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HomeElections CodeDiv. 19Ch. 3.5§ 19281 Remote Vote By Mail Certification

§ 19281 Remote Vote By Mail Certification

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

§ 19281 Remote Vote By Mail Certification

This law says a mail‑in voting system that can be used remotely must be approved by the Secretary of State before it is used for the first election.

Key Takeaways

  • •The system must be certified or conditionally approved before the first election it will be used in.
  • •The Secretary of State can add extra conditions for the certification.
  • •Any other use of the system must follow the rules in Section 19202.

Example

A county wants to let voters fill out their ballot at home and mail it in using a new online platform.

Before any voter can use that platform, the county has to get a certification or conditional approval from the Secretary of State, who can also add extra rules the system must follow.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19281 Remote Vote By Mail Certification

(a) A remote accessible vote by mail system, in whole or in part, shall not be used unless it has been certified or conditionally approved by the Secretary of State before the election at which it is to be first used. The Secretary of State may impose additional conditions of approval as deemed necessary for the certification of the remote accessible vote by mail system. (b) All other uses of a remote accessible vote by mail system shall be subject to the provisions of Section 19202. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 605, Sec. 14. (SB 1328) Effective September 25, 2024.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

remote accessible vote by mail systemcertified or conditionally approvedSecretary of StateSection 19202

Related Statutes

  • § 19287 Remote Voting System Certification
  • § 19290 Remote Voting System Defects
  • § 19291 Remote Voting System Changes
  • § 19293 Vote System Tampering Penalties
  • § 19280 Remote Vote System Certification

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 19281.
View Official Source