citation: ELEC § 13307

text:
(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 own education and qualifications expressed by the candidate. 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(3) Except as provided in Section 13309, the statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the period for filing nomination papers and until 5 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period.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 or the county elections official who is conducting a local agency’s election, including a local election that is consolidated with the county election, permits electronic distribution of a candidate’s statement, each candidate for nonpartisan elective office in the local agency may 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 website 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 the candidate’s estimated pro rata share as a condition of having the candidate’s 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 each candidate’s representative, at the time they pick up the nomination papers.

(g) For purposes of this section and Section 13310, the board of supervisors is the governing body of judicial elections.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 120, Sec. 2. (AB 3197) Effective January 1, 2025.)


kind: section

code: ELEC

text: 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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 72. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

path: 13. BALLOTS, SAMPLE BALLOTS, AND VOTER PAMPHLETS > 4. State and County Voter Information Guides


text:
(a) An elections official shall post the form to be used by a candidate to submit a candidate statement pursuant to Section 13307, Section 13307.5, or subdivision (c) of Section 85601 of the Government Code, on the elections official’s internet website, and shall accept the electronic submission of that form if it is submitted in accordance with the times and procedures set forth in this code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the county voter information guide. If the candidate is running in a multicounty district, the elections official of each county shall accept the electronic submission of the form from the candidate’s county of residence; however, the candidate shall transmit a hard copy of the candidate statement form, any accompanying form, and payment of the requisite fee to each county by overnight mail within 72 hours of filing the statement electronically. The elections official shall not require the candidate to submit any additional forms as a means of correcting internet website posting errors made by the elections official.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an elections official may require a candidate to provide additional information that the official needs to comply with state law and county voter information guide requirements.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 664, Sec. 2. (AB 773) Effective October 10, 2023.)

division: 13. BALLOTS, SAMPLE BALLOTS, AND VOTER PAMPHLETS

chapter: 4. State and County Voter Information Guides


citation: ELEC § 13308

text: 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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 128, Sec. 2. (AB 2010) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: ELEC § 13309

text:
(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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 560, Sec. 11. (AB 1417) Effective January 1, 2014.)


citation: ELEC § 13310

text: 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.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2. Section conditionally operative by its own provisions.)


citation: ELEC § 13311

text: Notwithstanding the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the statements filed pursuant to Section 13307 shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 99. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)


citation: ELEC § 13312

text:
(a) Each county voter information guide prepared pursuant to subdivision (b) of 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 the candidate’s 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 website of the elections official and shall include the internet website address at which the statements may be viewed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 131, Sec. 56. (AB 1754) Effective January 1, 2024.)


citation: ELEC § 13313

text:
(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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 228, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2003.)


citation: ELEC § 13314

text:
(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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 74. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: ELEC § 13316

text: 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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 76. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: ELEC § 13317

text: 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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 77. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: ELEC § 13400

text:
(a) A vote by mail voter may request that a facsimile copy of his or her ballot in the language of his or her preference be sent to him or her by regular mail or electronic mail if the voter lives in a precinct that requires a facsimile copy of the ballot in that language pursuant to Section 14201. The county elections officer shall provide instructions to vote by mail voters in the county voter information guide and on the county elections Internet Web site on how to request a facsimile copy of a ballot, in all languages that the county is required to provide facsimile copies of ballots. A vote by mail voter may request a facsimile copy of a ballot by telephone, mail, online, or when requesting a vote by mail ballot from the county no later than seven days before election day.

(b) The county elections official shall prepare the requested facsimile copies described in subdivision (a) no later than 10 days before election day. Requests received by the county elections official 10 days or more before election day shall be processed by the 10th day prior to election day.

(c) This section does not limit an elections official from distributing facsimile copies of the ballot more widely than as required by subdivision (a) or earlier than required by subdivision (b).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 845, Sec. 7. (AB 918) Effective January 1, 2018.)

chapter: 5. Facsimile Copies of Ballots

path: 13. BALLOTS, SAMPLE BALLOTS, AND VOTER PAMPHLETS > 5. Facsimile Copies of Ballots


citation: ELEC § 13500

text: This chapter applies only to partisan primary elections.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 819, Sec. 1. (AB 837) Effective January 1, 2018.)

chapter: 6. Partisan Primary Elections

path: 13. BALLOTS, SAMPLE BALLOTS, AND VOTER PAMPHLETS > 6. Partisan Primary Elections


citation: ELEC § 13501

text:
(a) The Secretary of State shall include in the state voter information guide the information specified in subdivision (a) of Section 9083.5, including a statement explaining that a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may not vote in a political party’s primary election unless the political party has authorized a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in its primary election.

(b) The Secretary of State shall make all of the following information available on the Secretary of State’s Internet Web site:

(1) A statement that a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may vote in a political party’s partisan primary election if the political party, by party rule duly noticed to the Secretary of State, authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the next ensuing partisan primary election.

(2) The name of each political party that authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the partisan primary election.

(3) A statement that a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may request the ballot of one of the political parties that authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the partisan primary election.

(c) A county elections official shall include all of the information described in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (b) in the nonpartisan county voter information guide prepared pursuant to Section 13300 and shall make the information available on the official’s Internet Web site. In addition, the county elections official shall send an email to the email address of a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference notifying the voter that he or she may request a political party’s ballot at the next ensuing partisan primary election if the political party has so authorized. The county elections official shall also provide the notice to a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference by text message if the voter has provided written consent to receive text messages from the county elections official.


citation: ELEC § 13502

text:
(a) With each nonpartisan vote by mail ballot that is sent to a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference, the county elections official shall include a notice informing the voter that the voter may request a political party’s ballot at the next ensuing partisan primary election if the political party has so authorized.

(b) Prior to each partisan primary election, county elections officials shall mail to every voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference a notice and application regarding voting in the primary election.

(1) The notice shall inform the voter that the voter 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 election. 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.

