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HomeElections CodeDiv. 17Ch. 6§ 17503 Election Precinct Records Retention

§ 17503 Election Precinct Records Retention

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

§ 17503 Election Precinct Records Retention

This law says that for state or local elections (that don’t also have federal races on the same ballot), the election officials have to keep all the paperwork about who was chosen to run the voting places for six months after the election.

Key Takeaways

  • •Only applies to elections that are purely state or local – not ones that also let you vote for federal offices.
  • •The elections official must keep a list of records about precinct officers and polling places.
  • •All those records have to be saved for six months after the election day.

Example

A town holds a mayoral election that is only for the town (no president or congress seats on the same ballot). After the vote, the county clerk saves the forms that show who was appointed to each precinct board, their applications, and the orders that set up the polling places.

Because the election is just a local one, the clerk must hold onto all those appointment and polling‑place documents for half a year, so anyone can check who was in charge if there’s a question later.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 17503 Election Precinct Records Retention

(a) The following provisions shall apply to all state or local elections not provided for in subdivision (a) of Section 17502. An election is not deemed a state or local election if votes for candidates for federal office may be cast on the same ballot as votes for candidates for state or local office. (b) The elections official shall preserve the following records reflecting the appointment of precinct officials until six months from the date of an election. (1) Precinct officers’ declaration of intention required by Section 12321. (2) Precinct board member applications specified in Section 12300. (3) Order appointing members of the several precinct boards and designating the polling places specified in Section 12286. (4) Nominations for appointment to the precinct board by the county central committee of each qualified political party specified in Section 12306. (5) Written orders appointing precinct board members or designating the polling place for the precinct pursuant to Section 12327. (Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 810, Sec. 24. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

state or local electionsprecinct officialssix monthsdeclaration of intentionappointment orders

Related Statutes

  • § 17502 Federal Election Record Retention
  • § 13500 Partisan Primary Election Rules
  • § 13501 Voter Party Preference Rules
  • § 13502 Voter Party Ballot Requests
  • § 13502.5 No Party Preference Ballot Notice

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 17503.
View Official Source