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HomeElections CodeDiv. 19Ch. 3Art. 1§ 19217 Voting System Security Enforcement

§ 19217 Voting System Security Enforcement

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

§ 19217 Voting System Security Enforcement

This law lets the Secretary of State step in and stop a voting system if someone adds or removes hardware, software, or firmware without permission, or if there’s a known defect that wasn’t reported.

Key Takeaways

  • •Any change to voting equipment (hardware, software, or firmware) must be approved first.
  • •Known problems with voting equipment have to be reported; if they aren’t, the state can act.
  • •The Secretary of State can get a court order or use administrative power to fix or stop the problem.

Example

A county upgrades its voting machines by installing new software that was never approved by the state.

Because the upgrade wasn’t approved, the Secretary of State can order the county to stop using the machines until the issue is fixed.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19217 Voting System Security Enforcement

The Secretary of State may seek injunctive and administrative relief if a voting system or a part of a voting system has been compromised by the addition or deletion of hardware, software, or firmware without prior approval or is defective due to a known hardware, software, or firmware defect, fault, or failure that has not been disclosed pursuant to Section 19210 or 19215. (Added by renumbering Section 19214 by Stats. 2013, Ch. 602, Sec. 28. (SB 360) Effective January 1, 2014.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

injunctive and administrative reliefvoting systemhardware, software, or firmwaredefect, fault, or failureSection 19210 or 19215

Related Statutes

  • § 19200 Voting System Approval Requirements
  • § 19201 Voting System Conditional Approval
  • § 19202 Voting System Certification Requirements
  • § 19203 Voting System Paper Requirements
  • § 19204 Voter Ballot Copy Prohibition

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 19217.
View Official Source