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HomeElections CodeDiv. 15Ch. 3Art. 2§ 15208 Ballot Handling And Duplication

§ 15208 Ballot Handling And Duplication

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

§ 15208 Ballot Handling And Duplication

This law tells election workers to open every ballot box, put all the ballots from the same precinct together, and set aside any ballot that has personal info or is torn, bent, or messed up, then make a copy of it.

Key Takeaways

  • •Open every ballot container and take the ballots out.
  • •Make sure ballots from the same precinct are grouped together.
  • •If a ballot has personal info or is torn, bent, or damaged, set it aside as directed.
  • •Create a duplicate of any separated ballot.

Example

After the polls close, staff open a box of ballots from Precinct 5, find one ballot that is ripped and shows the voter's home address, and set that ballot aside while making a duplicate copy of it.

The workers follow the rule by opening the box, sorting all Precinct 5 ballots together, and separating the damaged ballot with personal info, then creating a duplicate as the law requires.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15208 Ballot Handling And Duplication

(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.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

ballotspersonal informationsegregatedduplicate

Related Statutes

  • § 14213 Poll Opening Announcement
  • § 14221 Voting Booth Access Rules
  • § 15213 Emergency Precinct Ballot Counting
  • § 11220 Recall Petition Filing Deadlines
  • § 11221 Recall Signature Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 15208.
View Official Source