Following each general election, the county elections official shall file copies of all precinct maps with the Secretary of State. If there is no change in the precinct maps from those maps that are currently on file, in lieu of filing copies of those maps with the Secretary of State, the elections official may submit a written statement informing the Secretary of State of that fact. The Secretary of State shall maintain a file of all the copies for 12 years and shall, upon request, make them available for examination.
Chapter 6Miscellaneous Provisions
Section § 17501
After each general election, the county elections official must send copies of all precinct maps to the Secretary of State. If the maps haven't changed since the last submission, the official can simply notify the Secretary with a written statement. The Secretary of State has to keep these maps on file for 12 years and let people look at them if they ask.
precinct maps Secretary of State county elections official general election filing requirements no change notification election maps map examination 12-year retention document filing post-election procedure election records management map availability
Section § 17502
This section outlines the rules for record-keeping related to elections for high-profile federal offices such as President and Congress members. Election officials must keep certain records about precinct officers and polling places for 22 months after an election. These records include declarations of intention, applications, appointment orders, nominations by political parties, and written orders for precinct board members and polling locations.
(a)CA Elections Code § 17502(a) The following provisions shall apply to those elections where candidates for one or more of the following offices are voted upon: President, Vice President, United States Senator, and United States Representative.
(b)CA Elections Code § 17502(b) The elections official shall preserve the following records reflecting the appointment of precinct officials until 22 months from the date of any election.
(1)CA Elections Code § 17502(b)(1) Precinct officers’ declaration of intention required by Section 12321.
(2)CA Elections Code § 17502(b)(2) Precinct board member applications specified in Section 12300.
(3)CA Elections Code § 17502(b)(3) Order appointing members of the several precinct boards and designating the polling places specified in Section 12286.
(4)CA Elections Code § 17502(b)(4) Nominations for appointment to the precinct board by the county central committee of each qualified political party specified in Section 12306.
(5)CA Elections Code § 17502(b)(5) Written orders appointing precinct board members or designating the polling place for the precinct pursuant to Section 12327.
election records preservation precinct officers polling places federal elections declaration of intention precinct board applications appointment orders political party nominations precinct board members 22-month record retention election officials order designating polling places county central committee qualified political parties record-keeping requirements
Section § 17503
This law details the rules for preserving records related to the appointment of precinct officials in state and local elections where federal candidates are not on the ballot. Elections officials must keep these records for six months following the election. The records include precinct officers’ declarations of intention, applications for precinct board members, orders appointing precinct boards, nominations by political party committees, and written orders about precinct board appointments or polling place designations.
(a)CA Elections Code § 17503(a) The following provisions shall apply to all state or local elections not provided for in subdivision (a) of Section 17502. An election is not deemed a state or local election if votes for candidates for federal office may be cast on the same ballot as votes for candidates for state or local office.
(b)CA Elections Code § 17503(b) The elections official shall preserve the following records reflecting the appointment of precinct officials until six months from the date of an election.
(1)CA Elections Code § 17503(b)(1) Precinct officers’ declaration of intention required by Section 12321.
(2)CA Elections Code § 17503(b)(2) Precinct board member applications specified in Section 12300.
(3)CA Elections Code § 17503(b)(3) Order appointing members of the several precinct boards and designating the polling places specified in Section 12286.
(4)CA Elections Code § 17503(b)(4) Nominations for appointment to the precinct board by the county central committee of each qualified political party specified in Section 12306.
(5)CA Elections Code § 17503(b)(5) Written orders appointing precinct board members or designating the polling place for the precinct pursuant to Section 12327.
precinct officials record preservation state and local elections precinct officers’ declarations precinct board applications appointment orders polling place designation county central committee nominations precinct board appointments election records elections official duties six-month record retention ballot composition federal candidates exclusion precinct board nominations
Section § 17506
Elections officials must keep a list of new residents who voted under a specific chapter for 22 months after the election. This requirement will no longer be in effect after January 1, 2027, unless a new law changes that date.
(a)CA Elections Code § 17506(a) The elections official shall preserve the list of new resident voters voting pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 3400) of Division 3 for 22 months from the date of the election.
(b)CA Elections Code § 17506(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2027, deletes or extends that day.
new resident voters 22-month preservation voter list retention elections official voting records election date expiration date January 1 2027 statute repeal recordkeeping requirement voter registration Chapter 5 Division 3 Section 3400 California elections
