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HomeElections CodeDiv. 15Ch. 4Art. 1§ 15302 Election Ballot Reconciliation

§ 15302 Election Ballot Reconciliation

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

§ 15302 Election Ballot Reconciliation

This law says the official vote count must include a bunch of checks, like looking at returned supplies, matching signatures to ballots, fixing any mismatches, counting mail and provisional votes, and reporting the final numbers.

Key Takeaways

  • •All materials and supplies used by poll workers must be checked after the election.
  • •The number of signatures on the voter list must match the number of ballots recorded.
  • •If there’s a mismatch, the office must compare the ballots received from each polling place to the ballots actually cast.
  • •Mail‑in, provisional, and write‑in votes that were missed the first time must be counted before the final report.
  • •The final vote totals are sent to the governing board and the Secretary of State.

Example

After a city council election, the election office gets back all the ballot boxes, the list of poll workers, and the paperwork showing who signed up to vote.

The office will inspect the supplies, compare the signatures on the voter list to the ballots, fix any differences, count any mail‑in or provisional ballots that were missed, and then send the final results to the city board and the Secretary of State.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15302 Election Ballot Reconciliation

The official canvass shall include, but not be limited to, the following tasks: (a) An inspection of all materials and supplies returned by poll workers. (b) A reconciliation of the number of signatures on the roster with the number of ballots recorded on the ballot statement. (c) In the event of a discrepancy in the reconciliation required by subdivision (b), the number of ballots received from each polling place shall be reconciled with the number of ballots cast, as indicated on the ballot statement. (d) A reconciliation of the number of ballots counted, spoiled, canceled, or invalidated due to identifying marks, overvotes, or as otherwise provided by statute, with the number of votes recorded, including vote by mail and provisional ballots, by the vote counting system. (e) Processing and counting any valid vote by mail and provisional ballots not included in the semifinal official canvass. (f) Counting any valid write-in votes. (g) Reproducing any damaged ballots, if necessary. (h) Reporting final results to the governing board and the Secretary of State, as required. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 508, Sec. 101. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

portsecretaryreconciliationthe officialstatementinspection

Related Statutes

  • § 9302 Initiative Petition Notice Requirements
  • § 9315 Initiative Argument Distribution Rules
  • § 12302 Precinct Board Member Eligibility
  • § 13303 Voter Information Guide Mailing
  • § 15372 Election Results Certification

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 15302.
View Official Source