(2) The application shall contain a list of political parties that have authorized a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote that party’s ballot, and next to each party’s name, a box to mark indicating that the voter wishes to vote that party’s ballot. The application shall also require the voter to provide personal identifying information that matches the information contained on the voter’s affidavit of registration, including their first and last names, home address, and date of birth, and shall require the voter to sign the application. The notice or application shall instruct the voter that they may request a vote by mail ballot for the party they select by submitting the completed application to the appropriate county elections official in person, by mail, email, or facsimile transmission, or by other electronic means made available by the county elections official.

(c) In addition to the method specified in subdivision (b) and any other method permitted by law, a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may request the ballot of a political party that has authorized a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in its partisan primary election as described in this subdivision. A voter requesting a ballot pursuant to this subdivision shall provide identifying information that matches the information contained on the voter’s affidavit of registration, including their date of birth, home address, and first and last names. If requesting a ballot pursuant to paragraph (3), the voter must also provide their signature. The voter may request a ballot as follows:

(1) By telephone subject to the following conditions:

(A) A person shall not request a party’s ballot pursuant to this section using the name of, or on behalf of, another person.

(B) Prior to being asked for personal identifying information, a voter requesting a party’s ballot pursuant to this section shall be advised as follows: “Only the registered voter themself may request a ballot from a political party. A request for a party’s ballot that is made by any person other than the voter is a criminal offense.”

(C) The voter’s signature shall not be required.

(2) On an application over the internet if available. The voter’s signature shall not be required.

(3) By a written statement application submitted in person, or by mail, email, or facsimile transmission.

(4) By text message to the appropriate elections official, if the county has established a system for processing such a request. The voter’s signature shall not be required.

(d) A voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference and who has received a nonpartisan vote by mail ballot may return their unvoted ballot to the county elections official and request and receive a vote by mail ballot, or appear to vote in person and receive a ballot, for a political party if the political party has authorized a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in its partisan primary election.

(e) The Secretary of State shall prepare and distribute to county elections officials a uniform application format for a voter to request a political party’s ballot at the next ensuing partisan primary election if the political party has so authorized.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 646, Sec. 1. (AB 292) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text:
(a) This section applies to a nonpartisan ballot provided to a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference for use in voting in a presidential primary election.

(b) (1) A notice shall be printed on the ballot, in substantially the following form, that advises the voter of at least the following information:

(A) You are registered as a No Party Preference voter and therefore ineligible to vote for a presidential candidate unless you request and vote a partisan ballot.

(B) The following parties allow a No Party Preference voter to vote in their presidential primaries: [list of parties]. You may request a ballot to vote in one of these primaries from your county elections official.

(2) The notice printed on the ballot shall also advise the voter that they may find the additional information described in subdivision (c) in the voter information guide or on the county elections official’s internet website.

(c) The notice printed on the ballot may advise the voter of additional information, including the following:

(1) A list of means available in the county for the voter to request a partisan ballot.

(2) A statement that if the voter wishes to vote in the presidential primary of a party that does not permit a No Party Preference voter to vote, the voter must update their voter registration and request the ballot of that party.

(3) A list of means available in the county for the voter to request a remote accessible vote by mail ballot, in case the voter is unable to request and receive a partisan ballot in time to return it for an upcoming election.

(4) A description of the county’s procedures for accepting and processing a remote accessible vote by mail ballot.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 80, Sec. 41. (SB 1525) Effective January 1, 2025.)


citation: ELEC § 13600

text: The Secretary of State, in consultation with county elections officials, shall develop uniform standards and guidelines for a voter to correct mistakes made on the voter’s ballot. The Secretary of State may adopt appropriate regulations for the purpose of ensuring uniform application of the standards and guidelines.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 289, Sec. 1. (AB 1072) Effective January 1, 2026.)

chapter: 7. Ballot Mistakes

path: 13. BALLOTS, SAMPLE BALLOTS, AND VOTER PAMPHLETS > 7. Ballot Mistakes


citation: ELEC § 14000

text:
(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.

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

division: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES

chapter: 1. Privileges of Voters

path: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES > 1. Privileges of Voters


citation: ELEC § 14001

text: 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.


citation: ELEC § 14002

text: Sections 14000, 14001, and 14004 shall apply to all public agencies and the employees thereof, as well as to employers and employees in private industry.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 223, Sec. 2. (AB 17) Effective January 1, 2020.)


citation: ELEC § 14003

text: Except in time of war or public danger, no voter is obliged to perform militia duty on any election day.


citation: ELEC § 14004

text:
(a) An employer shall not require or request that an employee bring the employee’s vote by mail ballot to work or vote the employee’s vote by mail ballot at work.

(b) This section does not prohibit an employer from encouraging an employee to vote.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 223, Sec. 3. (AB 17) Effective January 1, 2020.)


citation: ELEC § 14025

text: This act shall be known and may be cited as the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 129, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)

chapter: 1.5. Rights of Voters

path: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES > 1.5. Rights of Voters


citation: ELEC § 14026

text:
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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 121. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: ELEC § 14027

text: 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.


citation: ELEC § 14028

text:
(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.


citation: ELEC § 14029

text: 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.


citation: ELEC § 14030

text: 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.


citation: ELEC § 14031

text: 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.


citation: ELEC § 14032

text: 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.


citation: ELEC § 14050

text: This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the California Voter Participation Rights Act.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 235, Sec. 1. (SB 415) Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2018, pursuant to Section 14057.)

chapter: 1.7. Voter Participation

path: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES > 1.7. Voter Participation


citation: ELEC § 14051

text:
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.


citation: ELEC § 14052

text:
(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.


citation: ELEC § 14053

text: 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.


citation: ELEC § 14054

text: 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.


citation: ELEC § 14055

text: A voter who resides in a political subdivision where a violation of subdivision (a) of Section 14052 is alleged may file an action pursuant to that section in the superior court of the county in which the political subdivision is located.


citation: ELEC § 14056

text: This chapter does not apply to special elections.


citation: ELEC § 14057

text: This chapter shall become operative on January 1, 2018.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 235, Sec. 1. (SB 415) Effective January 1, 2016. Note: This section postpones, until January 1, 2018, the operation of Chapter 1.7, commencing with Section 14050.)


citation: ELEC § 14100

text: The county elections official, in providing the materials required by this division, shall not be required to utilize the services of the county purchasing agent.

chapter: 2. Precinct Supplies

path: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES > 2. Precinct Supplies


citation: ELEC § 14101

text:
(a) On or before the first day of January of each even-numbered year, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General shall prepare a brief digest containing the substance of those provisions of this code and of other statutes that pertain to the duties of precinct officers during the casting and the canvassing of the vote. This digest shall contain in each case a reference to the section of this code or other statute, by reference to which further examination of its provisions may be made.

