finished ballot cards, or ballot on demand system that could adversely affect the future casting or tallying of votes. Once approved by the Secretary of State, the ballot card manufacturer, finisher, or ballot on demand system vendor shall notify the Secretary of State and the affected local elections officials in writing within two business days after it discovers any flaw or defect in its ballot card manufacturing or finishing process, manufactured or finished ballot cards, or ballot on demand system that could adversely affect the future casting or tallying of votes.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 734, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2016.)

13004.5.

(a) A jurisdiction shall not purchase, lease, or contract for a ballot on demand system unless the ballot on demand system has been certified by the Secretary of State.

(b) A vendor, company, or person shall not sell, lease, or contract with a jurisdiction for the use of a ballot on demand system unless the ballot on demand system has been certified by the Secretary of State.

(c) This section does not preclude a jurisdiction from conducting research and development of a ballot on demand system. A ballot on demand system that is used for purposes of this subdivision shall not be used in an election conducted pursuant to this code unless the system has been certified by the Secretary of State.

(d) The Secretary of State shall promulgate regulations for purposes of certifying ballot on demand systems.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 734, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2016.)

13005.

(a) Before a user may purchase ballot cards, the user shall request in writing a release for a specific quantity of these ballot cards from the Secretary of State. If the request is in order, the Secretary of State shall issue a written release for that quantity to the manufacturer, or to the authorized warehouse, and to the user. The format, text, and use of the request and release shall be governed by regulations adopted by the Secretary of State.

(b) Nothing in this section prohibits a verbal request or verbal release, provided that this verbal request or verbal release is immediately confirmed in writing. The regulations shall expressly deny the manufacturing of ballot cards without a specific release.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 333, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2011.)

13006.

A user, vendor, or manufacturer shall not warehouse for a subsequent election ballot paper or ballot cards furnished or released by the Secretary of State for a specific election without first obtaining authorization in writing from the Secretary of State for the storage. The authorization shall include the particular details of the amount to be stored so that audit controls may be established and maintained. Ballot paper or ballot cards not used in that election, not authorized to be retained for subsequent elections, and not returned to the Secretary of State, shall be destroyed. A certificate of destruction setting forth the date of destruction and the amount of the ballot paper or ballot cards destroyed shall be transmitted to the Secretary of State.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 333, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2011.)

CHAPTER 2. Forms of Ballots: Ballot Order [13100 - 13121]

13100.

All ballots used in all elections shall be governed by this chapter unless otherwise specifically provided.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13101.

In the case of the prevention of an election in any precinct by the loss or destruction of the ballots intended for that precinct, the inspector or other precinct officer for that precinct shall make an affidavit setting forth the fact and transmit it to the Governor. Upon receipt of the affidavit, the Governor may, and upon the application of any candidate for any office to be voted for by the voters of that precinct the Governor shall, order a new election in that precinct.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13102.

(a) All voting shall be by ballot. There shall be provided, at each polling place, at each election at which public officers are to be voted for, but one form of ballot for all candidates for public office, except that, for partisan primary elections, one form of ballot shall be provided for each qualified political party as well as one form of nonpartisan ballot, in accordance with subdivision (b).

(b) At partisan primary elections, each voter not registered disclosing a preference with any one of the political parties participating in the election shall be furnished only a nonpartisan ballot, unless he or she requests a ballot of a political party and that political party, by party rule duly noticed to the Secretary of State, authorizes a person who has declined to disclose a party preference to vote the ballot of that political party. The nonpartisan ballot shall contain only the names of all candidates for nonpartisan offices, voter-nominated offices, and measures to be voted for at the primary election. Each voter registered as preferring a political party participating in the election shall be furnished only a ballot for which he or she disclosed a party preference in accordance with Section 2151 or 2152 and the nonpartisan ballot, both of which shall be printed together as one ballot in the form prescribed by Section 13207.

(c) A political party may adopt a party rule in accordance with subdivision (b) that authorizes a person who has declined to disclose a party preference to vote the ballot of that political party at the next ensuing partisan primary election. The political party shall notify the party chair immediately upon adoption of that party rule. The party chair shall provide written notice of the adoption of that rule to the Secretary of State not later than the 135th day prior to the partisan primary election at which the vote is authorized.

(d) The county elections official shall maintain a record of which political party’s ballot was requested pursuant to subdivision (b), or whether a nonpartisan ballot was requested, by each person who declined to disclose a party preference. The record shall be made available to any person or committee who is authorized to receive copies of the printed indexes of registration for primary and general elections pursuant to Section 2184. A record produced pursuant to this subdivision shall be made available in either a printed or electronic format, as requested by the authorized person or committee.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 1, Sec. 45. Effective January 1, 2010. Operative January 1, 2011, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 1.)

13103.

Every ballot shall contain all of the following:

(a) The title of each office, arranged to conform as nearly as practicable to the plan set forth in this chapter.

(b) The names of all qualified candidates, except that:

(1) Instead of the names of candidates for delegate to the national conventions, there shall be printed the names of the presidential candidates to whom they are pledged or the names of candidates for chairmen of party national convention delegations.

(2) Instead of the names of candidates for presidential electors, there shall be printed in pairs the names of the candidates of the respective parties for President and Vice President of the United States. These names shall appear under the title “President and Vice President.”

(c) The titles and summaries of measures submitted to vote of the voters.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13104.

If a candidate changes his or her name within one year of any election, the new name shall not appear upon the ballot unless the change was made by either of the following:

(a) Marriage.

(b) Decree of any court of competent jurisdiction.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13105.

(a) In the case of a candidate for a voter-nominated office in a primary election, a general election, or a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of United States Senator, Member of the United States House of Representatives, State Senator, or Member of the Assembly, immediately to the right of and on the same line as the name of the candidate, or immediately below the name if there is not sufficient space to the right of the name, there shall be identified, as specified by the Secretary of State, the designation made by the candidate pursuant to Section 8002.5. The identification shall be in substantially the following form:

(1) In the case of a candidate who designated a political party preference pursuant to Section 8002.5, “Party Preference: __.”

(2) In the case of a candidate who did not state a preference for a political party pursuant to Section 8002.5, “Party Preference: None.”

(b) In the case of candidates for President and Vice President, the name of the party shall appear to the right of and equidistant from the pair of names of these candidates and on the same line as the name of the candidate for President, or immediately below the name of the vice presidential candidate if there is not sufficient space to the right of the name.

(c) If for a general election any candidate for President of the United States or Vice President of the United States has received the nomination of any additional party or parties, the name(s) shall be printed to the right of the name of the candidate’s own party. Party names of a candidate shall be separated by commas. If a candidate has qualified for the ballot by virtue of an independent nomination, the word “Independent” shall be printed instead of the name of a political party in accordance with the above rules.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 3, Sec. 35. Effective February 10, 2012.)

13106.

No title or degree shall appear on the same line on a ballot as a candidate’s name, either before or after the candidate’s name, in the case of any election to any office.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13107.

(a) With the exception of candidates for Justice of the State Supreme Court or Court of Appeal, immediately under the name of each candidate, and not separated from the name by any line, unless the designation made by the candidate pursuant to Section 8002.5 must be listed immediately below the name of the candidate pursuant to Section 13105, and in that case immediately under the designation, may appear at the option of the candidate only one of the following designations:

(1) Words designating the elective city, county, district, state, or federal office which the candidate holds at the time of filing the nomination documents to which he or she was elected by vote of the people, or to which he or she was appointed, in the case of a superior court judge.

