PrecinctsPrecinct Formation
Section § 12220
This law requires an elections official to split their area into different precincts and create detailed maps or descriptions of these areas. They can make as many copies as needed. If the elections official asks for help, the county surveyor must assist with making these maps or descriptions.
Section § 12221
This law requires that when precincts are created, their boundaries must be clearly defined using descriptions or by outlining them on a map.
Section § 12222
This law states that precincts, which are local voting areas, should not be split across different political or administrative boundaries. In simple terms, a precinct must stay within one district or city area. Additionally, if there aren't enough qualified people in a precinct to form a voting board, that precinct can be combined with a neighboring one.
Section § 12223
This law is about organizing election precincts. It states that when setting up or changing a precinct, the total number of in-person voters should not exceed 1,000 by the 88th day before an election, unless another law says differently. Also, election officials can account for those who vote by mail. Specifically, they can subtract permanent vote-by-mail voters from the precinct total, as long as the remaining in-person voters don't exceed a calculated limit based on a percentage of non-mail voters in the area, multiplied by 1,000.
Section § 12224
This law allows elections officials to divide voters in a precinct into two or more groups. Each group can have its own polling place, ballot box, and set of election results. However, this does not apply to elections that use vote centers, where the process might be different.
Section § 12225
If a voting area is entirely controlled by the U.S. and they don't allow polling places, then election officials don't have to set up voting in person. Instead, they must turn the area into a mail-only voting precinct if they give at least 88 days' notice before the election.