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HomeElections CodeDiv. 16Ch. 7Art. 3§ 16640 Election Recount Judge Assistance

§ 16640 Election Recount Judge Assistance

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

§ 16640 Election Recount Judge Assistance

This law lets a county that only has one superior court judge bring in extra judges when there are a lot of votes or contests to recount, so the work can be finished in time for printing the ballots.

Key Takeaways

  • •If many votes or contests need a recount, the judge can ask for extra judges.
  • •This only applies in counties that normally have only one superior court judge.
  • •When another judge is added, the recount follows the same procedures as in counties with multiple judges.

Example

A small county with just one judge has to recount votes for three different races after an election. The judge thinks they won’t finish before the next election’s ballots need to be printed.

The judge can ask another superior court judge to help, and they will follow the same rules that larger counties use when they have more than one judge.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 16640 Election Recount Judge Assistance

If the number of votes that are sought to be recounted or the number of contests are such that the judge in a county in which there is but one superior court judge is of the opinion that it will require additional judges to enable the contest or contests to be determined in time to print the ballots for the election, he or she may obtain the service of any other superior judge, and the proceedings shall be the same as provided for a county in which there is more than one superior court judge. (Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

votescontestssuperior court judgeadditional judgesballots

Related Statutes

  • § 16641 Judicial Assignment For Recounts
  • § 16642 Judicial Recount Assignment Rules
  • § 16601 Ballot Recount Procedures
  • § 16643 Recount Procedures And Assistants
  • § 18620 Initiative Measure Bribery Ban

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 16640.
View Official Source