(2) The word “incumbent” if the candidate is a candidate for the same office which he or she holds at the time of filing the nomination papers, and was elected to that office by a vote of the people, or, in the case of a superior court judge, was appointed to that office.

(3) No more than three words designating either the current principal professions, vocations, or occupations of the candidate, or the principal professions, vocations, or occupations of the candidate during the calendar year immediately preceding the filing of nomination documents. For purposes of this section, all California geographical names shall be considered to be one word. Hyphenated words that appear in any generally available standard reference dictionary, published in the United States at any time within the 10 calendar years immediately preceding the election for which the words are counted, shall be considered as one word. Each part of all other hyphenated words shall be counted as a separate word.

(4) The phrase “appointed incumbent” if the candidate holds an office other than a judicial office by virtue of appointment, and the candidate is a candidate for election to the same office, or, if the candidate is a candidate for election to the same office or to some other office, the word “appointed” and the title of the office. In either instance, the candidate may not use the unmodified word “incumbent” or any words designating the office unmodified by the word “appointed.” However, the phrase “appointed incumbent” shall not be required of a candidate who seeks reelection to an office which he or she holds and to which he or she was appointed, as a nominated candidate, in lieu of an election, pursuant to Sections 5326 and 5328 of the Education Code or Section 7228, 7423, 7673, 10229, or 10515 of this code.

(b) Neither the Secretary of State nor any other elections official shall accept a designation of which any of the following would be true:

(1) It would mislead the voter.

(2) It would suggest an evaluation of a candidate, such as outstanding, leading, expert, virtuous, or eminent.

(3) It abbreviates the word “retired” or places it following any word or words which it modifies.

(4) It uses a word or prefix, such as “former” or “ex-,” which means a prior status. The only exception is the use of the word “retired.”

(5) It uses the name of any political party, whether or not it has qualified for the ballot.

(6) It uses a word or words referring to a racial, religious, or ethnic group.

(7) It refers to any activity prohibited by law.

(c) If, upon checking the nomination documents and the ballot designation worksheet described in Section 13107.3, the elections official finds the designation to be in violation of any of the restrictions set forth in this section, the elections official shall notify the candidate by registered or certified mail return receipt requested, addressed to the mailing address provided on the candidate’s ballot designation worksheet.

(1) The candidate shall, within three days, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and state holidays, from the date he or she receives notice by registered or certified mail, or from the date the candidate receives actual notice of the violation, whichever occurs first, appear before the elections official or, in the case of the Secretary of State, notify the Secretary of State by telephone, and provide a designation that complies with subdivision (a).

(2) In the event the candidate fails to provide a designation that complies with subdivision (a) within the three-day period specified in paragraph (1), no designation shall appear after the candidate’s name.

(d) No designation given by a candidate shall be changed by the candidate after the final date for filing nomination documents, except as specifically requested by the elections official as specified in subdivision (c) or as provided in subdivision (e). The elections official shall maintain a copy of the ballot designation worksheet for each candidate that appears on the ballot in the county for the same period of time as applied to nomination documents pursuant to Section 17100.

(e) The designation shall remain the same for all purposes of both primary and general elections, unless the candidate, at least 98 days before the general election, requests in writing a different designation which the candidate is entitled to use at the time of the request.

(f) In all cases, the words so used shall be printed in 8-point roman uppercase and lowercase type except that, if the designation selected is so long that it would conflict with the space requirements of Sections 13207 and 13211, the elections official shall use a type size for the designation for each candidate for that office sufficiently smaller to meet these requirements.

(g) Whenever a foreign language translation of a candidate’s designation is required under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101), as amended, to appear on the ballot in addition to the English language version, it shall be as short as possible, as consistent as is practicable with this section, and shall employ abbreviations and initials wherever possible in order to avoid undue length.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 732, Sec. 29. Effective January 1, 2016.)

13107.3.

(a) A candidate who submits a ballot designation pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13107 shall file a ballot designation worksheet that supports the use of that ballot designation by the candidate, in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(b) The ballot designation worksheet shall be filed with the elections official at the same time that the candidate files his or her declaration of candidacy.

(c) In the event that a candidate fails to file a ballot designation worksheet in accordance with subdivision (a), no designation shall appear under the candidate’s name on the ballot.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 547, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2010.)

13107.5.

(a) A candidate’s ballot designation as “community volunteer” shall constitute a valid principal vocation or occupation for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 13107, if not otherwise in violation of any of the restrictions set forth in that section, and subject to the following conditions:

(1) A candidate’s community volunteer activities constitute his or her principal profession, vocation, or occupation.

(2) A candidate is not engaged concurrently in another principal profession, vocation, or occupation.

(3) A candidate may not use the designation of “community volunteer” in combination with any other principal profession, vocation, or occupation designation.

(b) The Secretary of State shall by regulation define what constitutes a community volunteer for purposes of this section.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 364, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

13108.

(a) At the first elections for Representative in Congress, State Senator, Member of the Assembly, and Member of the Board of Equalization in each congressional, senatorial, Assembly, and Board of Equalization district following the adjustment of the boundary lines of the congressional, senatorial, Assembly, and Board of Equalization districts by the Citizens Redistricting Commission pursuant to Section 6 of Article IV, Section 17 of Article XIII, and Section 1 of Article XXI, of the California Constitution, that candidate who shall be deemed the incumbent in a given district for purposes of the election shall be that candidate who is running for the same office that he or she then holds, and who is running for reelection in a district that has the identical boundaries and number as the district from which he or she was last elected.

(b) In the event there is no candidate to whom subdivision (a) applies, the incumbent shall be that candidate who is running for the same office that he or she then holds, and who is running for reelection in a district that has the identical boundaries as the district from which he or she was last elected, but that has a different number.

(c) In the event there is no candidate to whom subdivision (a) or (b) apply, the incumbent shall be that candidate who is running for the same office that he or she then holds, and who is running for reelection in a district that contains some portion of the territory previously contained within the district from which he or she was last elected. However, in a new district that contains portions of the territory of more than one former district, the incumbent shall be that candidate the greater portion of the population, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, of whose former district is included within the new district.

(d) In the event there is no candidate to whom subdivision (a), (b), or (c) apply, the incumbent shall be that candidate who is running for the same office that he or she then holds, and who is running for reelection in a district that has the identical number as the district from which he or she was last elected. However, a candidate for the office of Member of the Assembly shall be considered the incumbent in this case only if the district bearing the same number is located in the same county as the district that previously bore that number.

(e) If there is no candidate in a given district to which any of the above provisions apply, the incumbent shall be the person who is a candidate for the same office that he or she then holds who fulfills the residency requirements of law for candidacy within the district.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 887, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

13109.

The order of precedence of offices on the ballot shall be as listed below for those offices and measures that apply to the election for which this ballot is provided. Beginning in the column to the left:

(a) Under the heading, PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT:

Nominees of the qualified political parties and independent nominees for President and Vice President.

(b) Under the heading, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

(1) Names of the presidential candidates to whom the delegates are pledged.

(2) Names of the chairpersons of unpledged delegations.

(c) Under the heading, STATE:

(1) Governor.

