reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 1 - Preparation for Canvass › Section 15004.

15004. (a)  Each qualified political party may employ, and may have present at the central counting place or places, not more than two representatives to check and review the preparation and operation of the tabulating devices, their programming and testing, and have the representatives in attendance at any or all phases of the election.
(b) Any bona fide association of citizens or a media organization may employ, and may have present at the central counting place or places, not more than two representatives to check and review the preparation and operation of the tabulating devices, their programming and testing, and have the representatives in attendance at any or all phases of the election.
(c) The county elections official may limit the total number of representatives employed pursuant to subdivision (b) in attendance to no more than 10 by a manner in which each interested bona fide association of citizens or media organization has an equal opportunity to participate. Any representatives employed and in attendance pursuant to subdivision (a) shall not be subject to the limit specified in this subdivision.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 690, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15100.

15100. The provisions of this chapter apply to the processing of vote by mail ballots during the 29-day period before any election, during the semifinal official canvass, and during the official canvass.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 86. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15101.

15101. (a) Any jurisdiction in which vote by mail ballots are cast may begin to process vote by mail ballot return envelopes beginning 29 days before the election. Processing vote by mail ballot return envelopes may include verifying the voter’s signature on the vote by mail ballot return envelope pursuant to Section 3019 and updating voter history records.
(b) Any jurisdiction having the necessary computer capability may start to process vote by mail ballots on the 29th day before the election. Processing vote by mail ballots includes opening vote by mail ballot return envelopes, removing ballots, duplicating any damaged ballots, and preparing the ballots to be machine read, or machine reading them, including processing write-in votes so that they can be tallied by the machine, but under no circumstances may a vote count be accessed or released until 8 p.m. on the day of the election. All other jurisdictions shall start to process vote by mail ballots at 5 p.m. on the day before the election.
(c) Results of any vote by mail ballot tabulation or count shall not be released before the close of the polls on the day of the election.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 312, Sec. 7. (AB 37) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15102.

15102. The official shall appoint a special counting board or boards in numbers that he or she deems adequate to count the vote by mail ballots. The official shall provide for the forms of tally books and the distribution of the duties of the members of the canvassing board.
When the tally is done by hand, there shall be no less than four persons for each office or proposition to be counted. One shall read from the ballot, the second shall keep watch for any error or improper vote, and the other two shall keep the tally.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 88. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15103.

15103. The elections official shall pay a reasonable compensation to each member of the canvassing board of vote by mail ballots. This compensation shall be paid out of the treasury of the agency conducting the election as other claims against it are paid.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 89. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15104.

15104. (a) The processing of vote by mail ballot return envelopes, and the processing and counting of vote by mail ballots, shall be open to the public, both prior to and after the election.
(b) A member of the county grand jury, and at least one member each of the Republican county central committee, the Democratic county central committee, and of any other party with a candidate on the ballot, and any other interested organization, shall be permitted to observe and challenge the manner in which the vote by mail ballots are handled, from the processing of vote by mail ballot return envelopes through the counting and disposition of the ballots.
(c) The elections official shall notify vote by mail voter observers and the public at least 48 hours in advance of the dates, times, and places where vote by mail ballots will be processed and counted.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 2194, vote by mail voter observers shall be allowed sufficiently close access to enable them to observe the vote by mail ballot return envelopes and the signatures thereon and challenge whether those individuals handling vote by mail ballots are following established procedures, including all of the following:
(1) Verifying signatures on the vote by mail ballot return envelopes by comparing them to voter registration information.
(2) Duplicating accurately damaged or defective ballots.
(3) Securing vote by mail ballots to prevent tampering with them before they are counted on election day.
(e) A vote by mail voter observer shall not interfere with the orderly processing of vote by mail ballot return envelopes or the processing and counting of vote by mail ballots, including the touching or handling of the ballots.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 319, Sec. 4. (SB 503) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15105.