(b) Immediately upon the completion of the digest set forth in subdivision (a), the Secretary of State shall send a copy to each county elections official.


citation: ELEC § 14102

text:
(a) (1) For each statewide election, the elections official shall provide a sufficient number of official ballots in each precinct to reasonably meet the needs of the voters in that precinct on election day using the precinct’s voter turnout history as the criterion, but in no case shall this number be less than 75 percent of registered voters in the precinct, and for vote by mail and emergency purposes shall provide the additional number of ballots that may be necessary.

(2) The number of party ballots to be furnished to any precinct for a primary election shall be computed from the number of voters registered in that precinct as intending to affiliate with a party, and the number of nonpartisan ballots to be furnished to any precinct shall be computed from the number of voters registered in that precinct without statement of intention to affiliate with any of the parties participating in the primary election.

(b) For all other elections, the elections official shall provide a sufficient number of official ballots in each precinct to reasonably meet the needs of the voters in that precinct on election day, using the precinct’s voter turnout history as the criterion, but in no case shall this number be less than 75 percent of the number of registered voters in the precinct, and for vote by mail and emergency purposes shall provide the additional number of ballots that may be necessary.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), in elections conducted using voter centers, the elections official shall provide sufficient materials for voting.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 44. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)


citation: ELEC § 14103

text:
(a) Before the opening of the polls at any election, the elections official shall cause to be delivered to the precinct board in each precinct in which the election is to be held, the proper number of ballots of the kinds to be used in that precinct. The ballots shall be delivered in sealed packages with marks on the outside clearly designating the precinct or polling place for which they are intended, and the number of ballots enclosed.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in elections conducted using vote centers, ballots or ballot stock shall be delivered in sealed packages indicating the number of ballots or the amount of ballot stock enclosed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 45. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)


citation: ELEC § 14104

text: The elections official shall prepare a receipt for each polling place, enumerating the packages and stating the date of delivery to the precinct board member. The precinct board member shall sign the receipt upon receipt of the packages. The signed receipt shall be returned to the elections official. Messengers may be employed to insure the safe and expeditious delivery of the ballots. The elections official shall fix a reasonable compensation for the services of these messengers, to be paid in the same manner as other election expenses.


citation: ELEC § 14105

text:
The elections official shall furnish to each polling place all of the following:

(a) At least one accessible copy of the voter list.

(b) Necessary printed blanks for the roster, tally sheets, voter list, declarations, and returns.

(c) Not fewer than 6 nor more than 12 instruction cards to each polling place for the guidance of voters in obtaining and marking their ballots. On each card shall be printed necessary instructions and the provisions of Sections 14225, 14279, 14280, 14287, 14291, 14295, 15271, 15272, 15273, 15276, 15277, 15278, 18370, 18380, 18403, 18563, and 18569.

(d) A digest of the election laws with any further instructions the county elections official may desire to make.

(e) An American flag of sufficient size to adequately assist the voter in identifying the polling place. The flag is to be erected at or near the polling place.

(f) A ballot container, properly marked on the outside indicating its contents. If it is necessary to supply additional ballot containers, these additional containers shall also be marked on the outside indicating their contents.

(g) At least one copy of the certified write-in list, if applicable.

(h) A sufficient number of cards to each polling place containing the telephone number of the office to which a voter may call to obtain information about the voter’s polling place. The card shall state that the voter may call collect during polling hours.

(i) An identifying badge or insignia for each member of the precinct board. The member shall print the member’s name on the badge or insignia, and shall wear the badge or insignia at all times in the performance of duties, so as to be readily identified as a member of the precinct board by all persons entering the polling place.

(j) Facsimile copies of the ballot containing ballot measures and ballot instructions printed in Spanish or other languages as provided in Section 14201.

(k) Sufficient copies of the notices to be posted on the voter list used at the polls. The notice shall read as follows: “This voter list shall not be marked in any manner except by a member of the precinct board acting pursuant to Section 14297. Any person who removes, tears, marks, or otherwise defaces this voter list with the intent to falsify or prevent others from readily ascertaining the name, address, or political affiliation of any voter, or the fact that a voter has or has not voted, is guilty of a misdemeanor.”

(l) A roster for each polling place in the form prescribed in Section 14107.

(m) Printed copies of the Voter Bill of Rights, as supplied by the Secretary of State. The Voter Bill of Rights shall be conspicuously posted both inside and outside every polling place.

(n) For a partisan primary election, printed copies of the posters or other materials described in Section 14105.2. The posters or other materials shall be conspicuously posted both inside and outside every polling place.

(o) Handheld magnifying glasses, displayed and available at the table or desk used by the precinct board.

(p) A signature guide card, to assist persons while signing their names on the roster, displayed and available at the table or desk used by the precinct board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 658, Sec. 1. (AB 545) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text: In addition to the materials identified in Section 14105, the elections official shall furnish to the polling place printed copies of the notices specified in Section 9083.5, as supplied by the Secretary of State. The notices shall be conspicuously posted both inside and outside every polling place.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 47. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text:
(a) For a partisan primary election, the Secretary of State shall prepare and print posters or other materials that contain all of the following information:

(1) A statement that a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may vote in a political party’s partisan primary election if the political party, by party rule duly noticed to the Secretary of State, authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the next ensuing partisan primary election.

(2) The name of each political party that authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the partisan primary election.

