Article 2General Provisions for Bond Elections
Section § 15120
This section explains the rules around school district elections related to a specific chapter. Elections must follow certain procedures unless exceptions are noted. Additionally, once an election for this purpose happens in a school district, no similar election can occur there for at least 90 days.
Section § 15121
This law allows elections related to specific sections of the Education Code to be combined with other types of elections. This can be done by following the rules set out in a particular part of the Elections Code.
Section § 15122
When there's a vote on whether to issue bonds, the ballot must say something like "Bonds—Yes" and "Bonds—No." The ballot should also include a short description that explains how much money the bonds involve, the highest interest rate for the bonds, and what the money from selling the bonds will be used for. If there's a mistake in this description, it won't cancel the election unless the mistake is about the amount of the bonds.
Section § 15122.5
This section explains that when a school district in California is holding an election to issue bonds for school projects that need state funds to complete, the sample ballot must inform voters that just passing the bond measure doesn't ensure the project will be completed. The state's contribution depends on approval and legislative decisions. There's also specific wording required on the ballot to convey this uncertainty. However, these rules don't apply to bonds under the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act.
“Approval of Measure ____ does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the ____ School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure ____ will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure ____. The school district’s proposal for the project or projects may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.”
Section § 15123
If there's an election about school district or community college bonds, the ballots need to follow the same rules as those used for board member elections, plus a few extra specifications mentioned in this section.
Section § 15124
If two-thirds of voters approve issuing bonds, or if a majority approves bonds for school building repairs or replacement, the school board must record this result and certify it to the county supervisors. Then, the county's superintendent of schools sends the election result certificate to the county board of supervisors.
Section § 15125
If a joint school district wants to issue bonds, only the board of supervisors in the county where the district's school superintendent has authority needs to handle it. They can issue and sell the bonds without needing approval from boards in other counties involved. Also, officers from these other counties don't need to sign the bonds.
Section § 15126
This law says that if there is a small mistake or oversight during an election about whether a district can issue bonds, it won’t ruin the election or invalidate the bonds, as long as the mistake doesn't significantly impact the voters' rights or the rights of those paying taxes in the area.