15105. Challenges to a vote by mail voter may be made for the same reasons as those made against a voter voting at a polling place. In addition, a challenge may be entered on the grounds that the ballot was not received within the time provided by this code or that a person is currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony. All challenges shall be made prior to the opening of the identification envelope of the challenged vote by mail voter.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 161, Sec. 29. (AB 2608) Effective August 22, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15106.

15106. Except as otherwise provided, the processing of vote by mail ballot return envelopes, the processing and counting of vote by mail ballots, and the disposition of challenges of vote by mail ballots shall be according to the laws now in force pertaining to the election for which they are cast. Because the voter is not present, the challenger shall have the burden of establishing extraordinary proof of the validity of the challenge at the time the challenge is made.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 92. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15107.

15107. If a challenge is overruled, the board shall open the identification envelope without defacing the affidavit printed on it or mutilating the enclosed ballot and, without viewing the ballot, remove it and destroy the numbered slip, if any remains, and store the ballots in a secure location.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15108.

15108. If a challenge is allowed, the board shall endorse on the face of the identification envelope the cause of the challenge and its action thereon.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15109.

15109. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the counting and canvassing of vote by mail ballots shall be conducted in the same manner and under the same regulations as used for ballots cast in a precinct polling place.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 93. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15110.

15110. Reports to the Secretary of State of the findings of the canvass of vote by mail ballots shall be made by the elections official pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15150) and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 15300).
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 94. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15111.

15111. The elections official shall keep an accurate list of all voters who have received and voted a vote by mail ballot at each election and compare this list with the roster as provided in Section 15278. That list shall include the election precinct of the voter.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 71. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 2 - Vote by Mail Ballot Processing › Section 15112.

15112. When elections are consolidated pursuant to Division 10 (commencing with Section 10000), and only one form of ballot is used at the consolidated election, the ballots cast by vote by mail voters shall be counted only in connection with elections to which vote by mail voter privileges have been extended by law.
Whenever the period of time within which vote by mail voters’ ballots shall be received by the elections official in order to be counted, as provided for any election by this code or any other law of this state, is different from that period of time provided for another election, and the elections are consolidated and only one form of ballot used for both elections, all vote by mail voters’ ballots issued for the consolidated election may be counted for both elections if received by the elections official within whichever period of time is longer.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 96. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15150.

15150. For every election, the elections official shall conduct a semifinal official canvass by tabulating vote by mail and precinct ballots and compiling the results. The semifinal official canvass shall commence immediately upon the close of the polls and shall continue without adjournment until all precincts are accounted for.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 97. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15151.

15151. (a) The elections official shall transmit the semifinal official results to the Secretary of State in the manner and according to the schedule prescribed by the Secretary of State prior to each election, for the following:
(1) All candidates voted for statewide office.
(2) All candidates voted for the following offices:
(A) State Assembly.
(B) State Senate.
(C) Member of the United States House of Representatives.
(D) Member of the State Board of Equalization.
(E) Justice of the Court of Appeals.
(3) All persons voted for at the presidential primary or for electors of President and Vice President of the United States.
(4) Statewide ballot measures.
(b) The elections official shall transmit the results to the Secretary of State at intervals no greater than two hours, following commencement of the semifinal official canvass.
(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 72, Sec. 4. Effective July 19, 2005.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15152.

15152. Neither the elections official, any member of a precinct board, nor any other person shall count any votes, either for a ballot proposition or candidate, until the close of the polls in that county. After that time, the ballots for all candidates and ballot propositions voted upon solely within the county shall be counted and the results of the balloting made public. However, the results for any candidate or ballot proposition also voted upon in another county or counties shall not be made public until after all the polls in that county and the other county or counties have closed. This paragraph applies regardless of whether the counting is done by manual tabulation or by a vote tabulating device.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15153.

15153. During the semifinal official canvass, write-in votes shall be counted in accordance with Article 3 (commencing with Section 15340) of Chapter 4.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15154.