(3) A statement that a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference may request the ballot of one of the political parties that authorizes a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in the partisan primary election.

(b) The Secretary of State shall supply the posters or other materials described in subdivision (a) to each elections official who shall furnish the materials to the precinct officers pursuant to Section 14105.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 819, Sec. 3. (AB 837) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text:
(a) The federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.) requires voting information to be publicly posted at each polling place for each election for federal office. Voting information is defined as including general information on voting rights under applicable federal and state laws, including information on the right of an individual to cast a provisional ballot and instructions on how to contact the appropriate officials if these rights are alleged to have been violated.

(b) The Secretary of State shall print posters and other appropriate materials setting forth the voter rights listed in Section 2300. The posters shall be printed in as many languages as the Secretary of State determines are necessary, but, at a minimum, in sufficient languages to comply with Section 14201 and with the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10301 et seq.). The Secretary of State shall distribute the posters and materials to all county elections officials sufficiently in advance of statewide elections.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 48. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text: Members of the precinct board shall not display, distribute, or make available at the polling place any materials other than those required pursuant to this division without the express approval of the county elections official.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1189, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 1995.)


citation: ELEC § 14106

text: In addition to the materials required by Section 14105, the elections official shall provide signs, or materials for making signs, advising voters that an election has been canceled pursuant to Section 8026 due to the death of the candidate-incumbent and that a special election will be held to fill the vacancy.


citation: ELEC § 14107

text:
(a) The roster to be kept by each precinct board shall contain all of the following:

(1) Space for the voter’s signature.

(2) The residence address of the voter.

(3) At the heading of each page or signature area, the following words: “WARNING: It is a crime punishable by imprisonment in the state prison or in county jail for anyone to fraudulently vote, fraudulently attempt to vote, vote more than once, attempt to vote more than one, impersonate a voter, or attempt to impersonate a voter (Sec. 18560, Elections Code).”

(4) Immediately below the final signature on the roster, the following statements:

(A) We hereby certify that all voters whose signatures appear hereinbefore in this roster voted this day excepting the following who, after signing the roster, failed to vote or were challenged and denied the right to vote.No.NameNo.Name(B) We further certify that the number of voters who voted in this precinct at this election is ____, and that the above list of voters, less those who did not vote as enumerated, constitutes the roster of this precinct for this election.

We further certify that the total number of official ballots received, voted, rejected, spoiled and canceled, found in the ballot container and the number accounted for is as indicated on the ballot statement.

We further certify that the assisted voters list and challenge list show a complete list of all voters assisted or challenged.ClerkClerkClerkInspectorAll members of the precinct board shall sign this certificate.

(b) When votes are counted at the precinct, all members of the board shall also sign the certificate of performance prescribed in Section 15280.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 49. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)


citation: ELEC § 14109

text: Notwithstanding Sections 14105 and 14107, the roster to be kept by each precinct board may be in a form of an index to the affidavits of registration for that precinct, in which case the index shall provide space of sufficient size to allow each voter to sign his or her name pursuant to Section 14216.


citation: ELEC § 14110

text:
All officers required by law to designate polling places shall furnish the polling places with a sufficient number of places, booths, or compartments, at or in which voters may conveniently mark their ballots, so that they may be screened from the observation of others. Each place, compartment, or booth shall be so adjusted as to conceal from any observation the voter’s marking of the ballot. The number of voting booths or compartments shall be determined by the officer conducting the election.

This section shall become operative on January 1, 1990.


citation: ELEC § 14111

text:
Translations of the ballot measures and ballot instructions, as required by Section 14201, shall be provided by a person selected by the elections official 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.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 144, Sec. 2. (SB 366) Effective January 1, 2016.)


citation: ELEC § 14112

text: All voting equipment shall be transferred to the polling places in charge of an authorized official, who shall certify to their delivery in good order.


citation: ELEC § 14113

text: The containers of the ballots furnished to the polling places shall provide adequate protection for the ballots during storage and upon removing the ballots.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 50. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)


citation: ELEC § 14200

text:
A member of each precinct board shall cause the following voting information to be publicly posted at each polling place:

(a) A sample version of the ballot that will be used for the election.

(b) Information regarding the date of the election and the hours during which polling places will be open.

(c) Instructions on how to vote, including how to cast a vote and how to cast a provisional ballot.

(d) Instructions for mail-in registrants and first-time voters under Section 303(b) of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 20901 et seq.).

(e) General information on voting rights under applicable federal and state laws, including information on the right of an individual to cast a provisional ballot and instructions on how to contact the appropriate officials if these rights are alleged to have been violated.

(f) General information on federal and state laws regarding prohibitions on acts of fraud and misrepresentation as they pertain to elections.

(g) Information regarding the languages other than English in which members of the precinct board can assist voters. The information shall be provided in all of the languages other than English spoken by the members.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 845, Sec. 8.5. (AB 918) Effective January 1, 2018.)

chapter: 3. Procedures at Polls

article: 1. Election Day Posting Requirements

path: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES > 3. Procedures at Polls > 1. Election Day Posting Requirements


citation: ELEC § 14201

text:
(a) In counties and precincts where the Secretary of State has determined that it is appropriate, the county elections official shall provide facsimile copies of the ballot, as described in subdivision (b), with the ballot measures and ballot instructions printed in Spanish, one of which shall be posted in a conspicuous location in the polling place and at least one of which shall be made available for voters at the polling place to use as a reference when casting a private ballot. Facsimile ballots shall also be printed in other languages and provided in the same manner if a significant and substantial need is found by the Secretary of State. A facsimile copy of the ballot available for voters to use in casting a private ballot shall be sufficiently distinct in appearance from a regular ballot to prevent voters from attempting to vote on the facsimile copy.

(b) (1) In determining if it is appropriate to provide the election materials in Spanish or other languages, the Secretary of State shall determine the number of residents of voting age in each county and precinct who are members of a single language minority, and who lack sufficient skills in English to vote without assistance. If the number of these residents equals 3 percent or more of the voting-age residents of a particular county or precinct, or if interested citizens or organizations provide the Secretary of State with information that gives the Secretary of State sufficient reason to believe a need for the furnishing of facsimile ballots, the Secretary of State shall find a need to provide at least two facsimile copies with the ballot measures and ballot instructions printed in Spanish or other applicable language in the affected polling places.

