§ 15205 Ballot Counter Qualifications

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says only people who aren't running for office and who either qualify as precinct board members or work for the election board can count ballots, and they don’t have to live in the precinct they’re counting for.

Key Takeaways

•You can’t count ballots if you’re a candidate in that election.
•You must either have the same qualifications as a precinct board member or be a deputy/employee of the governing board or elections official.
•You don’t have to live in the precinct where you’re counting the votes.

Example

Maria works as an employee for the county elections office. She is not a candidate in the upcoming mayoral race.

Because Maria works for the elections office, she can be hired to count and certify the votes even though she lives in a different precinct from where the votes are being counted.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 15205 Ballot Counter Qualifications

(a) A person may be employed to count, tally, and certify the ballots if he or she is not a candidate at the election and if he or she satisfies either of the following requirements: (1) Has the qualifications required for a precinct board member. (2) Is a deputy or employee of either of the following: (A) The governing board. (B) The elections official. (b) No person selected to count ballots need reside in any particular precinct. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1073, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 1999.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

count tally certify the ballots precinct board member governing board elections official

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 15205.

§ 15205 Ballot Counter Qualifications

Elections Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 15205 Ballot Counter Qualifications

Key Takeaways

•You can’t count ballots if you’re a candidate in that election.
•You must either have the same qualifications as a precinct board member or be a deputy/employee of the governing board or elections official.
•You don’t have to live in the precinct where you’re counting the votes.

Example

Maria works as an employee for the county elections office. She is not a candidate in the upcoming mayoral race.

Because Maria works for the elections office, she can be hired to count and certify the votes even though she lives in a different precinct from where the votes are being counted.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 15205 Ballot Counter Qualifications

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

count tally certify the ballots precinct board member governing board elections official

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 15205.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References