15154. (a) Any ballot that is not marked as provided by law shall be rejected. The rejected ballots shall be placed in the package marked for voted ballots or in a separate container as directed by the elections official. All rejected ballots shall have written on the ballot the cause for rejection and be signed by a majority of processing board members who are assigned by the elections official to process ballots.
(b) The following ballot conditions shall not render a ballot invalid:
(1) Soiled or defaced.
(2) Two or more impressions of the voting stamp or mark in one voting square.
(3) Contains personal information, as defined in Section 14287.
(c) If a voter indicates, either by a combination of both marking and writing in, a choice of more names than there are candidates to be elected or nominated for any office, or if for any reason the choice of the voter is impossible to determine, the vote for that office shall not be counted, but the remainder of the ballot, if properly marked, shall be counted.
(d) This section applies to all ballots counted pursuant to this chapter and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 15300).
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 739, Sec. 3. (SB 183) Effective January 1, 2012.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15200.

15200. If paper ballots are used in conjunction with this system, counting shall be as provided in Article 5 (commencing with Section 15270) and Article 6 (commencing with Section 15290).
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15201.

15201. (a) As soon as the polls are closed, the precinct board shall, in the presence of the public do all of the following:
(1) Seal the container used to transport voted ballots and insure that the precinct number, or in an election conducted using a voter center, the vote center number, is designated on the ballot container.
(2) Certify, sign, and seal the several packages or envelopes as directed by the elections official.
(3) By not less than two of their number, deliver the ballot container and packages to the elections official at the central counting place in the manner prescribed by the elections official. The ballot container and packages shall remain in their exclusive possession until delivered to the elections official.
(b) This section also applies to ballots counted manually pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 15290).
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 72. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15202.

15202. If the ballots are to be counted at a central counting place, no fewer than two precinct board members shall, following the close of the polls, deliver the ballots, in a sealed container, to the central counting place or a designated receiving station. There may be two or more central counting places.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15203.

15203. The vote tabulating device may be located at any place within the state approved by the elections official of the county or other political subdivision using the device. The same device may be jointly owned, borrowed, leased, or used by two or more counties, cities, or other political subdivisions to tabulate ballots cast in any election.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15204.

15204. All proceedings at the central counting place, or counting places, if applicable, shall be open to the view of the public but no person, except one employed and designated for the purpose by the elections official or his or her authorized deputy, shall touch any ballot container. Access to the area where electronic data processing equipment is being operated may be restricted to those persons authorized by the elections official.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15205.

15205. (a) A person may be employed to count, tally, and certify the ballots if he or she is not a candidate at the election and if he or she satisfies either of the following requirements:
(1) Has the qualifications required for a precinct board member.
(2) Is a deputy or employee of either of the following:
(A) The governing board.
(B) The elections official.
(b) No person selected to count ballots need reside in any particular precinct.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15206.

15206. The elections official or any deputy authorized by the elections official may excuse or dismiss any person from any counting board and enforce the order.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15207.

15207. The elections official or authorized deputy shall segregate the persons employed to count the ballots into counting boards. These counting boards shall be deemed to be precinct boards, and are subject to all laws governing precinct boards where ballots are counted at the polling place.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15208.

15208. (a) Each container of ballots shall be opened and its contents removed. The ballots shall be checked to ascertain if the ballots are properly grouped and shall be arranged, if necessary, so that all similar ballots from the precinct are together.
(b) Any ballot that contains personal information, as defined in Section 14287, or is torn, bent, or mutilated shall be segregated in the manner directed by the elections official and a duplicate shall be prepared as provided in Section 15210.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 739, Sec. 4. (SB 183) Effective January 1, 2012.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15209.

15209. Any magnetic or electronic storage medium used for the ballot tabulation program and any magnetic or electronic storage medium containing election results shall be kept in a secure location and shall be retained for six months following any local election and 22 months following any federal election or so long thereafter as any contest involving the vote at the local or federal election remains undetermined.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15210.

15210. In preparing the voted ballots for processing, any ballot that is torn, bent, or otherwise defective shall be corrected so that every vote cast by the voter shall be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment. If necessary, a true duplicate copy of the defective ballot shall be made and substituted therefor, following the intention of the voter insofar as it can be ascertained from the defective ballot. All duplicate ballots shall be clearly labeled as a duplicate and shall bear a serial number that shall be recorded on the damaged or defective ballot.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 676, Sec. 49. (AB 1219) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15212.