(2) If the Secretary of State determines that the number of voting-age residents in a precinct who are members of a single language minority and who lack sufficient skills in English to vote without assistance exceeds 20 percent of the voting-age residents in that precinct, the county elections official shall provide at least four facsimile copies of the ballot in the language of that language minority, one of which shall be posted in a conspicuous location in the polling place and at least three of which shall be made available for voters at the polling place to use as a reference when casting a private ballot.

(c) (1) In polling places where facsimile copies of the ballot are necessary, members of the precinct boards shall be trained on the purpose and proper handling of the facsimile copies of the ballot and shall be prepared to inform voters of the existence of the facsimile copies of the ballot, as appropriate.

(2) If a voter requests a facsimile copy of a ballot that is available in the voter’s language of preference pursuant to subdivision (a), a member of the precinct board shall provide the facsimile copy of the ballot to the voter.

(3) In polling places where facsimile copies of the ballot are necessary, a sign near the roster shall inform voters of the existence of the facsimile copies of the ballot. The sign shall be in English and in the language or languages of the facsimile copies available in that polling place.

(d) At least 14 days before an election, the county elections official shall provide information on the county elections internet website identifying all polling places in the county and the languages of facsimile copies of the ballot that will be available to voters at each polling place. Explanatory information pertaining to the list of polling places, but not the list itself, shall be available in all languages in which the county provides facsimile copies of the ballot.

(e) The county elections official shall include text in the county voter information guide that refers voters with language needs to the portion of the county elections internet website containing the information specified in subdivision (d). The text shall be in all languages in which the county provides facsimile copies of the ballot.

(f) The Secretary of State shall make the determinations and findings set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b) by January 1 of each year in which the Governor is elected.

(g) (1) A county elections official shall not be required to provide facsimile copies of the ballot in a particular language if the county elections official is required to provide translated ballots in that language pursuant to Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(2) In a polling place where a county elections official is required pursuant to subdivision (a) to provide a facsimile copy of the ballot in a language other than English, the county elections official may instead provide voters with a ballot translated into that language. A county elections official who provides and publicizes translated ballots in the same manner as translated ballots provided and publicized pursuant to Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.), in lieu of providing facsimile copies of the ballot in any language required under subdivision (a), need not comply with subdivisions (c), (d), and (e) as pertaining to that language.

(h) It is the intent of the Legislature that non-English-speaking citizens, like all other citizens, should be encouraged to vote. Therefore, appropriate efforts should be made on a statewide basis to minimize obstacles to voting by citizens who lack sufficient skill in English to vote without assistance.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 107. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 1. Election Day Posting Requirements


citation: ELEC § 14202

text:
(a) Before opening the polls, the precinct board shall post in separate, convenient places at or near the polling place, and of easy access to the voters, at least one printed copy of the voter list for that polling place. The copies of the voter list shall be by street address in numerical order.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in elections conducted using vote centers, at each polling place the elections official or the precinct board shall provide access to the voter list.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 52. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 1. Election Day Posting Requirements


citation: ELEC § 14203

text: The precinct officer shall post the signs required by Section 14106 in plain view within each voting booth or compartment whenever an election has been canceled pursuant to Section 8026.

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

article: 1. Election Day Posting Requirements


citation: ELEC § 14210

text: The members of each precinct board shall distribute the duties devolving upon the precinct board, which are in addition to their individual duties, in a manner they deem most advantageous.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures

path: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES > 3. Procedures at Polls > 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14211

text: The polling places shall be arranged so that neither the ballot containers nor the voting booths or compartments shall be hidden from the view of those present.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14212

text: The polls shall be open at 7 a.m. of the day of any election, and shall be kept open until 8 p.m. of the same day, when the polls shall be closed, except as provided in Sections 4005 and 14401.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 479, Sec. 10. (AB 1762) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14213

text: Before the precinct board receives any ballots, it shall proclaim aloud at the place of election that the polls are open.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14214

text: Voting shall commence as soon as the polls are opened and shall be continued during the time the polls remain open.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14215

text: Before receiving any ballots, the precinct board, in the presence of any persons assembled at the polling place, shall open and exhibit and close the ballot container or containers. Thereafter, the ballot container or containers shall not be removed from the polling place or presence of the bystanders until all the ballots are counted, nor opened until after the polls are finally closed.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14216

text:
(a) Any person desiring to vote shall state or provide his or her name and address and, upon the precinct officers finding the name in the roster, the voter shall then sign his or her name in the space provided or, if the voter is unable to sign, shall have his or her name signed by another person on the roster provided for that purpose, whereupon a challenge may be interposed as provided in this article.

(b) The signature shall be capable of being retained for the prescribed retention period for the election being conducted.

(c) This section does not prohibit the use of technology to capture the signature prescribed by subdivision (a).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 54. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14217

text: If the precinct board is unable to find a voter’s name upon the roster, it shall inform the voter that he or she may cast a provisional ballot and the procedure for doing so. If the voter elects to cast a provisional ballot, the precinct board shall furnish the voter with a provisional ballot, in accordance with Section 14310.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 55. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14218

text: If the surname of any person offering to vote has been changed since the person has registered, the person shall sign his or her name as it was before the change and also the appropriate name as it is at the time the person votes, indicating on the roster on the same line by brackets or other means that the two names are the name of one person.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14219

text: The precinct board shall provide, upon request, to a voter for use in the voting booth or compartment, a copy of the facsimile ballot containing ballot measures and instructions printed in Spanish or in other languages, as required by Section 14201, unless county voter information guides and ballots for voting are already being provided in that language under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended by Public Law 94-73.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 422, Sec. 78. (AB 2911) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14220

text: At any election, a majority of the members of any precinct board shall be present at the polling place at all times while the polling place is open.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14221

text: Only voters engaged in receiving, preparing, or depositing their ballots and persons authorized by the precinct board to keep order and enforce the law may be permitted to be within the voting booth area before the closing of the polls.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14222

text: Nothing contained in this code shall prevent a voter from being accompanied by a child or children under the age of 18 years while the voter is within the voting booth area if the child is, or children are, under the voter’s care.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 104, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.)

