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HomeElections CodeDiv. 4Ch. 1§ 4000 Mail Ballot Local Elections

§ 4000 Mail Ballot Local Elections

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

§ 4000 Mail Ballot Local Elections

Key Takeaways

  • •Some small elections can be done by mail instead of in person.
  • •The local government must agree to do the election by mail.
  • •The election must be on a special date set for mail-in elections.
  • •Only certain small elections or special votes (like water bonds or taxes) can be done this way.

Example

A small town with 800 voters wants to vote on a new tax for better schools.

The town can decide to send ballots by mail to all voters instead of making them go to a polling place. The town leaders must agree to do it this way, and the vote must happen on a special mail-in election date.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 4000 Mail Ballot Local Elections

A local, special, or consolidated election may be conducted wholly by mail provided that all of the following conditions apply: (a) The governing body of the local agency authorizes the use of mailed ballots for the election. (b) The election is held on an established mailed ballot election date pursuant to Section 1500. (c) The election is one of the following: (1) An election in which no more than 1,000 registered voters are eligible to participate. (2) An election on a measure or measures restricted to (A) the imposition of special taxes, or (B) expenditure limitation overrides, or (C) both (A) and (B), in a city, county, or special district with 5,000 or less registered voters calculated as of the time of the last report of registration by the county elections official to the Secretary of State. (3) An election on the issuance of a general obligation water bond in accordance with Section 12944.5 of the Water Code. (4) An election of the Directors of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District as authorized in Section 122 of Chapter 527 of the Statutes of 1977, known as the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Law. (5) An election of the Aliso Water Management Agency, or its affected member agencies, pursuant to Sections 13416 and 13417 of the Water Code. (6) An election of the San Jacinto Mountain Area Water Study Agency pursuant to Sections 13416 and 13417 of the Water Code. (7) An election of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District pursuant to Sections 13416 and 13417 of the Water Code. (8) An election or assessment ballot proceeding required or authorized by Article XIII C or XIII D of the California Constitution. However, when an assessment ballot proceeding is conducted by mail pursuant to this section, the following rules apply: (A) The proceeding shall be denominated an “assessment ballot proceeding” rather than an election. (B) Ballots shall be denominated “assessment ballots.” (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 286, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

mailed ballotsgoverning bodyspecial taxeswater bond

Related Statutes

  • § 10002 City Election Services Request
  • § 10004 Special District Election Failure
  • § 12001 Special Local Election Proclamation
  • § 1 Elections Code Title
  • § 10 Secretary Voter Registration Duties

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 4000.
View Official Source