15212. If voting at all precincts within a county is not conducted using the same voting system, the result as to the precincts not subject to this article shall be determined in accordance with other provisions of this code and the result of the vote at precincts subject to this article shall be determined as provided in this article. The statement of the vote in that case shall represent the consolidation of all the results and the results of the canvass of all vote by mail voter ballots.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 99. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 2 - Automated Count in a Central Location › Section 15213.

15213. In case of an emergency in which it becomes impossible to transport the ballots from the precinct to a central counting place, the elections official may direct that the ballots be counted at the precinct. In those cases, counting shall be conducted substantially in accordance with Article 5 (commencing with Section 15270).
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 3 - Automated Vote Count in Precincts › Section 15250.

15250. This article applies to all elections in which votes are counted by means of a voting machine at a polling place or vote center.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 73. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 3 - Automated Vote Count in Precincts › Section 15251.

15251. Upon receipt of the result of votes cast from the precinct boards, the elections official shall do either of the following:
(a) Compile and make available to the public the received results as to the offices and measures.
(b) Compare the received results to the results provided to the public from the central tabulation or tally system pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 15300) of Division 15.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 75. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 4 - Establishing Election Return Centers and Multiple Counting Centers › Section 15260.

15260. (a) The elections official of the jurisdiction shall establish one or more election return centers for the purpose of facilitating the compilation of election returns and expediting their announcement to the public.
(b) In establishing a return center, the elections official may designate a group of precincts which the center shall serve and this designation shall be available for public inspection no later than 15 days before the election. The election return center may be at any public place as the elections official designates.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 4 - Establishing Election Return Centers and Multiple Counting Centers › Section 15261.

15261. The elections official may establish one or more centers to count ballots from designated precincts and transmit the results via voice telephone connection or facsimile transmission. The count shall be conducted in all other respects in accordance with the central counting provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 15200). The list of designated precincts for each counting center shall be available for public inspection no later than 15 days before the election.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 200, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15270.

15270. This article applies to all elections in which ballots are counted by hand.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15270.1.

15270.1. (a) An elections official shall not conduct a manual vote count pursuant to this article or Article 6 (commencing with Section 15290) in any election unless that manual count is conducted pursuant to a plan approved by the Secretary of State. A manual count plan shall be consistent with the regulations adopted by the Secretary of State regarding manual vote counts. The Secretary of State shall prepare a template of a manual count plan that an elections official may use to assist in meeting this requirement.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an elections official shall not conduct a manual vote count in an election, and the Secretary of State shall not approve a plan to conduct a manual vote count for that election, if either of the following are true:
(1) The election is held on an established election date, as provided in Section 1000, and there are more than 1,000 registered voters who are eligible to participate in that election as of 154 days in advance of the election.
(2) The election is held on a date other than an established election date, and there are more than 5,000 registered voters who are eligible to participate in that election as of 154 days in advance of the election.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 300, Sec. 1. (AB 969) Effective October 4, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15270.2.

15270.2. The Secretary of State shall adopt regulations regarding manual vote counts.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 300, Sec. 2. (AB 969) Effective October 4, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15270.3.

15270.3. Notwithstanding Section 15270.1 or subdivision (a) of Section 19207.5, an elections official may conduct a manual vote count in the event of a natural disaster or other state of emergency in which use of a certified voting system is not feasible.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 300, Sec. 3. (AB 969) Effective October 4, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15271.

15271. As soon as the polls are finally closed, the precinct board shall commence to count the votes by taking the ballots cast, unopened, out of the box and counting them to ascertain whether the number of ballots corresponds with the number of signatures on the roster. The precinct board shall make a record upon the roster of the number of ballots in the ballot box, the number of signatures on the roster, and the difference, if any.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15272.

15272. The count shall be public and shall be continued without adjournment until completed and the result is declared. During the reading and tallying, the ballot read and the tally sheet kept shall be within the clear view of watchers.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15273.

