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HomeElections CodeDiv. 15Ch. 9Art. 5§ 15646 Statewide Recount Procedures

§ 15646 Statewide Recount Procedures

Elections Code·California
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AI SummaryVerified

§ 15646 Statewide Recount Procedures

This law tells how a recount works when the governor or secretary of state orders one: the state tells every county to recount all votes for the office or measure, check any rejected ballots, let the public watch, and finish the recount by a set deadline.

Key Takeaways

  • •The Secretary of State must tell every county to recount all votes for the office or ballot measure when a recount is ordered.
  • •Counties must also review any ballots that were rejected before, and the review must be open for the public to see.
  • •Recounts must be finished quickly: for primaries, three business days before the certified candidate list; for general elections, within 60 days of the order.

Example

A very close governor race triggers a recount order from the governor. The secretary of state sends a notice to every county, each county recounts every vote for the governor, looks again at any ballots that were thrown out before, and lets campaign volunteers and other people watch the review. The county finishes the recount within 60 days.

The state follows the steps in the law: notify counties, recount all votes, re‑examine rejected ballots in public, and meet the 60‑day deadline for a general election recount.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15646 Statewide Recount Procedures

(a) Upon the Governor or Secretary of State ordering a recount pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 15645, the Secretary of State shall notify the elections official of each county and shall direct the county elections officials to recount all the votes cast for the office or for and against the state ballot measure. (b) (1) While conducting a recount pursuant to Section 15645, a county elections official shall also review ballots rejected pursuant to Section 15154 to ensure that no ballots were improperly discarded during the initial canvass. (2) The process of reviewing rejected ballots pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be open to members of the public, including persons associated with a campaign or measure. (c)  The elections official in each county shall complete a recount pursuant to this section as follows: (1) In a primary election, by three business days before the Secretary of State issues the certified list of candidates for the associated general election pursuant to Section 8148. (2) In a general election, within 60 days of the Governor or Secretary of State ordering the recount. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 479, Sec. 12. (AB 1762) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

rec

Related Statutes

  • § 15645 Statewide Vote Recount Rules
  • § 15647 Article 3 Application Rules
  • § 15648 Secretary'S Rulemaking Authority
  • § 15649 Recount Funding Requirements
  • § 15600 Election Recount Procedures

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 15646.
View Official Source