(2) Lieutenant Governor.

(3) Secretary of State.

(4) Controller.

(5) Treasurer.

(6) Attorney General.

(7) Insurance Commissioner.

(8) Member, State Board of Equalization.

(d) Under the heading, UNITED STATES SENATOR:

Candidates or nominees to the United States Senate.

(e) Under the heading, UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE:

Candidates or nominees to the House of Representatives of the United States.

(f) Under the heading, STATE SENATOR:

Candidates or nominees to the State Senate.

(g) Under the heading, MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY:

Candidates or nominees to the Assembly.

(h) Under the heading, COUNTY COMMITTEE:

Members of the County Central Committee.

(i) Under the heading, JUDICIAL:

(1) Chief Justice of California.

(2) Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

(3) Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal.

(4) Associate Justice, Court of Appeal.

(5) Judge of the Superior Court.

(6) Marshal.

(j) Under the heading, SCHOOL:

(1) Superintendent of Public Instruction.

(2) County Superintendent of Schools.

(3) County Board of Education Members.

(4) College District Governing Board Members.

(5) Unified District Governing Board Members.

(6) High School District Governing Board Members.

(7) Elementary District Governing Board Members.

(k) Under the heading, COUNTY:

(1) County Supervisor.

(2) Other offices in alphabetical order by the title of the office.

(l) Under the heading, CITY:

(1) Mayor.

(2) Member, City Council.

(3) Other offices in alphabetical order by the title of the office.

(m) Under the heading, DISTRICT:

Directors or trustees for each district in alphabetical order according to the name of the district.

(n) Under the heading, MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS and the appropriate heading from subdivisions (a) through (m), above, ballot measures in the order, state through district shown above, and within each jurisdiction, in the order prescribed by the official certifying them for the ballot.

(o) In order to allow for the most efficient use of space on the ballot in counties that use a voting system, as defined in Section 362, the county elections official may vary the order of subdivisions (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n) as well as the order of offices within these subdivisions. However, the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction shall always precede any school, county, or city office, and state measures shall always precede local measures.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 99. Effective January 1, 2003.)

13109.5.

Notwithstanding anything in Section 13109 to the contrary, and to facilitate compliance with Section 13206, the elections official may list the offices specified in subdivision (h) of Section 13109 directly after the offices specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 13109, when the offices specified in those subsections are on the ballot, or at the end of the ballot in elections at which the offices specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 13109 are not listed on the ballot.

(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 1, Sec. 47. Effective January 1, 2010. Operative January 1, 2011, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 1.)

13110.

The group of names of candidates for any partisan office, voter-nominated office, or nonpartisan office shall be the same on the ballots of all voters entitled to vote for candidates for that office, except that in partisan primary elections, the names of candidates for nomination to partisan office shall appear only on the ballots of the political party, the nomination of which they seek, and candidates for election to a political party committee shall appear only on the ballots of the political party for which the candidate seeks election.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 1, Sec. 48. Effective January 1, 2010. Operative January 1, 2011, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 1.)

13111.

Candidates for each office shall be printed on the ballot in accordance with the following rules:

(a) The names of presidential candidates to whom candidates for delegate to the national convention are pledged, and the names of chairpersons of groups of candidates for delegate expressing no preference, shall be arranged on the primary election ballot by the Secretary of State by the names of the candidates in accordance with the randomized alphabet as provided for in Section 13112 in the case of the ballots for the First Assembly District. Thereafter, for each succeeding Assembly district, the name appearing first in the last preceding Assembly district shall be placed last, the order of the other names remaining unchanged.

(b) The names of the pairs of candidates for President and Vice President shall be arranged on the general election ballot by the Secretary of State by the names of the candidates for President in accordance with the randomized alphabet as provided for in Section 13112 in the case of the ballots for the First Assembly District. Thereafter, for each succeeding Assembly district, the pair appearing first in the last preceding Assembly district shall be placed last, the order of the other pairs remaining unchanged.

(c) In the case of all other offices, the candidates for which are to be voted on throughout the state, the Secretary of State shall arrange the names of the candidates for the office in accordance with the randomized alphabet as provided for in Section 13112 for the First Assembly District. Thereafter, for each succeeding Assembly district, the name appearing first in the last preceding Assembly district shall be placed last, the order of the other names remaining unchanged.

(d) If the office is that of Representative in Congress or member of the State Board of Equalization, the Secretary of State shall arrange the names of candidates for the office in accordance with the randomized alphabet as provided for in Section 13112 for that Assembly district that has the lowest number of all the Assembly districts in which candidates are to be voted on. Thereafter, for each succeeding Assembly district in which the candidates are to be voted on, the names appearing first in the last preceding Assembly district shall be placed last, the order of the other names remaining unchanged.

(e) If the office is that of State Senator or Member of the Assembly, the county elections official shall arrange the names of the candidates for the office in accordance with the randomized alphabet as provided for in Section 13112, unless the district encompasses more than one county, in which case the arrangement shall be made pursuant to subdivision (i).

(f) If the office is to be voted upon wholly within, but not throughout, one county, as in the case of municipal, district, county supervisor, and county central committee offices, the official responsible for conducting the election shall determine the order of names in accordance with the randomized alphabet as provided for in Section 13112.

(g) If the office is to be voted on throughout a single county, and there are not more than four Assembly districts wholly or partly in the county, the county elections official shall determine the order of names in accordance with the randomized alphabet as provided for in Section 13112 for the first supervisorial district. Thereafter, for each succeeding supervisorial district, the name appearing first for each office in the last preceding supervisorial district shall be placed last, the order of the other names remaining unchanged.

(h) If there are five or more Assembly districts wholly or partly in the county, an identical procedure shall be followed, except that rotation shall be by Assembly district, commencing with the Assembly district which has the lowest number.

(i) Except as provided in subdivision (d) of Section 13112, if the office is that of State Senator or Member of the Assembly, and the district includes more than one county, the county elections official in each county shall conduct a drawing of the letters of the alphabet, pursuant to the same procedures specified in Section 13112. The results of the drawing shall be known as a county randomized ballot and shall be used only to arrange the names of the candidates when the district includes more than one county.

(j) If the office is that of Justice of the California Supreme Court or a court of appeal, the appropriate elections officials shall arrange the names of the candidates for the office in accordance with the randomized alphabet as provided for in Section 13112. However, the names of the judicial candidates shall not be rotated among the applicable districts.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 100. Effective January 1, 2003.)

13112.

The Secretary of State shall conduct a drawing of the letters of the alphabet, the result of which shall be known as a randomized alphabet. The procedure shall be as follows:

(a) Each letter of the alphabet shall be written on a separate slip of paper, each of which shall be folded and inserted into a capsule. Each capsule shall be opaque and of uniform weight, color, size, shape, and texture. The capsules shall be placed in a container, which shall be shaken vigorously in order to mix the capsules thoroughly. The container then shall be opened and the capsules removed at random one at a time. As each is removed, it shall be opened and the letter on the slip of paper read aloud and written down. The resulting random order of letters constitutes the randomized alphabet, which is to be used in the same manner as the conventional alphabet in determining the order of all candidates in all elections. For example, if two candidates with the surnames Campbell and Carlson are running for the same office, their order on the ballot will depend on the order in which the letters M and R were drawn in the randomized alphabet drawing.