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14223

text:
(a) Only members of the precinct board, and persons while signing their names on the roster, shall be permitted, during the hours within which voting is in progress, to sit at the desk or table used by the precinct board.

(b) Any person may inspect the roster while voting is in progress and while votes are being counted. However, this shall not be done at a time or in a manner which will impede, interfere, or interrupt the normal process of voting.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14224

text:
(a) Except as provided in Section 14222, a voting booth or compartment shall not be occupied by more than one person at a time, unless the voter is eligible under the assisted-voter provisions.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a voter shall not remain in or occupy a voting booth or compartment longer than is necessary to mark his or her ballot, which shall not exceed 10 minutes.

(2) If a voter informs a precinct board member that the voter requires additional time to mark his or her ballot, a longer period shall be allowed. However, if the precinct board member determines that the voter is attempting to interfere with the conduct of the election and does not require additional time to mark his or her ballot, the precinct board member may contact the elections official, who may order that the voter not be provided with additional time to mark his or her ballot.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 238, Sec. 1. (AB 1724) Effective January 1, 2013.)

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14225

text: Members of the precinct board shall not deposit in the ballot container any ballot from which the slip containing the number of the ballot has not been removed by a member of the precinct board and handed to the voter. This section does not apply to a vote by mail ballot.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 547, Sec. 5. (AB 1572) Effective January 1, 2010.)

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14227

text: Any member of the precinct board, when using a language other than English at the polls, shall communicate with voters in that language only as he or she would be lawfully permitted to communicate in English under the code. The member shall be subject to like penalty for any illegal communication as if it had occurred in English.

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


text:
(a) At a partisan primary election, before providing a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference with a nonpartisan ballot or before the voter enters the voting booth, as applicable, a member of the precinct board shall provide a uniform notification to the voter informing him or her that he or she may request a political party’s ballot and the name of each political party that has authorized a voter who has declined to disclose a political party preference to vote in its ballot.

(b) A county elections official shall train the members of a precinct board regarding their duties under subdivision (a).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 819, Sec. 4. (AB 837) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 2. Election Day Procedures


citation: ELEC § 14240

text:
(a) A person offering to vote may be orally challenged within the polling place only by a member of the precinct board upon any or all of the following grounds:

(1) That the voter is not the person whose name appears on the roster.

(2) That the voter is not a resident of the precinct, or in an election conducted using a voter center, not a resident of the county.

(3) That the voter is not a citizen of the United States.

(4) That the voter has voted in that election.

(b) A person, other than a member of a precinct board or other official responsible for the conduct of the election, shall not challenge or question any voter concerning the voter’s qualifications to vote.

(c) If any member of a precinct board receives, by mail or otherwise, any document or list concerning the residence or other voting qualifications of any person or persons, with the express or implied suggestion, request, or demand that the person or persons be challenged, the board member shall first determine whether the document or list contains or is accompanied by evidence constituting probable cause to justify or substantiate a challenge. In any case, before making any use whatever of such a list or document, the member of the precinct board shall immediately contact the elections official, charged with the duty of conducting the election, and describe the contents of the document or list and the evidence, if any, received bearing on voting qualifications. The elections official shall advise the members of the precinct board as to the sufficiency of probable cause for instituting and substantiating the challenge and as to the law as herein provided, relating to hearings and procedures for challenges by members of the precinct board and determination thereof by a precinct board. The elections official may, if necessary, designate a deputy to receive and answer inquiries from precinct board members as herein provided.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 320, Sec. 9. (AB 646) Effective January 1, 2021.)

article: 3. Challenging a Voter

path: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES > 3. Procedures at Polls > 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14241

text: A piece of mailed matter returned undelivered by the post office shall not be accepted or used as evidence upon which to initiate a challenge as to residency by any member of the precinct board unless other evidence or testimony is also presented, nor shall the mailed matter, standing alone without other evidence or testimony, be accepted as evidence by the precinct board in determining a challenge.

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14242

text: The ground for challenge set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 14240 shall not apply to any person duly registered as a voter in any precinct in California and moving from that precinct within 14 days prior to an election.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 811, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 2004.)

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14243

text: If the challenge is on the ground that the person seeking to vote is not the person whose name appears on the roster, a member of the precinct board shall tender the following oath: “You do swear (or affirm) that you are the person whose name is entered on the roster.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 57. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14244

text: If the challenge is on the ground that the person seeking to vote is not a resident of the precinct, or in an election conducted using a voter center, not a resident of the county, the person challenged shall be sworn to answer questions, and after having been sworn, a member of the precinct board shall ask that person: “Are you a resident of this precinct?” or in an election conducted using a voter center, “Are you a resident of the county?”; If the answer to the question is “Yes,” without significant qualification, no other questions shall be asked.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 58. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14245

text:
If the challenge is on the ground that the person challenged has already cast a ballot for this election, a member of the precinct board shall tender to the person challenged this oath:

“You do swear (or affirm) that you have not previously voted in this election, either by vote by mail ballot or at a polling place.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 81. Effective January 1, 2008.)

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14246

text: If the challenge is on the ground either that the person challenged is not the person whose name appears on the roster, or that he or she has voted that day, the challenge shall be determined in favor of the person challenged if that person takes the oath as set forth either in Section 14243 or 14245.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 59. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14247

text: Challenges of voters that they are not residents of the precinct or citizens of the United States shall be tried and determined by the precinct board at the time of the challenge. The precinct board may, at its discretion, also request any other person, present in the polling place to be sworn and answer questions, whom the board believes may have knowledge or information concerning the facts of the challenge.

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14248

text: Before administering an oath to a person regarding his or her place of residence, a member of the precinct board shall read to the person challenged, the rules prescribed by Section 14249 and Article 2 (commencing with Section 2020) of Chapter 1 of Division 2.

