What Is in California’s Elections Code?

The California Elections Code is one of 29 Codes that contain state statutes. The Elections Code contains several sections of general provisions, followed by 22 Divisions. There are also numerous parts, chapters, and articles containing hundreds of code sections, or individual statutes. The following is a broad overview of the Elections Code.

ELECTIONS CODE

DIVISION 0.5. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS [1 – 362]

There are 4 Chapters.

DIVISION 1. ESTABLISHED ELECTION DATES [1000 – 1500]

There are 6 Chapters.

DIVISION 2. VOTERS [2000 – 2700]

There are 11 Chapters and 13 Articles.

DIVISION 3. VOTE BY MAIL VOTING, NEW RESIDENT, AND NEW CITIZEN VOTING [3000 – 3503]

There are 5 Chapters.

DIVISION 4. MAIL BALLOT ELECTIONS [4000 – 4108]

There are 2 Chapters.

DIVISION 5. POLITICAL PARTY QUALIFICATIONS [5000 – 5200]

There are 4 Chapters.

DIVISION 6. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS [6000 – 6954]

There are 2 Parts, 10 Chapters, and 41 Articles.

DIVISION 7. POLITICAL PARTY ORGANIZATION AND CENTRAL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS [7000 – 7928]

There are 6 Parts, 20 Chapters, and 28 Articles.

DIVISION 8. NOMINATIONS [8000 – 8903]

There are 5 Parts, 11 Chapters, and 10 Articles.

DIVISION 9. MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS [9000 – 9610]

There are 7 Chapters and 22 Articles.

DIVISION 10. LOCAL, SPECIAL, VACANCY, AND CONSOLIDATED ELECTIONS [10000 – 10735]

There are 7 Parts, 8 Chapters, and 5 Articles.

DIVISION 11. RECALL ELECTIONS [11000 – 11386]

There are 4 Chapters and 10 Articles.

DIVISION 12. PREELECTION PROCEDURES [12000 – 12327]

There are 4 Chapters and 6 Articles.

DIVISION 13. BALLOTS, SAMPLE BALLOTS, AND VOTER PAMPHLETS [13000 – 13502]

There are 6 Chapters and 5 Articles.

DIVISION 14. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES [14000 – 14443]

There are 6 Chapters and 10 Articles.

DIVISION 15. SEMIFINAL OFFICIAL CANVASS, OFFICIAL CANVASS, RECOUNT, AND TIE VOTE PROCEDURES [15000 – 15702]

There are 12 Chapters and 25 Articles.

DIVISION 16. ELECTIONS CONTESTS [16000 – 16940]

There are 10 Chapters and 16 Articles.

DIVISION 17. RETENTION AND PRESERVATION OF ELECTION RECORDS [17000 – 17506]

There are 6 Chapters.

DIVISION 18. PENAL PROVISIONS [18000 – 18700]

There are 8 Chapters and 22 Articles.

DIVISION 19. CERTIFICATION OF VOTING SYSTEMS [19001 – 19402]

There are 6 Chapters and 12 Articles.

DIVISION 20. ELECTION CAMPAIGNS [20000 – 20502]

There are 6 Chapters and 5 Articles.

DIVISION 21. STATE AND LOCAL REAPPORTIONMENT [21000 – 23004]

There are 7 Chapters and 2 Articles.