(b) (1) There shall be six drawings, three in each even-numbered year and three in each odd-numbered year. Each drawing shall be held at 11 a.m. on the date specified in this subdivision. The results of each drawing shall be mailed immediately to each county elections official responsible for conducting an election to which the drawing is applicable, who shall use it in determining the order on the ballot of the names of the candidates for office.

(A) The first drawing under this subdivision shall take place on the 82nd day before the April general law city elections of an even-numbered year, and shall apply to those elections and any other elections held at the same time.

(B) The second drawing under this subdivision shall take place on the 82nd day before the direct primary of an even-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates on the ballot in that election.

(C) (i) The third drawing under this subdivision shall take place on the 82nd day before the November general election of an even-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates on the ballot in the November general election.

(ii) In the case of the primary election and the November general election, the Secretary of State shall certify and transmit to each county elections official the order in which the names of federal and state candidates, with the exception of candidates for State Senate and Assembly, shall appear on the ballot. The elections official shall determine the order on the ballot of all other candidates using the appropriate randomized alphabet for that purpose.

(D) The fourth drawing under this subdivision shall take place on the 82nd day before the March general law city elections of each odd-numbered year, and shall apply to those elections and any other elections held at the same time.

(E) The fifth drawing under this subdivision shall take place on the 82nd day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of each odd-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates on the ballot in the elections held on that date.

(F) The sixth drawing under this subdivision shall take place on the 82nd day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the odd-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates on the ballot in the elections held on that date.

(2) In the event there is to be an election of candidates to a special district, school district, charter city, or other local government body at the same time as one of the five major election dates specified in subparagraphs (A) to (F), inclusive, and the last possible day to file nomination papers for the local election would occur after the date of the drawing for the major election date, the procedure set forth in Section 13113 shall apply.

(c) Each randomized alphabet drawing shall be open to the public. At least 10 days prior to a drawing, the Secretary of State shall notify the news media and other interested parties of the date, time, and place of the drawing. The president of each statewide association of local officials with responsibilities for conducting elections shall be invited by the Secretary of State to attend each drawing or send a representative. The state chairman of each qualified political party shall be invited to attend or send a representative in the case of drawings held to determine the order of candidates on the primary election ballot, the November general election ballot, or a special election ballot as provided for in subdivision (d).

(d) In the case of any special election for State Assembly, State Senate, or Representative in Congress, on the first weekday after the close of filing of nomination papers for the office, the Secretary of State shall conduct a public drawing to produce a randomized alphabet in the same manner as provided for in subdivisions (a) and (c). The resulting randomized alphabet shall be used for determining the order on the ballot of the candidates in both the primary election for the special election and in the special election.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 508, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2007.)

13113.

(a) In the case of an election of candidates in a special district, school district, charter city (whose charter does not provide to the contrary), or other local government body, occurring on other than one of the election dates specified in subdivision (b) of Section 13112, the official responsible for conducting the election shall, at the same time that the election is called, notify the Secretary of State by registered mail of the date of the election, the date of the close of filing, and the last possible date for filing in the event there is an extension of filing due to an incumbent failing to file. The Secretary of State shall conduct a randomized alphabet drawing pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13112 on the first weekday following the last possible day of filing in the event there is an extension for the election.

(b) Except as provided for runoff elections in subdivision (d), if two or more drawings for local government elections would occur on the same date, the Secretary of State may use a single randomized alphabet drawing for all of these elections. The Secretary of State shall communicate the results of the drawing by registered mail to each respective official responsible for conducting the election who shall use it to determine the order on the ballot of all candidates’ names.

(c) All drawings held pursuant to this section shall be open to the public.

(d) If a charter city conducts a runoff election, it shall use the results of a randomized alphabet drawing separate from the results of the randomized alphabet drawing used for the initial election for that runoff election. The city shall, within three days following the initial election, notify the Secretary of State by registered mail of the date of the election and request that he or she conduct a randomized alphabet drawing for the runoff election. The Secretary of State shall immediately conduct a randomized alphabet drawing for the runoff election and communicate the results of the drawing to the elections official responsible for conducting the runoff election who shall use the results to determine the order of all the candidates’ names on the ballot. The results of the randomized alphabet drawing shall be clearly labeled “FOR USE IN A RUNOFF ELECTION ONLY.”

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 508, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2007.)

13114.

(a) At any regular meeting of a city council held prior to the date on which the Secretary of State conducts the randomized alphabet drawing applicable to the regular municipal election under Section 13112, or, under Section 13113, applicable to a special election called to fill a vacancy on the city council, the city council may, by resolution, provide for the rotation on the ballot of the names of candidates for any elective city office.

(b) A resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall specify which regular statewide election precincts or, if precincts have been consolidated for purposes of the city election, which consolidated precincts, shall constitute each cluster of precincts for purposes of the rotation of candidates’ names on the ballot.

(c) (1) As used in this section, a “cluster” shall consist of one or more precincts which need not be contiguous. The clusters of precincts shall be numbered in consecutive order for purposes of ballot rotation of candidates’ names, and the resolution shall list the clusters by number and identify which precincts are in each cluster.

(2) No cluster of precincts shall contain a number of registered voters which is more than 10 percent greater or lesser than the average number of registered voters for a cluster as of the most recent estimate by the county elections official of the number of registered voters in each regular precinct in the city prior to the adoption of the resolution. The resolution shall set forth the total number of registered voters in each cluster.

(d) A resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall specify that, in the cluster designated as cluster number one, the names shall appear on the ballot in the order determined by the Secretary of State’s randomized alphabet drawing. For each successive cluster, the resolution shall specify the manner of determining the order of the candidates’ names by applying the following:

(1) If the number of candidates for an office is equal to or less than the number of clusters, in cluster number two and each successive cluster, the name appearing first in the last preceding cluster shall be placed last, the order of the other names remaining unchanged.

(2) If the number of candidates for an office is greater than the number of clusters, the former shall be divided by the latter. If the resulting quotient is a mixed number and the fractional part of the mixed number is less than one-half, the fraction shall be discarded. If the fractional part of the mixed number is one-half or greater, the quotient shall be raised to the next largest whole number. The whole number that results from this process shall be the number of candidates that, in cluster number two and each successive cluster, shall be taken from the beginning of the list and placed at the end of the list, the order of the other names remaining unchanged.

(e) (1) No city may provide for rotation of candidates’ names on the ballot for a particular election unless the resolution authorizing it, in accordance with this section, is adopted by the city council at a regular meeting, at which the city elections official has provided cost estimates of this rotation, prior to the date of the randomized alphabet drawing applicable to the election.

(2) A city council resolution that provides for rotation of candidates’ names pursuant to this section for any election which is consolidated with any county or state election shall also provide for the payment of computer programming, formatting, preparation, and all similar related administrative costs associated with development of the ballot on which those names appear.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13115.

The order in which all state measures that are to be submitted to the voters shall appear on the ballot is as follows:

(a) Bond measures, including those proposed by initiative, in the order in which they qualify.

(b) Constitutional amendments, including those proposed by initiative, in the order in which they qualify.

(c) Legislative measures, other than those described in subdivision (a) or (b), in the order in which they are approved by the Legislature.

(d) Initiative measures, other than those described in subdivision (a) or (b), in the order in which they qualify.

