The votes shall be counted, the result of the votes cast shall be posted, the supplies and records of the election shall be returned to the city elections official and shall be disposed of by him or her in accordance with the provisions of this code governing elections generally, so far as they may be applicable.
Regulations Governing Elections in CitiesCanvass of Ballots and Returns
Section § 10260
This section states that after an election in a city, the votes need to be counted and the results posted. All election materials and records should be returned to the city elections official, who will handle them according to general election rules.
vote counting election results posting results
Section § 10261
This law details the process for counting vote by mail ballots in city elections. A city elections official or canvassing board must start counting these votes as soon as the polls close on election day and continue for at least six hours each day until all ballots are counted. The results from these ballots are then added to the overall election results from regular voting precincts.
If a canvassing board is appointed, it must follow specific procedures unless they conflict with this section.
The city elections official, or a canvassing board appointed by him or her, shall count the votes cast by vote by mail voters. The city elections official or board shall commence this count as soon as the polls close on the day of election, and the count shall continue, for not less than six hours each day providing ballots remain to be counted, until all vote by mail voter ballots have been received within the time provided by law. The result of the vote by mail vote count shall be included with the canvass of returns from the precincts.
The canvassing board, if any, shall be appointed, and the vote by mail vote count shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 15000) of Division 15, insofar as that chapter is not inconsistent with this section.
vote by mail canvassing board city elections
Section § 10262
This law outlines how election results are finalized. The election official reviews and certifies results, which must be done by the fourth Friday after the election. Afterward, the local governing body must follow the rules in another section by this deadline. If the election is combined with others, a city official must certify and ensure compliance by the next city council meeting or a special meeting after a detailed review.
The canvass shall be conducted by the elections official. Sections 15302 and 15303 shall govern the conduct of the canvass. Upon the completion of the canvass, the elections official shall certify the results to the governing body.
(a)CA Elections Code § 10262(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the canvass shall be completed by the elections official no later than the fourth Friday after the election. Upon completion of the canvass, the elections official shall certify the results to the governing body which shall, no later than the fourth Friday after the election, comply with the applicable provisions of Section 10263.
(b)CA Elections Code § 10262(b) For a consolidated election, the city elections official, upon receipt of the results of the election from the elections official conducting the election, shall certify the results to the governing body which shall, no later than the next regularly scheduled city council meeting following presentation of the 28-day canvass of the returns, or at a special meeting called for this purpose, comply with the applicable provisions of Section 10263.
election canvass results certification elections official
Section § 10263
After an election is completed, local government leaders must officially recognize the winners by passing a resolution that summarizes the election results. For most elections, this meeting to announce results and install new officials must happen by the fourth Friday after the election.
If the election is part of a consolidated election, the announcement and installation can occur at the first regular city council meeting after the results are presented, or at a special meeting called for this purpose.
Upon the completion of the canvass and before installing the new officers, the governing body shall adopt a resolution reciting the fact of the election and the other matters that are enumerated in Section 10264. The governing body shall declare elected the persons for whom the highest number of votes were cast for each office.
(a)CA Elections Code § 10263(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the governing body shall meet at its usual place of meeting no later than the fourth Friday after the election to declare the results and to install the newly elected officers.
(b)CA Elections Code § 10263(b) For a consolidated election, the governing body shall meet at its usual place of meeting no later than the next regularly scheduled city council meeting following presentation of the 28-day canvass of the returns, or at a special meeting called for this purpose, to declare the results and to install the newly elected officers.
canvass completion election results declaration newly elected officers installation
Section § 10264
Right after the election results are announced, the election official must record the results in the governing body's records. The record must include the total number of votes cast in the city, list of candidates, measures on the ballot, the specific office each candidate was running for, and the votes each candidate or measure received both in total and per precinct.
As soon as the result of the election is declared, the elections official of the governing body shall enter on its records a statement of the result.
The statement shall show:
(a)CA Elections Code § 10264(a) The whole number of votes cast in the city.
(b)CA Elections Code § 10264(b) The names of the persons voted for.
(c)CA Elections Code § 10264(c) The measures voted upon.
(d)CA Elections Code § 10264(d) For what office each person was voted for.
(e)CA Elections Code § 10264(e) The number of votes given at each precinct to each person and for and against each measure.
(f)CA Elections Code § 10264(f) The number of votes given in the city to each person and for and against each measure.
election results record election outcomes votes cast
Section § 10265
When someone is elected, the elections official must quickly give them a certificate confirming their election win. The official also needs to give them the oath of office as required by the California Constitution.
The elections official shall immediately sign and deliver to each person elected a certificate of election. He or she shall also administer to each person elected the oath of office prescribed in the California Constitution.
certificate of election elections official oath of office
Section § 10266
This law states that the process for recounting votes in city or town elections follows the rules set out in another specific part of the law, starting with Section 15600.
Recount of votes in municipal elections shall be governed by Article 1 (commencing with Section 15600) of Chapter 12 of Division 15.
recount votes municipal elections city elections