15273. Unless otherwise provided in this code, the precinct board members may not constitute themselves into separate squads in an attempt to conduct more than one count of the ballots at the same time.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15274.

15274. The members of the precinct board may relieve each other in the duties of counting ballots.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15275.

15275. Those ballots not rejected shall be placed in one pile, and the board shall proceed to count by tallying the vote for one or more offices or measures at a time.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15276.

15276. The precinct board members shall ascertain the number of votes cast for each person and for and against each measure in the following manner:
One precinct board member shall read from the ballots. As the ballots are read, at least one other precinct board member shall keep watch of each vote so as to check on any possible error or omission on the part of the officer reading or calling the ballot.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15277.

15277. (a) Two of the precinct board members shall each keep a tally sheet in a form prescribed by the elections official. Each tally sheet shall contain all of the following:
(1) The name of each candidate being voted for and the specific office for which each candidate is being voted. The offices shall be in the same order as on the ballot.
(2) A list of each measure being voted upon.
(3) Sufficient space to permit the tallying of the full vote cast for each candidate and for and against each measure.
(b) The precinct board members keeping the tally sheets shall record opposite each name or measure, with pen or indelible pencil, the number of votes by tallies as the name of each candidate or measure voted upon is read aloud from the respective ballot.
(c) Immediately upon the completion of the tallies, the precinct board members keeping the tally shall draw two heavy lines in ink or indelible pencil from the last tally mark to the end of the line in which the tallies terminate and initial that line. The total number of votes counted for each candidate and for and against each measure shall be recorded on the tally sheets in words and figures.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15278.

15278. On completion of the canvass of the returns for each election, the elections official shall compare the vote by mail voters’ list with the roster for each precinct to determine if any voter cast more than one ballot at that election.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 806, Sec. 76. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2018.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15278.5.

15278.5. No precinct board member may make any tally of votes in any other manner than is provided in this article, nor in any place other than on the tally sheets provided for that purpose.
(Added by renumbering Section 15278 (as added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073) by Stats. 2002, Ch. 344, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2003.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15279.

15279. The ballots, as soon as all of the names and measures marked on them as voted for are read and tallied, shall not thereafter be examined by any person, but, as soon as all are counted, shall be carefully sealed in a strong envelope. The signatures of each member of the precinct board shall be written across the seal.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15280.

15280. The precinct board shall complete, sign, and return to the elections official all furnished forms requiring its signatures.
When votes are counted at the precinct, all members of the precinct board, upon the completion of their duties, shall sign the following certificate of performance, which shall be substantially in the following form:
Certificate of Performance
for ____ precinct, for the ____ election, held on the ____ day of ____, (year).
We hereby certify that the total number of votes received by each candidate for each office and the total number of votes cast for and against each measure is as indicated on the tally sheets.
We further certify that the results of votes cast forms posted outside the polling place and transmitted to the county elections official show the total number of votes received by each candidate for each office and the total number of votes cast for and against each measure is as indicated.
_____ Inspector
_____ Assistant Inspector
_____ Judge
_____ Judge
_____ Clerk
_____ Clerk
_____ Clerk
_____ Clerk
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 5 - Manual Vote Count in the Precinct › Section 15281.

15281. The precinct board shall sign and post conspicuously on the outside of the polling place a copy of the result of the votes cast. The copy shall remain posted for at least 48 hours after the official time fixed for the closing of the polls. To protect a person’s right to cast a secret ballot under Section 7 of Article II of the California Constitution, in cases where fewer than 10 voters cast ballots and the precinct board tallies the results at the precinct, the precinct board shall post only the total number of people who voted at the precinct.
(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 402, Sec. 3. (AB 2797) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 3 - Semifinal Official Canvass › ARTICLE 6 - Manual Vote Count in a Central Place › Section 15290.

15290. Ballots that are to be counted manually in a central place shall be transported as provided in Sections 15201 and 15202. Each counting board shall proceed to count and tally the ballots by precincts, separately, under the direction of the elections official or authorized deputies, in the same manner as provided where ballots are counted at the polling place pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 15270).
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 4 - Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15300.

