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HomeElections CodeDiv. 19Ch. 4Art. 4§ 19361 Voting Machine Key Handling

§ 19361 Voting Machine Key Handling

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

§ 19361 Voting Machine Key Handling

This law says voting machine keys must be delivered to the polling place 12 hours before voting starts, and they must be kept secure until two people check them together.

Key Takeaways

  • •Voting machine keys must arrive 12 hours before polls open.
  • •The keys must be in a sealed envelope with details like the machine number and seal number.
  • •Two people must be present to open the envelope and check it.
  • •After voting ends, the keys go back in the envelope with the same details written on it.

Example

A polling place is getting ready for an election.

The keys to the voting machines must arrive in a sealed envelope 12 hours before voting starts. Two people must be there to open it and check that nothing was tampered with.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19361 Voting Machine Key Handling

The keys to the voting machines shall be delivered to the precinct board no later than 12 hours before the opening of the polls. They shall be in an envelope upon which is written the designation and location of the election precinct, the number of the voting machine, the number on the seal, and the number registered on the protective counter. The precinct board member receiving the key shall sign a receipt. The envelope shall not be opened until at least two members of the precinct board are present to determine that the envelope has not been opened. At the close of the polls the keys shall be placed in the envelope supplied by the official and the number of the machine, the number of the seal, the number registered on the protective counter, shall be written on the envelope. (Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

keys to the voting machinesprecinct boardenvelopedesignation and location of the election precinctnumber of the voting machinenumber on the sealnumber registered on the protective counter

Related Statutes

  • § 19360 Voting Machine Pre-Election Check
  • § 14272 Voter Booth Instruction Requirements
  • § 14275 Voter Ballot Secrecy Procedure
  • § 11381 Recall Candidate Nomination Rules
  • § 11382 Local Officer Recall Vacancy

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 19361.
View Official Source