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HomeElections CodeDiv. 13Ch. 1§ 13005 Ballot Card Purchase Release

§ 13005 Ballot Card Purchase Release

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

§ 13005 Ballot Card Purchase Release

This law says you have to ask in writing for permission before you can buy ballot cards, and the Secretary of State must give a written release for the exact number you need. You can also ask by phone, but you must get a written confirmation right away, and no one can make ballot cards without that release.

Key Takeaways

  • •You must request a specific number of ballot cards in writing.
  • •The Secretary of State must issue a written release for that exact number.
  • •A verbal request is okay only if it is immediately followed by a written confirmation.
  • •No one can manufacture ballot cards without a written release.

Example

A local political group wants to print 5,000 ballot cards for an upcoming election.

The group writes a letter to the Secretary of State asking for a release for 5,000 cards. If the request is approved, the Secretary sends a written release to the printer and the group. The printer can then make the cards. If the group only called the Secretary and didn’t get a written note confirming the request, the printer cannot make the cards.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 13005 Ballot Card Purchase Release

(a) Before a user may purchase ballot cards, the user shall request in writing a release for a specific quantity of these ballot cards from the Secretary of State. If the request is in order, the Secretary of State shall issue a written release for that quantity to the manufacturer, or to the authorized warehouse, and to the user. The format, text, and use of the request and release shall be governed by regulations adopted by the Secretary of State. (b) Nothing in this section prohibits a verbal request or verbal release, provided that this verbal request or verbal release is immediately confirmed in writing. The regulations shall expressly deny the manufacturing of ballot cards without a specific release. (Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 333, Sec. 3. (SB 1404) Effective January 1, 2011.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

ballot cardswritten requestwritten releaseSecretary of Stateverbal requestverbal release

Related Statutes

  • § 13002 Ballot Security Features
  • § 13004 Ballot Card Manufacturing Rules
  • § 13006 Ballot Storage Authorization Rules
  • § 3014 Voter Replacement Ballot Request
  • § 11 Election Officials Uniformity Meetings

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 13005.
View Official Source