The term “elector” or “presidential elector” as used in this chapter means an elector of President and Vice President of the United States, and not an elector as defined in Section 321.
Elections for Presidential ElectorsGeneral Provisions
Section § 6900
This section clarifies that when it mentions an 'elector' or 'presidential elector,' it's referring specifically to those involved in voting for the President and Vice President of the United States, not the type of elector described in a different section (Section 321).
presidential elector elector definition voting for President
Section § 6901
This law section explains that when a political party sends its list of nominees for electors and alternate electors for President and Vice President to the Secretary of State, the Secretary must inform each nominee of their nomination. Additionally, the Secretary of State is responsible for ensuring the names of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates from various political parties appear on the general election ballot.
Whenever a political party, in accordance with Section 6864, 7100, 7300, 7578, or 7843, submits to the Secretary of State its certified list of nominees for electors and alternate electors of President and Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of State shall notify each candidate for elector and alternate elector of the elector’s nomination by the party. The Secretary of State shall cause the names of the candidates for President and Vice President of the several political parties to be placed upon the ballot for the ensuing general election.
political party nominees electors notification alternate electors
Section § 6901.5
Political parties that are eligible to participate in a U.S. presidential election must inform the California Secretary of State of their chosen nominees for President and Vice President by the 75th day before the election. If a party hasn't held its national convention by then, they must instead provide the names of their likely nominees.
On or before the 75th day before an election when electors for the President and Vice President of the United States will be chosen, each political party qualified to participate in the election shall notify the Secretary of State of the names of that party’s nominees for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States. If a qualified political party has not held its national convention by the 75th day before the election, the party shall notify the Secretary of State of the names of the party’s apparent nominees for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.
political party notification nominees for President nominees for Vice President
Section § 6902
In leap years during the general election, or at another time if U.S. laws specify, California voters choose the number of electors for President and Vice President that the state is allowed to have.
At the general election in each leap year, or at any other time as may be prescribed by the laws of the United States, there shall be chosen by the voters of the state as many electors of President and Vice President of the United States as the state is then entitled to.
general election leap year presidential electors
Section § 6903
Before the electors meet, the Governor of California must give them a list of their names. The Governor is also responsible for completing any other tasks related to presidential electors that U.S. laws require.
On or before the day of meeting of the electors, the Governor shall deliver to the electors a list of the names of electors, and he or she shall perform any other duties relating to presidential electors which are required of him or her by the laws of the United States.
Governor duties electors list presidential electors
Section § 6904
This law section outlines when and where the state's electors, who are responsible for casting the state's official vote for president and vice president, must gather. They meet at the State Capitol at 2 PM on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December following their election.
If meeting at the Capitol is unsafe due to an emergency like a fire, flood, or earthquake, as declared by the Governor, a different location will be chosen and announced. The Governor must file this alternative location with the Secretary of State.
(a)CA Elections Code § 6904(a) The electors chosen shall assemble at the State Capitol at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December next following their election.
(b)CA Elections Code § 6904(b) If it is unsafe to meet in the State Capitol due to a
state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code), including a fire, flood, earthquake, or other emergency, the Governor shall designate by written proclamation an alternative location for the electors to assemble. The proclamation shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
electors assembly State Capitol emergency meeting location
Section § 6906
When California's electors gather, they must vote by ballot for a President and a Vice President of the United States. At least one of these candidates cannot be from California.
The electors, when convened, shall vote by ballot for a person for President and a person for Vice President of the United States, one of whom, at least, is not an inhabitant of this state.
California electors Presidential election Vice Presidential election
Section § 6909
This law states that each presidential elector and alternate elector in California gets paid $10 for their services. They also receive five cents per mile for travel from their home to the meeting and back.
The Secretary of State certifies their accounts, and the Controller audits them and issues a payment order from the General Fund through the Treasurer.
Each presidential elector and alternate elector shall receive ten dollars ($10) for the elector’s services, and mileage at the rate of five cents ($0.05) per mile for each mile of travel from the elector’s domicile to the location of the meeting of the electors and return.
Their accounts therefor shall be certified by the Secretary of State, and audited by the Controller, who shall draw the Controller’s warrants for the same on the Treasurer, payable out of the General Fund.
presidential elector payment alternate elector compensation travel reimbursement