(e) Referendum measures, in the order in which they qualify.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 76, Sec. 57. Effective January 1, 2014.)

13116.

(a) In an election at which state, county, city, or other local measures are submitted to a vote of the voters, all state measures shall be numbered in numerical order, as provided in this chapter or division. All county, city, or other local measures shall be designated by a letter, instead of a figure, printed on the left margin of the square containing the description of the measure, commencing with the letter “A” and continuing in alphabetical order, one letter for each of these measures appearing on the ballot.

(b) An elections official may commence designating local measures with any letter of the alphabet following the letter “A,” and continuing in alphabetical order, in order to avoid voter confusion that might result from different local measures carrying the same letter designation in successive elections.

(c) Where two or more counties or cities submitting measures to the voters are in close proximity, the elections officials of those counties or cities may mutually agree to use letter designation for ballot measures that will not conflict or confuse the voter.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13117.

(a) Commencing with the November 3, 1998, general election, all state measures in all elections at which state measures are submitted to a vote of the voters shall be numbered in a continuous sequence, commencing with the number “1” and continuing in numerical sequence for a period of 10 years from the year of commencement.

(b) At the completion of a 10-year cycle, the numbering sequence shall recommence with the number “1” at the next election at which state measures are submitted to a vote of the voters.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 58, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)

13118.

The following rules apply when a person who is a candidate for an office believes that another person with a name that is so similar that it may be confused with his or her name has filed or will file a nomination paper for the same office:

(a) The candidate may, at the time of filing his or her nomination paper, or within five days after the time for filing nomination papers has expired, file with the elections official a statement that shall be in substance as follows:

“I __, believe that another person, whose name is so similar to mine that it may be confused with mine, has filed or will file a nomination paper for the same office for which I have filed a nomination paper, and I therefore request and direct that the elections official assign a number to each candidate with a similar name to be printed on the ballot as a distinguishing mark.

(b) The distinguishing mark shall be a number, commencing with the number “1” and continuing in numerical sequence until each candidate with a similar name has been assigned a distinguishing number, and shall be printed at the right of the name on the ballot.

(c) The first candidate who filed his or her nomination papers shall have the number “1” and each subsequent candidate, based on the time of filing his or her nomination papers, shall be assigned the next number in numerical sequence.

(d) In addition to the designated numbers that the elections official shall place on the ballot when the above conditions are met, he or she shall place on the ballot, immediately preceding the names of the candidates to be voted upon, the following warning:

“Warning! ? There are two (or applicable number) candidates for this office with identical names.”

This warning shall also be included, in a prominent manner, on any state voter information guide, county voter information guide, or other mailing sent by the elections official, before the election, to persons eligible to vote for this office.

(e) To determine the order on the ballot for the candidates with similar names, the elections official shall conduct a drawing of the numbers assigned to the candidates in a similar manner as provided for in Section 13112.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 60. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13119.

(a) The ballots used when voting upon a proposed county, city, or district ordinance submitted to the voters of the respective local government as an initiative measure pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 9000) shall have printed on them the words “Shall the ordinance (stating the nature thereof) be adopted?” Opposite the statement of the ordinance to be voted on, and to its right, the words “Yes” and “No” shall be printed on separate lines, with voting squares. If a voter stamps a cross (+) in the voting square after the printed word “Yes,” his or her vote shall be counted in favor of the adoption of the ordinance. If he or she stamps a cross (+) in the voting square after the printed word “No,” his or her vote shall be counted against its adoption.

(b) If the proposed ordinance imposes a tax or raises the rate of a tax, the ballot shall include in the statement of the ordinance to be voted on the amount of money to be raised annually and the rate and duration of the tax to be levied.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 337, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016.)

13120.

The ballots used when voting upon a state, county, city, or district statute or ordinance referred to the voters of the respective jurisdiction as a referendum measure pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 9000) shall have printed on them the words “Shall the statute (or ordinance) (stating the nature thereof, including any identifying number or title) be adopted?” Opposite the statement of the statute or ordinance to be voted on and to its right, the words “Yes” and “No” shall be printed on separate lines, with voting squares. If a voter stamps a cross (+) in the voting square after the printed word “Yes,” his or her vote shall be counted in favor of the adoption of the ordinance or statute. If he or she stamps a cross (+) in the voting square after the printed word “No,” his or her vote shall be counted against its adoption.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13121.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the county elections official conducting any school election shall not be required to provide more than one ballot to the same voter for the purpose of voting on separate propositions at the same election. However, no voter shall be presented with a ballot containing a proposition on which he or she is not entitled to vote by reason of not residing within the district or area affected by the proposition.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 4. State and County Voter Information Guides [13300 - 13317]

13300.

(a) By at least 29 days before the partisan primary, each county elections official shall prepare a separate county voter information guide for each political party and a separate nonpartisan county voter information guide. The county elections official shall place in each guide, as applicable, in the order provided in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 13100), and under the appropriate title of each office, the names of all candidates for whom nomination papers have been duly filed with him or her, or have been certified to him or her by the Secretary of State, to be voted for in his or her county at the partisan primary election.

(b) The county voter information guides shall include a substantial facsimile of the official ballots, except as otherwise provided by law. The county voter information guides shall be printed on paper of a different texture from the paper to be used for the official ballot.

(c) One county voter information guide of the party for which the voter has disclosed a preference, as evidenced by his or her registration, shall be mailed not more than 40 nor fewer than 10 days before the election to each voter entitled to vote at the primary who registered at least 29 days before the election. A nonpartisan county voter information guide shall be so mailed to each voter who is not registered as preferring any of the parties participating in the primary election. On election day the voter may, upon request, vote the ballot of a political party if authorized by the party’s rules, duly noticed to the Secretary of State.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 64. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13300.5.

In order to facilitate the timely production and distribution of county voter information guides, the county elections official may prepare a combined county voter information guide.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 65. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13300.7.

Notwithstanding any other law, county and city elections officials may establish procedures designed to permit a voter to opt out of receiving his or her county voter information guide, state voter information guide, notice of polling place, and associated materials by mail, and instead obtain them electronically via email or by accessing them on the county’s or city’s Internet Web site, if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The procedures establish a method of providing notice of and an opportunity by which a voter can notify elections officials of his or her desire to obtain ballot materials electronically in lieu of receiving them by mail.

(b) The voter email address or any other information provided by the voter under this section remains confidential pursuant to Section 6254.4 of the Government Code and Section 2194 of this code.

(c) The procedures provide notice and opportunity for a voter who has opted out of receiving a county voter information guide and other materials by mail to opt back into receiving them by mail.

(d) The procedures establish a process by which a voter can apply electronically to become a vote by mail voter.

(e) A voter may only opt out of, or opt back into, receiving his or her county voter information guide and other ballot materials by mail if the elections official receives the request and can process it before the statutory deadline for the mailing of those materials for the next election, pursuant to Section 13303. If a voter misses this deadline, the request shall take effect the following election.

(f) The procedures shall include a verification process to confirm the voter’s identity, either in writing with a signature card that can be matched to the one on file with the elections official, or if the request is submitted electronically, it shall contain the voter’s California driver’s license number, California identification number, or a partial social security number.