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14249

text: If any person challenged refuses to take the oaths tendered, or refuses to be sworn and to answer the questions concerning the matter of residence, that person shall not be allowed to vote.

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14250

text: The precinct board, in determining the place of residence of any person, shall be governed by the rules set forth in Article 2 (commencing with Section 2020) of Chapter 1 of Division 2.

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14251

text: Any doubt in the interpretation of the law shall be resolved in favor of the challenged voter.

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14252

text:
The precinct board shall compile a list showing all of the following:

(a) The name and address of each person challenged.

(b) The name, address, and any other identification as a voter, of each person offering information concerning any person’s qualifications to vote, or testifying pursuant to Section 14247, together with the name and address and any other identification of the person about whom the information or testimony is given.

(c) The grounds of each challenge.

(d) The determination of the board upon the challenge, together with any written evidence pertaining thereto.

(e) If evidence has been presented to the board requesting challenges, the evidence shall be returned to the elections official responsible for the conduct of the election.

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14253

text: In the event that the precinct board determines that persistent challenging of voters is resulting in a delay of voting sufficient to cause voters to forego voting because of insufficient time or for fear of unwarranted intimidation, the board shall discontinue all challenges, and so note on the roster.

article: 3. Challenging a Voter


citation: ELEC § 14270

text: The procedure at the polls where voting is conducted pursuant to this division shall be the same as at other polling places, except as provided in this article.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting

path: 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES > 3. Procedures at Polls > 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14271

text: After the opening of the polls, the precinct board shall not allow any voter to enter the voting booth until it ascertains that he or she is entitled to vote.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14272

text: Before each voter enters the voting booth, the precinct board shall inform him or her how to operate the voting device. If a marking or punching device is used, the voter shall be instructed to use only that device. The voter shall also be instructed how to fold the ballot and place it in the envelope. If any voter, after entering the booth, asks for information regarding the operation of the machine or device, the precinct board shall give him or her the information.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14273

text: The device for marking the ballot may be handed to the voter with his or her ballot before the voter goes into the voting booth, and shall be returned to the precinct board after he or she has finished marking his or her ballot.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14274

text: In any election where ballots are to be counted both manually and by electromechanical tabulating devices, the marking device used for marking ballots to be counted electromechanically may be used for marking ballots to be counted manually.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14275

text: Before leaving the voting booth or compartment, the voter shall fold or place the ballot card in the envelope so that the ballot markings of the voter will not be exposed, and the ballot stub will be outside of the envelope or other container, to be removed by the precinct board.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14277

text: The voter shall hand the folded ballot or the envelope containing the ballot to a precinct board member, who shall remove the ballot stub, hand it to the voter, and deposit the ballot in the ballot container. If the ballot is to be transferred from the envelope to the ballot container, care shall be taken not to disclose the markings of the voter on the ballot.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14278

text: The precinct board shall give each voter only one ballot, as provided in Section 13102.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14279

text: Unless otherwise provided by law, no person shall apply for or receive any ballot at any precinct other than that in which the voter is entitled to vote.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14280

text: Unless otherwise provided by law, a voter shall not receive a ballot from any person other than one of the precinct officers. No person other than a precinct officer or officer authorized by law shall deliver a ballot to any voter.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14281

text: On receiving a ballot, the voter shall forthwith retire alone to one of the booths or compartments provided, and mark the ballot, unless Section 14222 or 14224 is applicable.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14282

text:
(a) If a voter is unable to mark a paper ballot or the ballot marking device, the voter shall receive the assistance of not more than two persons selected by the voter, other than the voter’s employer, an agent of the voter’s employer, or an officer or agent of the union of which the voter is a member.

(b) The county elections official shall provide information on the county elections internet website and in the county voter information guide informing voters that a voter who is unable to mark a ballot may bring up to two individuals to the polls to assist them in voting as specified in subdivision (a), and that a voter with a disability may vote a regular ballot outside a polling place in accordance with subdivision (d). The information shall be available in all languages for which the county has requirements under Section 14201 of this code and Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).

(c) A person assisting a voter shall not divulge any information regarding the marking of the ballot.

(d) (1) A voter with a disability may appear outside the polling place and vote a regular ballot. The person may vote the ballot in a place that is as near as possible to the polling place and that is accessible to people with disabilities. A precinct board member shall take a regular ballot or ballot marking device to that person, qualify that person to vote, and return the voted ballot to the polling place.

(2) A precinct board member may satisfy paragraph (1) by only bringing a regular ballot outside to the voter if the county does not have the capability to bring the ballot marking device outside of the polling place.

(3) Signage shall be posted outside the polling place and adjacent to the area where the voter may appear to vote indicating that the option is available for a voter with a disability to vote there. The polling place shall establish a method for a voter with a disability to contact a precinct board member in order to vote outside the polling place, such as a posted phone number, doorbell device, or the stationing of a precinct board member outside the polling place.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 658, Sec. 2. (AB 545) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14283

text: The precinct officers shall keep a list of the voters who have been assisted in marking their ballots. The list of assisted voters shall be returned to the elections official and preserved with other election materials and records.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14284

text:
(a) All ballots shall be marked only with the marking device provided by the elections official or, for vote by mail ballots, recommended by the elections official.

(b) If a ballot cannot be tabulated because of the marking device used, it shall be processed as specified in Section 15210.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 676, Sec. 44. (AB 1219) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14285

text: To vote in a contest where two or more candidates for the same office are to be elected, a voter shall mark the voting targets next to the names of the candidates of the voter’s choice, up to the number of candidates to be elected.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 676, Sec. 46. (AB 1219) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14286

text: When a measure is submitted to the voters, the voter shall place a mark on the ballot in the appropriate space next to the answer the voter desires to give as to that measure. The voter, in marking the ballot, shall use the marking device provided.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 676, Sec. 47. (AB 1219) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14287

text:
No voter shall place personal information upon a ballot that identifies the voter. “Personal information” includes all of the following:

(a) The signature of the voter.

