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HomeElections CodeDiv. 1Ch. 1§ 1003 Election Exemption Rules

§ 1003 Election Exemption Rules

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

§ 1003 Election Exemption Rules

This law says that the rules in this chapter don’t work for certain kinds of elections that are listed.

Key Takeaways

  • •Special elections called by the Governor are excluded.
  • •Elections in chartered cities or counties that have different rules are excluded.
  • •School board elections that are combined with other elections or started by a petition are excluded.
  • •Any election that is only done by mail is excluded.
  • •County, city, district, and school district initiative, referendum, or recall elections are excluded.

Example

The Governor decides to hold a special election for a state office.

Because the election is a special one called by the Governor, the chapter’s rules don’t apply to it.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1003 Election Exemption Rules

This chapter shall not apply to the following: (a) Any special election called by the Governor. (b) Elections held in chartered cities or chartered counties in which the charter provisions are inconsistent with this chapter. (c) School governing board elections consolidated pursuant to Section 1302.2 or initiated by petition pursuant to Section 5091 of the Education Code. (d) Elections of any kind required or permitted to be held by a school district located in a chartered city or county when the election is consolidated with a regular city or county election held in a jurisdiction that includes 95 percent or more of the school district’s population. (e) County, municipal, district, and school district initiative, referendum, or recall elections. (f) Any election conducted solely by mailed ballot pursuant to Division 4 (commencing with Section 4000). (g) Elections held pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 15100) of Chapter 1, or pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 15340) of Chapter 2 of, Part 10 of the Education Code. (Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1081, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

special electionchartered citieschartered countiesschool governing board electionsinitiativereferendumrecall electionsmailed ballot

Related Statutes

  • § 9007 Initiative Measure Legislative Review
  • § 10004 Special District Election Failure
  • § 10701 Filling Legislative Vacancies
  • § 10702 Special Election Candidate Procedures
  • § 10703 Special Election Vacancy Timing

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 1003.
View Official Source