(g) Information made available over the Internet pursuant to this section shall meet or exceed the most current, ratified standards under Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794d), as amended, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 adopted by the World Wide Web Consortium for accessibility. Election officials may also implement recommendations of the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee made pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 2053, and of any local Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee created pursuant to the guidelines promulgated by the Secretary of State related to the accessibility of polling places by the physically handicapped.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 66. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13302.

(a) The county elections official shall forthwith submit the county voter information guide of each political party to the chairperson of the county central committee of that party, and shall mail a copy to each candidate for whom nomination papers have been filed in his or her office or whose name has been certified to him or her by the Secretary of State, to the post office address given in the nomination paper or certification. The county elections official shall post a copy of each county voter information guide in a conspicuous place in his or her office.

(b) In connection with an election at which a candidate for a voter-nominated office will appear on the ballot, a qualified political party may submit to the county elections official a list of all candidates for voter-nominated office who will appear on a ballot in the county in question, and who have been endorsed by the party by whatever lawful mechanism the party adopts for endorsing candidates for voter-nominated office. If a political party timely submits a list to the county elections official pursuant to this subdivision, the county elections official shall print the names of the candidates for voter-nominated office who were endorsed by that political party in the voter information portion of the county voter information guide. The party chairperson shall provide a written copy of the list of candidates endorsed by the party not later than 83 days before the election at which the candidate for a voter-nominated office will appear on the ballot.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 67. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13303.

(a) For each election, each appropriate elections official shall cause to be printed, on plain white paper or tinted paper, without watermark, at least as many copies of the form of ballot provided for use in each voting precinct as there are voters in the precinct. These copies shall be designated “county voter information guide” upon their face and shall include a substantial facsimile of the official ballots used in the election, except as otherwise provided by law. A county voter information guide shall be mailed, postage prepaid, not more than 40 nor less than 21 days before the election to each voter who is registered at least 29 days before the election.

(b) The elections official shall send notice of the polling place to each voter with the county voter information guide. Only official matter shall be sent out with the county voter information guide as provided by law.

(c) The elections official shall send notice of the polling place to each voter who registered after the 29th day before the election and is eligible to participate in the election. The notice shall also include information as to where the voter can obtain a county voter information guide and a state voter information guide before the election, a statement indicating that those documents will be available at the polling place at the time of the election, and the address of the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site and, if applicable, of the county Internet Web site where a county voter information guide may be viewed.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 68. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13304.

The notice of the polling place which is sent to each voter as provided in Section 13303 may, at the option of the local elections official, inform the voter as to whether the polling place is accessible to the physically handicapped. In addition, this notice may inform the voter of his or her rights under Section 14282, if applicable.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 72, Sec. 2. Effective July 19, 2005.)

13305.

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 13300 and 13303, a county elections official may elect not to mail a county voter information guide to a voter if all of the following are satisfied:

(1) The voter is one of the following:

(A) A permanent vote by mail voter pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 3200) of Division 3.

(B) A voter in a mail ballot election conducted pursuant to Division 4 (commencing with Section 4000).

(C) A voter in a precinct in which an election is conducted pursuant to Section 3005.

(2) The county elections official prepares and mails to each voter a state voter information guide. The state voter information guide shall include all of the information required to be included in, and shall be accompanied by all the election materials required to accompany, the county voter information guide, except for both of the following:

(A) An application for a vote by mail ballot.

(B) A notice that a vote by mail ballot application is enclosed.

(3) The voter is furnished with an official ballot pursuant to Section 3005 or 3010.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 13303, for each voter to whom the elections official elects not to mail a county voter information guide pursuant to subdivision (a), the elections official may cause to be printed one less copy of the county voter information guide.

(c) If a county elections official elects not to mail a county voter information guide to a voter pursuant to this section, the elections official shall use any savings achieved to offset the costs associated with establishing a free access system for vote by mail ballots pursuant to Section 3019.5 before the savings may be used for any other purpose.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 69. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13306.

Notwithstanding Sections 13300, 13303, and 13307, county voter information guides and candidates’ statements need not be mailed to voters who registered after the 54th day before an election, but all of these voters shall receive polling place notices and state voter information guides. A state voter information guide is not required to be mailed to a voter who registered after the 29th day before an election. Each of these voters shall receive a notice in bold print that states: “Because you are a late registrant, you are not receiving a county voter information guide or candidates’ statements.”

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 70. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13307.

(a) (1) Each candidate for nonpartisan elective office in any local agency, including any city, county, city and county, or district, may prepare a candidate’s statement on an appropriate form provided by the elections official. The statement may include the name, age, and occupation of the candidate and a brief description, of no more than 200 words, of the candidate’s education and qualifications expressed by the candidate himself or herself. However, the governing body of the local agency may authorize an increase in the limitations on words for the statement from 200 to 400 words. The statement shall not include the party affiliation of the candidate, nor membership or activity in partisan political organizations.

(2) The statement authorized by this subdivision shall be filed in the office of the elections official when the candidate’s nomination papers are returned for filing, if it is for a primary election, or for an election for offices for which there is no primary. The statement shall be filed in the office of the elections official no later than the 88th day before the election, if it is for an election for which nomination papers are not required to be filed. If a runoff election or general election occurs within 88 days of the primary or first election, the statement shall be filed with the elections official by the third day following the governing body’s declaration of the results from the primary or first election.

(3) Except as provided in Section 13309, the statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the period for filing nomination papers and until 5 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period.

(b) (1) The elections official shall send to each voter a county voter information guide that contains the written statements of each candidate that is prepared pursuant to subdivision (a). The statement of each candidate shall be printed in type of uniform size and darkness, and with uniform spacing.

(2) The elections official shall provide a Spanish translation to those candidates who wish to have one, and shall select a person to provide that translation who is one of the following:

(A) A certified and registered interpreter on the Judicial Council Master List.

(B) An interpreter categorized as “certified” or “professionally qualified” by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

(C) From an institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education.

(D) A current voting member in good standing of the American Translators Association.

(E) A current member in good standing of the American Association of Language Specialists.

(c) (1) In addition to the statement prepared pursuant to subdivision (a), if the elections official who is conducting the election permits electronic distribution of a candidate’s statement, the governing body of a local agency may permit each candidate for nonpartisan elective office in the local agency to prepare a candidate's statement for the purpose of electronic distribution pursuant to this subdivision.

(2) A statement prepared pursuant to this subdivision shall be posted on the Internet Web site of the elections official, and may be included in a voter's pamphlet that is electronically distributed by the elections official pursuant to Section 13300.7, but shall not be included in a voter's pamphlet that is printed and mailed to voters pursuant to subdivision (b).

(3) A statement that is printed in the voter's pamphlet and mailed to voters pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be included with the statement that is prepared and electronically distributed pursuant to this subdivision.

(4) A statement that is prepared and electronically distributed pursuant to this subdivision shall be displayed in type of uniform size and darkness, and with uniform spacing.

(5) The elections official shall provide a Spanish translation to those candidates who wish to have one, and shall select a person to provide that translation who is one of the persons listed in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).

