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HomeElections CodeDiv. 0.5Ch. 4§ 301 Ballot Presentation Requirements

§ 301 Ballot Presentation Requirements

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

§ 301 Ballot Presentation Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •A ballot is the list of people and things you can vote for in an election.
  • •Ballots can be paper cards where you mark your choices with a pen or pencil.
  • •Ballots can also be on a computer or machine where you touch the screen to pick your choices.
  • •If you use a computer to vote, it will print out your choices so you can check them.

Example

You go to vote in an election for mayor and some new school rules.

You might get a piece of paper with the names of the mayor candidates and the school rules. You fill in the circles next to your choices. Or, you might use a computer where you touch the names on the screen, and then it prints out what you picked so you can make sure it’s right.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 301 Ballot Presentation Requirements

(a) A “ballot” is the presentation of the contests consisting of offices and measures, and the candidates and choices to be voted on. (b) The ballot presentations shall include either of the following: (1) One or more ballot cards, as defined in Section 302, upon which are printed the names of candidates for each contest and the ballot titles of measures to be voted on by marking the designated area and that are tabulated manually or by optical scanning equipment. The ballot card may include visual graphics and instructions. (2) An electronic voting system, certified or conditionally approved by the Secretary of State, upon which the names of the candidates for each contest and the ballot titles of measures to be voted on are selected by touching the screen or using other physical controls. The electronic voting system shall print the selections made by the voter, which may be in the form of a list or facsimile of a marked preprinted ballot. (Repealed and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 676, Sec. 2. (AB 1219) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

ballotballot cardselectronic voting systemSecretary of State

Related Statutes

  • § 13314 Ballot Error Legal Challenge
  • § 6724 Candidate Ballot Withdrawal
  • § 11301 Petition Signature Examination Rules
  • § 11320 Recall Election Ballot Requirements
  • § 11381 Recall Candidate Nomination Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 301.
View Official Source