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HomeElections CodeDiv. 12Ch. 3Art. 3§ 12241 Election Precinct Consolidation Rules

§ 12241 Election Precinct Consolidation Rules

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

§ 12241 Election Precinct Consolidation Rules

This law lets the elections official redraw and combine precincts for special or consolidated elections, merging up to six old precincts into one and changing them whenever needed.

Key Takeaways

  • •Officials can change precinct boundaries for special or consolidated elections whenever needed.
  • •No more than six existing precincts can be merged into a single special election precinct.
  • •The polling place for a merged precinct must be located inside the new precinct’s boundaries.
  • •The rule started working on January 1, 2005.

Example

A city holds a special election to fill a vacant council seat and decides to combine three nearby precincts into one larger precinct so that a single school can serve as the polling place.

The elections official can merge those three precincts into one, pick the school inside the new area as the polling place, and can do this for the special election even if the precincts were separate before.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12241 Election Precinct Consolidation Rules

(a) The elections official conducting local, special, or consolidated elections, or statewide elections other than the direct primary, presidential primary, or general election, for the purpose of the election, may divide the territory within which the election is to be held into special election or consolidated election precincts by consolidating existing precincts, or otherwise, subject to Section 12222, and may change and alter the precincts for those elections as often as occasion requires. Not more than six existing precincts may be consolidated into one special election or consolidated election precinct. The polling place used for a consolidated precinct shall be located within the boundaries of the consolidated precinct. (b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2005. (Repealed (in Sec. 4) and added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 904, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2002. Section operative January 1, 2005, by its own provisions.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

special election precinctsconsolidated election precinctspolling placeSection 12222

Related Statutes

  • § 14245 Voter Duplicate Ballot Oath
  • § 15250 Voting Machine Polling Rules
  • § 11240 Recall Election Order Issuance
  • § 11241 Recall Election Date Setting
  • § 11242 Election Timing Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 12241.
View Official Source