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HomeElections CodeDiv. 15Ch. 9Art. 3§ 15630 Recount Ballot Examination Rules

§ 15630 Recount Ballot Examination Rules

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

§ 15630 Recount Ballot Examination Rules

This law lets a voter ask to look at any ballot during a recount, but the ballots can’t be touched unless the election official says it’s okay and is watching, and only certain people are allowed to handle them.

Key Takeaways

  • •A voter can request to examine any ballot during a recount.
  • •Ballots may not be touched without the election official’s consent and presence.
  • •Only the election official, people they direct, recount board members, or a court order allow ballot handling.

Example

A voter asks for a recount and wants to see the ballots that were counted for their precinct.

The election office can let the voter look at the ballots, but nobody can pick them up or move them unless the election official gives permission and is there to watch, and only the official, people they direct, members of the recount board, or a court order can actually handle the ballots.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15630 Recount Ballot Examination Rules

All ballots, whether voted or not, and any other relevant material, may be examined as part of any recount if the voter filing the declaration requesting the recount so requests. No examination of any ballot shall include touching or handling the ballot without the express consent of the elections official or the election officer supervising the special recount board. No ballot may be touched or handled during the examination unless the elections official or the elections officer supervising the special recount is present to observe the examination. Except as provided in this section no ballot shall be touched or handled by any person during the recount unless that person is the elections official, a person acting at the direction of the elections official, a member of the special recount board, or by order of the superior court. (Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

ballotsrecountelections officialspecial recount boardsuperior court

Related Statutes

  • § 15625 Recount Board Procedures
  • § 15626 Recount Timeline Requirements
  • § 15628 Recount Notice Requirements
  • § 15631 Ballot Challenge Procedures
  • § 15633 Recount Results Posting

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 15630.
View Official Source