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HomeElections CodeDiv. 10Pt. 2Ch. 2Art. 4§ 10262 Election Canvass Certification Deadlines

§ 10262 Election Canvass Certification Deadlines

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

§ 10262 Election Canvass Certification Deadlines

This law says the elections official has to finish counting all the votes (the canvass) and officially announce the results by a set deadline, and the city council must then act on those results.

Key Takeaways

  • •The elections official does the vote count (the canvass).
  • •For most elections, the canvass must be finished by the fourth Friday after Election Day.
  • •For a consolidated election, the city elections official must certify the results by the next regular city council meeting after the 28‑day canvass.
  • •The governing body (city council) must follow Section 10263 after receiving the certification.

Example

A city holds a mayoral election on Tuesday. The elections official counts all the ballots and finishes the canvass by the fourth Friday after the election, then sends a written certification of the winner to the city council.

The elections official follows the rule that the canvass must be done by the fourth Friday, and the council then uses that certified result to move forward with any next steps required by law.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10262 Election Canvass Certification Deadlines

The canvass shall be conducted by the elections official. Sections 15302 and 15303 shall govern the conduct of the canvass. Upon the completion of the canvass, the elections official shall certify the results to the governing body. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the canvass shall be completed by the elections official no later than the fourth Friday after the election. Upon completion of the canvass, the elections official shall certify the results to the governing body which shall, no later than the fourth Friday after the election, comply with the applicable provisions of Section 10263. (b) For a consolidated election, the city elections official, upon receipt of the results of the election from the elections official conducting the election, shall certify the results to the governing body which shall, no later than the next regularly scheduled city council meeting following presentation of the 28-day canvass of the returns, or at a special meeting called for this purpose, comply with the applicable provisions of Section 10263. (Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 785, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2005.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

canvasselections officialgoverning bodyconsolidated election28-day canvass

Related Statutes

  • § 10263 Election Results Certification
  • § 10264 Election Results Recording
  • § 2155.4 Voter Registration Confirmation Notice
  • § 10240 Election Ballot Preparation
  • § 10260 Election Vote Counting Procedures

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 10262.
View Official Source