(d) The local agency may estimate the total cost of printing, handling, translating, mailing, and electronically distributing candidate’s statements filed pursuant to this section, including costs incurred as a result of complying with the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. The local agency may require each candidate filing a statement to pay in advance to the local agency his or her estimated pro rata share as a condition of having his or her statement included in the county voter information guide or electronically distributed. In the event the estimated payment is required, the receipt for the payment shall include a written notice that the estimate is just an approximation of the actual cost that varies from one election to another election and may be significantly more or less than the estimate, depending on the actual number of candidates filing statements. Accordingly, the local agency is not bound by the estimate and may, on a pro rata basis, bill the candidate for additional actual expense or refund any excess paid depending on the final actual cost. In the event of underpayment, the local agency may require the candidate to pay the balance of the cost incurred. In the event of overpayment, the local agency that, or the elections official who, collected the estimated cost shall prorate the excess amount among the candidates and refund the excess amount paid within 30 days of the election.

(e) This section shall not be deemed to make any statement, or the authors of any statement, free or exempt from any civil or criminal action or penalty because of any false, slanderous, or libelous statements offered for printing electronic distribution pursuant to this section or contained in the county voter information guide.

(f) Before the nominating period opens, the local agency for that election shall determine whether a charge shall be levied against that candidate for the candidate’s statement sent to each voter and, if authorized pursuant to subdivision (c), for the electronically distributed candidate’s statement. This decision shall not be revoked or modified after the seventh day before the opening of the nominating period. A written statement of the regulations with respect to charges for handling, packaging, mailing, and electronic distribution shall be provided to each candidate or his or her representative, at the time he or she picks up the nomination papers.

(g) For purposes of this section and Section 13310, the board of supervisors is the governing body of judicial elections.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 71.5. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13307.5.

A candidate for United States Representative may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the county voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement shall not refer to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in this code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 72. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13308.

In addition to the restrictions set forth in Section 13307, any candidate’s statement submitted pursuant to Section 13307 shall be limited to a recitation of the candidate’s own personal background and qualifications, and shall not in any way make reference to other candidates for that office or to another candidate’s qualifications, character, or activities. The elections official shall not cause to be printed, posted on an Internet Web site, or circulated any statement that the elections official determines is not so limited or that includes any reference prohibited by this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 128, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13309.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 13307, if a candidate alleges to be indigent and unable to pay in advance the requisite fee for submitting a candidate statement, the candidate shall submit to the local agency a statement of financial worth to be used in determining whether or not he or she is eligible to submit a candidate statement without payment of the fee in advance.

(b) The statement of financial worth required by this section shall be submitted by the candidate together with his or her candidate statement in accordance with the deadline specified in Section 13307. The statement of financial worth form shall be furnished by the local agency, and may include questions relating to the candidate’s employer, income, real estate holdings, tangible personal property, and financial obligations. The candidate shall certify the content of the statement as to its truth and correctness under penalty of perjury. The candidate shall also sign a release form of the candidate’s most recent federal income tax report.

(c) Upon receipt of a statement of financial worth, a determination shall be made by the local agency of whether or not the candidate is indigent. The local agency shall notify the candidate of its findings.

(d) If it is determined that the candidate is not indigent, the candidate shall, within three days of the notification, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, withdraw the statement or pay the requisite fee. If the candidate fails to respond within the time prescribed, the local agency shall not be obligated to print and mail the statement.

(e) If the local agency determines that the candidate is indigent, the local agency shall print and mail the statement.

(f) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the local agency from billing the candidate his or her actual pro rata share of the cost after the election.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 560, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2014.)

13310.

Prior to the nomination period for an election, the governing body of the local agency conducting the election may determine that Section 13307 is inapplicable to that election. This section shall become operative only if the United States Supreme Court or the California Supreme Court rules that candidates (other than indigent candidates) may not be required to pay for candidates’ statements authorized pursuant to Section 13307.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2. Section conditionally operative by its own provisions.)

13311.

Notwithstanding the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code), the statements filed pursuant to Section 13307 shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

13312.

(a) Each county voter information guide prepared pursuant to subdivision (b) Section 13307 shall contain a notice in the heading of the first page, not smaller than 10-point type, that specifies both of the following:

(1) That the county voter information guide does not contain a complete list of candidates and that a complete list of candidates appears on the sample ballot (if any candidate is not listed in the county voter information guide).

(2) That each candidate’s statement in the county voter information guide is volunteered by the candidate and (if printed at the candidate’s expense) is printed at his or her expense.

(b) If a local agency has authorized each candidate for nonpartisan elective office to prepare a candidate’s statement for the purpose of electronic distribution pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13307, and if a candidate has submitted a statement for that purpose, the notice required by subdivision (a) shall specify that additional statements are available on the Internet Web site of the elections official and shall include the Internet Web site address at which the statements may be viewed.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 73.5. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13313.

(a) The elections official shall make a copy of the material referred to in Section 13307 available for public examination in the elections official’s office for a period of 10 calendar days immediately following the filing deadline for submission of those documents. Any person may obtain a copy of the candidate’s statements from the elections official for use outside of the elections official’s office. The elections official may charge a fee to any person obtaining a copy of the material, and the fee may not exceed the actual cost incurred by the elections official in providing the copy.

(b) (1) During the 10-calendar-day public examination period provided by this section, any voter of the jurisdiction in which the election is being held, or the elections official, himself or herself, may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the material in the candidates statements to be amended or deleted. The writ of mandate or injunction request shall be filed no later than the end of the 10-calendar-day public examination period.

(2) A peremptory writ of mandate or an injunction shall issue only upon clear and convincing proof that the material in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter, and that issuance of the writ or injunction will not substantially interfere with the printing or distribution of official election materials as provided by law.

(3) The elections official shall be named as respondent and the candidate who authored the material in question shall be named as the real party in interest. In the case of the elections official bringing the mandamus or injunctive action pursuant to this subdivision, the board of supervisors of the county shall be named as the respondent and the candidate who authored the material in question shall be named as the real party in interest.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 228, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2003.)

13314.

(a) (1) An elector may seek a writ of mandate alleging that an error or omission has occurred, or is about to occur, in the placing of a name on, or in the printing of, a ballot, county voter information guide, state voter information guide, or other official matter, or that any neglect of duty has occurred, or is about to occur.

(2) A peremptory writ of mandate shall issue only upon proof of both of the following:

(A) That the error, omission, or neglect is in violation of this code or the Constitution.

(B) That issuance of the writ will not substantially interfere with the conduct of the election.

(3) The action or appeal shall have priority over all other civil matters.

(4) The Secretary of State shall be named as a respondent or a real party in interest in any proceeding under this section concerning a measure or a candidate described in Section 15375, except for a candidate for judge of the superior court.

(b) Venue for a proceeding under this section shall be exclusively in Sacramento County in any of the following cases:

(1) The Secretary of State is named as a real party in interest or as a respondent.

(2) A candidate for statewide elective office is named as a party.

(3) A statewide measure that is to be placed on the ballot is the subject of the proceeding.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 74. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13315.

The officer charged with the duty of providing county voter information guides for an election at which vote by mail voter ballots may be cast shall cause to be printed on the envelope containing the county voter information guide in heavy-faced gothic type, not smaller than 12-point, the following:

Notice: Vote By Mail Ballot Application Enclosed.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 75. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13316.

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a county, city, city and county, or district using voting machines may use reasonable facsimiles of the county voter information guides sent to the voters of the local jurisdiction as vote by mail ballots.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 76. Effective January 1, 2017.)

13317.

