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HomeElections CodeDiv. 14Ch. 4Art. 2§ 14421 Ballot Handling Procedures

§ 14421 Ballot Handling Procedures

Elections Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 14421 Ballot Handling Procedures

This law tells the precinct board how to sort, pack, and send all the ballots after an election.

Key Takeaways

  • •The precinct board must follow the elections official’s instructions for how to group and containerize ballots.
  • •All voted ballots, write‑in ballots, and any spoiled or void ballots go into the containers the official tells them to use.
  • •Everything is sealed in boxes and sent quickly to the central counting place along with any unused supplies.

Example

After the polls close on Election Day, the precinct board gathers all the regular votes, any write‑in votes, and any spoiled ballots, puts them into the right containers, seals the boxes, and ships them to the county counting center.

The board follows the elections official’s directions, groups the different kinds of ballots, puts everything in one or more sealed boxes, and sends them off as fast as possible.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 14421 Ballot Handling Procedures

Unless the county elections official has directed the precinct board to seal the ballot container and record information pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 14420, the precinct board shall group voted ballot cards and voted separate write-in ballots, as directed by the elections official, and place them in containers. The board shall also place spoiled and void ballots, if any, in containers as directed by the elections official. All of these ballots, along with the containers for voted ballot cards, shall be placed in one or more boxes, which shall then be sealed and delivered as soon as possible to the receiving centers or central counting places with the unused ballots, supplies, and other materials as directed by the elections official. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 725, Sec. 3. (AB 363) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

precinct boardvoted ballot cardsseparate write-in ballotsspoiled and void ballotsreceiving centerscentral counting places

Related Statutes

  • § 14420 Ballot Handling And Counting
  • § 11320 Recall Election Ballot Requirements
  • § 11322 Recall Election Ballot Requirements
  • § 11322.5 Recall Election Ballot Instructions
  • § 11323 Recall Vote Marking Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 14421.
View Official Source