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HomeElections CodeDiv. 19Ch. 4Art. 4§ 19360 Voting Machine Pre-Election Check

§ 19360 Voting Machine Pre-Election Check

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

§ 19360 Voting Machine Pre-Election Check

This law tells the precinct board to make sure the voting machine counters start at zero before the election and to subtract that starting number from the final count when the polls close.

Key Takeaways

  • •The board must match the seal numbers on the envelope, machine, and protective counter before opening anything.
  • •All counters must read zero (000) before the election starts.
  • •If the numbers don’t match, the board must write and post a statement about the problem.
  • •When the polls close, the board subtracts the opening number from the closing number to get the vote total.

Example

A precinct board checks a voting machine before the election, sees the counters all read 000, and after the election the machine shows 428 votes.

Because the counters started at zero, the board just records the final number (428) as the votes cast. If the counters had started at a different number, they would subtract the start number from the final number.

How to Calculate

Reported Votes = Closing Counter – Opening Counter

  1. Write down the number the counter shows before the election (Opening Counter).
  2. Write down the number the counter shows after the polls close (Closing Counter).
  3. Subtract the Opening Counter from the Closing Counter.
  4. The result is the number of votes to report.

The board checks the machine before voting and sees 000. After voting, the machine reads 587.

Result: Reported Votes = 587 – 0 = 587

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19360 Voting Machine Pre-Election Check

Before unsealing the envelope containing the keys and opening the doors concealing the counters the precinct board shall determine that the number on the seal on the machine and the number registered on the protective counter correspond to the numbers on the envelope. Each member of the precinct board shall then carefully examine the counters to see that each registers zero (000). If the machine is provided with embossing, printing, or photography devices that record the readings of the counters the board shall, instead of opening the counter compartment, cause a “before election proofsheet” to be produced and determined by it that all counters register zero (000). If any discrepancy is found in the numbers registered on the counters or the “before election proofsheet” the precinct board shall make, sign, and post a written statement attesting to this fact. In filling out the statement of return of votes cast, the precinct board shall subtract any number shown on the counter from the number shown on the counter at the close of the polls. (Enacted by Stats. 1994, Ch. 920, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

precinct boardcountersbefore election proofsheetdiscrepancy

Related Statutes

  • § 14420 Ballot Handling And Counting
  • § 19361 Voting Machine Key Handling
  • § 11381 Recall Candidate Nomination Rules
  • § 11382 Local Officer Recall Vacancy
  • § 11383 Recall Election Failure Outcome

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 19360.
View Official Source