(b) The initials, name, or address of the voter.

(c) A voter identification number.

(d) A social security number.

(e) A driver’s license number.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 739, Sec. 2. (SB 183) Effective January 1, 2012.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14288

text: If a voter spoils or defaces a ballot, the voter shall at once return it to the ballot clerk and receive another ballot. A voter shall not receive more than a total of three ballots, including his or her original ballot, in this manner.

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

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14290

text: The precinct board shall immediately cancel, without unfolding them, all the spoiled ballots returned. The board shall write the word “spoiled” on the back of each spoiled ballot in ink or indelible pencil and return the spoiled ballots with the unused ballots.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14291

text:
(a) After the ballot is marked, a voter shall not show it to any person in a manner that reveals its contents, except as provided in subdivision (b).

(b) A voter may voluntarily disclose how he or she voted if that voluntary act does not violate any other law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 813, Sec. 2. (AB 1494) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14292

text: Before leaving the voting booth or compartment, the voter shall fold the ballot according to the instructions on it, so that the marks on its face are not visible and only the number on the ballot and the top margin are exposed.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14293

text: Having folded the ballot, the voter shall deliver it folded to a member of the precinct board, who shall then separate the slip containing the number from the ballot, hand the slip to the voter, and deposit the ballot in the ballot box in the presence of the voter.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14294

text:
(a) At all elections, a member of the precinct board shall mark, in the space provided on the voter list posted at or near the polling place, the name of each person who has voted, by drawing a line through the name of the voter, with a pen or indelible pencil. The board member shall mark off the names at least once each hour, to and including 6 p.m. In all counties not using the voter list, the board member shall draw a line under the last name signed in the roster at 6 p.m. or at the time of discontinuation of this procedure, whichever occurs last.

(b) If an electronic poll book is used at the polling place, the elections official may use a printout or an electronic means of notification of the list of each person who has voted. The elections official shall provide the printout or electronic notification at least once each hour, to and including 6 p.m., or at the time of discontinuation of this procedure, whichever occurs last.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 60. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14295

text: No voter shall deliver to any member of the precinct board any ballot other than the one received from the board member.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14296

text: Any voter who does not vote the ballot he or she has received, shall, before leaving the polling place, return it to the board member having charge of the ballots, who shall immediately cancel it. All canceled ballots shall be returned to the ballot clerk in the same manner as spoiled ballots.

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14297

text:
(a) No later than the time at which the voter delivers the voted ballot, a precinct board member in charge of the voter list shall write in the space opposite the name of the voter the line number designating the position of the name on the roster. In those counties using a combined roster, the voter’s name shall be crossed off of the voter list in lieu of numbering.

(b) In an election conducted using vote centers, or if an electronic poll book is used, only the electronic roster shall be updated.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 61. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14298

text:
(a) The precinct board shall maintain at least one printed copy of the voter list posted during the whole time of voting. The copies of the voter list shall not be marked in any manner except by a member of the precinct board acting pursuant to Section 14294.

(b) A member of the precinct board shall post a notice on each voter list that reads as follows: “This voter list shall not be marked in any manner except by a member of the precinct board acting pursuant to Section 14294. Any person who removes, tears, marks, or otherwise defaces this voter list with the intent to falsify or prevent others from readily ascertaining the name, address, or political preference of any voter, or the fact that a voter has or has not voted, is guilty of a misdemeanor.”

(c) If an electronic poll book is used, a notice shall be posted near the electronic poll book that reads as follows: “This electronic roster shall not be operated in any manner except by a member of the precinct board acting pursuant to Section 14294. Any person who tampers with, manipulates, or otherwise operates or interacts with this device with the intent to falsify or prevent others from readily ascertaining the name, address, or political preference of any voter, or the fact that a voter has or has not voted, is guilty of a misdemeanor.”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 100, Sec. 3. (AB 1591) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14299

text:
(a) If a precinct board is unable to furnish a ballot to a qualified voter because there is an insufficient number of ballots at the precinct, the elections official shall deliver to the precinct additional ballots to ensure that all eligible voters can cast their ballots within two hours.

(b) While awaiting the delivery of additional ballots, the precinct board shall provide each voter with the option of casting his or her vote immediately using an alternative procedure established prior to the election or waiting for the delivery of the additional ballots.

(c) The alternative procedure required by this section shall be subject to approval by the Secretary of State. The elections official shall submit the alternative procedure to the Secretary of State for approval by a date to be determined by the Secretary of State.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 501, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting


citation: ELEC § 14300

text:
(a) In the case of an election for a state or federal office, each polling place using a direct recording electronic voting system, as defined by Section 19271, the elections official shall provide paper ballots equivalent to the following percentages:

(1) For a statewide general election, no less than 10 percent of the registered voters in the polling place.

(2) For a statewide direct primary election, for each partisan ballot form for which at least 10 percent of the registered voters in the polling place are eligible to request, no less than 5 percent of the registered voters in the precinct eligible to request that ballot form at the polling place. For nonpartisan voters, the total number of paper ballots among all ballot forms that they are eligible to request shall be no less than 5 percent of registered nonpartisan voters at the polling place.

(3) For any other state or federal election contest, no less than 5 percent of registered voters at the polling place.

(4) For purposes of this section, the number of registered voters shall be based on the registration on the 88th day prior to the day of the election.

(b) The elections official shall establish procedures for the use of the paper ballots described in this section in the event the direct recording electronic voting system becomes nonfunctional.

(c) Upon request, the precinct board shall provide a paper ballot to a voter, regardless of the availability of the direct recording electronic voting system, as long as supplies remain available.

(d) The paper ballots described in this section may consist of provisional ballots.

(e) Any vote cast on a provisional ballot subject to this section by an otherwise qualified voter shall be counted as a regular ballot and shall not be subject to the requirements of Section 14310.

(f) In elections conducted using voter centers, the elections official shall provide a sufficient amount of ballot stock to be used for printing ballots in each vote center.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 63. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 4. Issuing Ballots and Voting