15300. This chapter applies to all elections.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 4 - Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15301.

15301. The canvass shall commence no later than the Thursday following the election, shall be open to the public, and, for state or statewide elections, shall result in a report of results to the Secretary of State. The canvass shall be continued daily, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excepted, for not less than six hours each day until completed.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 4 - Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15302.

15302. The official canvass shall include, but not be limited to, the following tasks:
(a) An inspection of all materials and supplies returned by poll workers.
(b) A reconciliation of the number of signatures on the roster with the number of ballots recorded on the ballot statement.
(c) In the event of a discrepancy in the reconciliation required by subdivision (b), the number of ballots received from each polling place shall be reconciled with the number of ballots cast, as indicated on the ballot statement.
(d) A reconciliation of the number of ballots counted, spoiled, canceled, or invalidated due to identifying marks, overvotes, or as otherwise provided by statute, with the number of votes recorded, including vote by mail and provisional ballots, by the vote counting system.
(e) Processing and counting any valid vote by mail and provisional ballots not included in the semifinal official canvass.
(f) Counting any valid write-in votes.
(g) Reproducing any damaged ballots, if necessary.
(h) Reporting final results to the governing board and the Secretary of State, as required.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 101. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 4 - Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15303.

15303. If the returns from any precinct are incomplete, ambiguous, not properly authenticated, or otherwise defective, the elections official may issue and serve subpoenas requiring members of the precinct board to appear and be examined under oath concerning the manner in which votes were counted and the result of the count in their precinct. This section shall apply when ballots are tabulated manually or automatically at the polls.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 4 - Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15304.

15304. In jurisdictions using a central counting place, the elections official may appoint not less than three deputies to open the envelopes or containers with the materials returned from the precincts. If, after examination, any of the materials are incomplete, ambiguous, not properly authenticated, or otherwise defective, the precinct officers may be summoned before the elections official and examined under oath to describe polling place procedures and to correct the errors or omissions.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 4 - Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15305.

15305. (a) For purposes of this section, “unprocessed ballot” means a voted polling place ballot, voted vote by mail ballot, voted provisional ballot, or voted conditional registration ballot that has not yet been counted or processed for counting.
(b) On the second day after the election, an elections official shall send to the Secretary of State an initial report containing the estimated number of outstanding unprocessed ballots.
(c) Commencing on the sixth day after the election, an elections official shall, on any day that the elections official publicly releases updated election results, send to the Secretary of State a report on the estimated number of outstanding unprocessed ballots. The report shall be submitted to the Secretary of State in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of State, and the last report shall be delivered upon the completion of the official canvass.
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 91, Sec. 1. (AB 566) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Elections Code - ELEC › DIVISION 15 - SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES › CHAPTER 4 - Official Canvass › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions › Section 15306.

15306. (a) Beginning no later than the Thursday following an election, and until the time specified in subdivision (b), an elections official shall post updated information regarding the election on their internet website at least once per week. The update shall include at least the following information:
(1) Updated results for any candidate or measure appearing on the ballot.
(2) The number of ballots processed and an estimated number of outstanding ballots remaining unprocessed for each of the following categories: ballots voted at a polling place, vote by mail ballots received on or before election day, vote by mail ballots received after election day, provisional ballots, and conditional registration ballots.
(3) The date and time when it is expected that the next results will be posted.
(b) The elections official may stop posting the results described in subdivision (a) when either of the following occurs:
(1) A certified statement of results is published pursuant to Section 15372.
(2) The only ballots left to count are vote by mail ballots for which a voter has the opportunity either to verify their signature pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 3019 or to provide their signature pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 3019. If the elections official stops posting results for this reason, they shall post a notice stating this reason on their internet website.
(c) The requirements of this section are in addition to any other duty to report or publish information required of the elections official pursuant to Division 15 (commencing with Section 15000) or any other law.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 514, Sec. 1. (AB 63) Effective January 1, 2024.)