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a county, city, city and county, or district using vote tabulating devices may use reasonable facsimiles of the county voter information guides sent to the voters of the local jurisdiction as vote by mail ballots.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 77. Effective January 1, 2017.)

CHAPTER 1. Privileges of Voters [14000 - 14003]

14000.

(a) If a voter does not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote at a statewide election, the voter may, without loss of pay, take off enough working time that, when added to the voting time available outside of working hours, will enable the voter to vote.

(b) No more than two hours of the time taken off for voting shall be without loss of pay. The time off for voting shall be only at the beginning or end of the regular working shift, whichever allows the most free time for voting and the least time off from the regular working shift, unless otherwise mutually agreed.

(c) If the employee on the third working day prior to the day of election, knows or has reason to believe that time off will be necessary to be able to vote on election day, the employee shall give the employer at least two working days’ notice that time off for voting is desired, in accordance with this section.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

14001.

Not less than 10 days before every statewide election, every employer shall keep posted conspicuously at the place of work, if practicable, or elsewhere where it can be seen as employees come or go to their place of work, a notice setting forth the provisions of Section 14000.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

14002.

Sections 14000 and 14001 shall apply to all public agencies and the employees thereof, as well as to employers and employees in private industry.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

14003.

Except in time of war or public danger, no voter is obliged to perform militia duty on any election day.

(Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

CHAPTER 1.5. Rights of Voters [14025 - 14032]

14025.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 129, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

14026.

As used in this chapter:

(a) “At-large method of election” means any of the following methods of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision:

(1) One in which the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.

(2) One in which the candidates are required to reside within given areas of the jurisdiction and the voters of the entire jurisdiction elect the members to the governing body.

(3) One that combines at-large elections with district-based elections.

(b) “District-based elections” means a method of electing members to the governing body of a political subdivision in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the political subdivision and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.

(c) “Political subdivision” means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a general law city, general law county, charter city, charter county, charter city and county, school district, community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.

(d) “Protected class” means a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group, as this class is referenced and defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.).

(e) “Racially polarized voting” means voting in which there is a difference, as defined in case law regarding enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.), in the choice of candidates or other electoral choices that are preferred by voters in a protected class, and in the choice of candidates and electoral choices that are preferred by voters in the rest of the electorate. The methodologies for estimating group voting behavior as approved in applicable federal cases to enforce the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.) to establish racially polarized voting may be used for purposes of this section to prove that elections are characterized by racially polarized voting.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 121. Effective January 1, 2017.)

14027.

An at-large method of election may not be imposed or applied in a manner that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election, as a result of the dilution or the abridgment of the rights of voters who are members of a protected class, as defined pursuant to Section 14026.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 129, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

14028.

(a) A violation of Section 14027 is established if it is shown that racially polarized voting occurs in elections for members of the governing body of the political subdivision or in elections incorporating other electoral choices by the voters of the political subdivision. Elections conducted prior to the filing of an action pursuant to Section 14027 and this section are more probative to establish the existence of racially polarized voting than elections conducted after the filing of the action.

(b) The occurrence of racially polarized voting shall be determined from examining results of elections in which at least one candidate is a member of a protected class or elections involving ballot measures, or other electoral choices that affect the rights and privileges of members of a protected class. One circumstance that may be considered in determining a violation of Section 14027 and this section is the extent to which candidates who are members of a protected class and who are preferred by voters of the protected class, as determined by an analysis of voting behavior, have been elected to the governing body of a political subdivision that is the subject of an action based on Section 14027 and this section. In multiseat at-large election districts, where the number of candidates who are members of a protected class is fewer than the number of seats available, the relative groupwide support received by candidates from members of a protected class shall be the basis for the racial polarization analysis.

(c) The fact that members of a protected class are not geographically compact or concentrated may not preclude a finding of racially polarized voting, or a violation of Section 14027 and this section, but may be a factor in determining an appropriate remedy.

(d) Proof of an intent on the part of the voters or elected officials to discriminate against a protected class is not required.

(e) Other factors such as the history of discrimination, the use of electoral devices or other voting practices or procedures that may enhance the dilutive effects of at-large elections, denial of access to those processes determining which groups of candidates will receive financial or other support in a given election, the extent to which members of a protected class bear the effects of past discrimination in areas such as education, employment, and health, which hinder their ability to participate effectively in the political process, and the use of overt or subtle racial appeals in political campaigns are probative, but not necessary factors to establish a violation of Section 14027 and this section.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 129, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

14029.

Upon a finding of a violation of Section 14027 and Section 14028, the court shall implement appropriate remedies, including the imposition of district-based elections, that are tailored to remedy the violation.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 129, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

14030.

In any action to enforce Section 14027 and Section 14028, the court shall allow the prevailing plaintiff party, other than the state or political subdivision thereof, a reasonable attorney’s fee consistent with the standards established in Serrano v. Priest (1977) 20 Cal.3d 25, 48-49, and litigation expenses including, but not limited to, expert witness fees and expenses as part of the costs. Prevailing defendant parties shall not recover any costs, unless the court finds the action to be frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 129, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

14031.

This chapter is enacted to implement the guarantees of Section 7 of Article I and of Section 2 of Article II of the California Constitution.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 129, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

14032.

Any voter who is a member of a protected class and who resides in a political subdivision where a violation of Sections 14027 and 14028 is alleged may file an action pursuant to those sections in the superior court of the county in which the political subdivision is located.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 129, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

CHAPTER 1.7. Voter Participation [14050 - 14057]

14050.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the California Voter Participation Rights Act.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 235, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2018, pursuant to Section 14057.)

14051.

As used in this chapter:

(a) “Political subdivision” means a geographic area of representation created for the provision of government services, including, but not limited to, a city, a school district, a community college district, or other district organized pursuant to state law.

(b) “Significant decrease in voter turnout” means the voter turnout for a regularly scheduled election in a political subdivision is at least 25 percent less than the average voter turnout within that political subdivision for the previous four statewide general elections.

(c) “Voter turnout” means the percentage of voters who are eligible to cast ballots within a given political subdivision who voted.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 235, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2018, pursuant to Section 14057.)

14052.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a political subdivision shall not hold an election other than on a statewide election date if holding an election on a nonconcurrent date has previously resulted in a significant decrease in voter turnout.

(b) A political subdivision may hold an election other than on a statewide election date if, by January 1, 2018, the political subdivision has adopted a plan to consolidate a future election with a statewide election not later than the November 8, 2022, statewide general election.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 235, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2018, pursuant to Section 14057.)

14053.

Upon a finding of a violation of subdivision (a) of Section 14052, the court shall implement appropriate remedies, including the imposition of concurrent election dates for future elections and the upgrade of voting equipment or systems to do so. In imposing remedies pursuant to this section, a court may also require a county board of supervisors to approve consolidation pursuant to Section 10402.5.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 235, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2018, pursuant to Section 14057.)

14054.

In an action to enforce subdivision (a) of Section 14052, the court shall allow the prevailing plaintiff other than the state or political subdivision of the state, a reasonable attorney’s fee consistent with the standards established in Serrano v. Priest (1977) 20 Cal.3d 25, 48-49, and litigation expenses including, but not limited to, expert witness fees and expenses as part of the costs. A prevailing defendant shall not recover any costs, unless the court finds the action to be frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 235, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2018, pursuant to Section 14057.)