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HomeEducation CodeCh. 2Art. 2§ 5227 School District Election Costs

§ 5227 School District Election Costs

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

§ 5227 School District Election Costs

Key Takeaways

  • •If a school district's elections are held on a different day than city elections, the school district pays the full cost of its own elections.
  • •If school elections happen on the same day as city elections, the costs are split fairly between the city and the school district based on how many offices and questions are being voted on.
  • •If multiple school districts share the same area, they split the election costs equally.
  • •The city gets paid back by the school districts for any election costs it covers.

Example

A city holds its mayoral election on the same day as the school board election. The city has 3 offices to fill (mayor, city council, treasurer), and the school district has 2 offices to fill (school board members).

The city and school district will split the election costs based on how many offices each has. The city has 3 offices, and the school district has 2, so the city pays for 3 parts of the cost, and the school district pays for 2 parts.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5227 School District Election Costs

In those cases in which the boundaries of the school district, high school district, or community college district, governed by a city board of education, are not coterminous with the boundaries of the city, and where elections, either primary, general, or recall, of members of the board of education are by the provisions of the laws governing the cities held at times other than on the day of municipal elections, general or special, the cost and expense of the district elections shall be a legal charge against the funds of the district or districts governed by the board of education. The city shall be reimbursed by the district or districts for its actual cost and expense incurred in the conduct of the election or elections. The cost and expense of conducting the election in territory common to two or more districts shall be borne by the districts in equal shares. In territory within a single district the cost shall be borne by the district. In those cases in which the school district, high school district, or community college district is governed by a city board of education, and elections, either primary, general, or recall, of members of the board of education are by the provisions of the laws governing the cities held on the same day as municipal elections, general or special, a proportionate part of the actual cost and expense of the election shall be a legal charge against the school districts governed by the board of education. The city shall be reimbursed for the proportionate cost and expense incurred in the conduct of the election. The cost and expense of the elections within the boundaries of the city shall be apportioned between the city and the districts in the ratio that the total number of offices to be filled and propositions to be voted upon by the electors of the city and the school district or districts, respectively, bears to the total number of offices to be filled and propositions submitted. The cost and expense of the election in territory outside of the municipal boundaries shall be borne by the districts affected. As between the districts, costs and expense shall be apportioned as follows: In territory common to two or more districts the cost of conducting the election shall be borne in equal shares, and in territory within a single district the cost shall be borne by the district. (Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

educationelectionschoolportcommunity

Related Statutes

  • § 5228 Community College Ward Elections
  • § 5201 Charter Control Of Schools
  • § 66010.4 Higher Education Mission Differentiation
  • § 66010.5 Public Service Responsibility
  • § 69514.5 Community College Financial Aid Training

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 5227.
View Official Source