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HomeElections CodeDiv. 19Ch. 3Art. 1§ 19204 Voter Ballot Copy Prohibition

§ 19204 Voter Ballot Copy Prohibition

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

§ 19204 Voter Ballot Copy Prohibition

This law stops election officials from approving voting machines that let a voter take a copy or look-alike of their ballot out of the polling place.

Key Takeaways

  • •Voting machines cannot let voters keep a physical or digital copy of their ballot.
  • •The rule applies to any feature that creates a copy or facsimile of the ballot.
  • •Election officials must ensure machines meet this restriction before they can be used.

Example

A voter uses a touchscreen voting machine that prints a receipt of their vote and lets them keep it.

Because the machine lets the voter leave with a printed copy of the ballot, the voting system would not be allowed under this rule.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19204 Voter Ballot Copy Prohibition

The Secretary of State shall not certify or conditionally approve any voting system that includes features that permit a voter to produce, and leave the polling place with, a copy or facsimile of the ballot cast by the voter at that polling place. (Added by renumbering Section 19200.5 by Stats. 2013, Ch. 602, Sec. 11. (SB 360) Effective January 1, 2014.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

Secretary of Statecertifyconditionally approvevoting systemcopy or facsimile of the ballot

Related Statutes

  • § 19203 Voting System Paper Requirements
  • § 19200 Voting System Approval Requirements
  • § 19201 Voting System Conditional Approval
  • § 19202 Voting System Certification Requirements
  • § 19207 Election Voting System Approval

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 19204.
View Official Source