§ 14221 Voting Booth Access Rules

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says only people who are actually voting or election officials can stay inside the voting booth area until the polls close.

Key Takeaways

•Only voters who are actively handling their ballot may be in the booth area.
•Only election officials who are told to keep order can be in the booth area.
•Everyone must leave the booth area before the polls close if they are not voting at that moment.

Example

A voter finishes marking their ballot, puts it in the ballot box, and then stays in the booth to talk with a friend.

Because the voter is no longer receiving, preparing, or depositing a ballot, the law says they must leave the booth area before the polls close.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 14221 Voting Booth Access Rules

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

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

voters receiving preparing depositing ballots persons authorized precinct board keep order enforce the law voting booth area closing of the polls

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 14221.

Key Takeaways

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Key Terms

Related Statutes

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References