Elections Generally - Elections - Water Code - CA

Section § 30700

This law states that rules from the Elections Code about who can vote will also apply to water district elections, unless there are special situations outlined in the law.

If there are differences in voter qualifications between local and general elections, the local election rules take priority.

However, this part of the water code has the final say over any conflicting parts of the Elections Code, except for the Uniform District Election Law.

The provisions of the Elections Code relating to the qualifications of electors, so far as they may be applicable, shall govern all water district elections except:

(a) To the extent that the provisions of the Elections Code pertaining to the qualification of voters at local elections are inconsistent with the provisions of that code pertaining to general elections, the provisions of the Elections Code pertaining to local elections shall control.

(b) This division shall control over any inconsistent provision of the Elections Code except the Uniform District Election Law (Part 4 (commencing with Section 10500) of Division 10 of the Elections Code).

water district elections qualifications of electors local election rules ...

Section § 30700.5

In the Pleasant Valley County Water District, only landowners within the district can vote in elections. These landowners don't need to live in the district to vote. Each vote corresponds to the assessed value of their land, not including improvements or mineral rights, with one vote per $100 of value. The county assessor provides a certified list of property owners and values when requested. When land has multiple owners, they must agree on one person to vote. Corporations and estates with property in the district can vote through a legal representative, who must present certified authority to vote. Votes can be cast in person or by proxy. These rules are specific to Pleasant Valley in Ventura County due to local needs.

Notwithstanding Section 30021 or any other provision of the law, in the Pleasant Valley County Water District every owner of land within the district, but no others, may vote at the election for directors or otherwise. Such owners need not be residents of the district in order to qualify as voters. Each voter shall be entitled to cast one vote for each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation of land, exclusive of improvements, minerals, and mineral rights therein, to which he had title. The last equalized county assessment roll is conclusive evidence of ownership and of the value of the real property so owned. Upon request by the county clerk, the county assessor shall provide within 45 days a certified list of every owner of real property within the district and the assessed value of the land, exclusive of improvements, minerals, and mineral rights therein, owned by the voter in the district. Where the land is owned in joint tenancy, tenancy in common, or any other multiple ownership, the owners of such land shall designate in writing which one of the owners shall be deemed the owner of such land for purposes of qualifying as a voter.

The legal representative of a corporation or estate owning real property may vote on behalf of such corporation or estate. As used in this section, legal representative means an official of a corporation owning real property or a guardian, executor, or administrator of the estate of the holder of title to real property who:

(a) Is appointed under the laws of the state.

(b) Is entitled to possession of the estate in real property.

(c) Is authorized by the appointing court to exercise the particular right, privilege or immunity which he seeks to exercise. Before a legal representative votes at a district election he shall present to the precinct board a certified copy of his authority which shall be kept and filed with the returns of the election.

Every voter, or his legal representative may vote at any district election either in person or by a person duly appointed as his proxy, but shall be entitled to cast only one vote. The appointment of a proxy shall be as provided in Section 35005.

The provisions of this section shall apply only to a county water district heretofore formed in Pleasant Valley, Ventura County. These special provisions are necessary for reasons similar to those expressed in Section 30205.

Pleasant Valley County Water District landowner voting rights assessed land valuation ...

Section § 30700.6

This law outlines who can vote in Sierra Lakes County Water District elections. It includes both residents of the district and non-resident property owners. The ownership of property is verified through the county's assessment roll, and for properties owned by multiple people, they must choose one owner to vote. Corporations or estates owning property can have their legal representative vote if they have the proper authority. Voters or their representatives can vote in person or appoint a proxy, but only one vote is allowed per person or entity. Current directors are unaffected by these rules until a vacancy occurs or their term ends, upon which they must qualify as voters under this section.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 30021 or any other provision of the law, qualified voters at elections for directors or otherwise in the Sierra Lakes County Water District shall be (1) voters who are residents of the district, and (2) every owner of real property within the district, who is not a resident of the district.

(b) The last equalized county assessment roll shall be conclusive evidence of ownership of the real property so owned. Where land is owned in joint tenancy, tenancy in common, or any other multiple ownership, the owners of the land shall designate in writing which one of the owners shall be deemed the owner of the land for purposes of qualifying as a voter.

(c) The legal representative of a corporation or estate owning real property may vote on behalf of the corporation or estate. As used in this section, legal representative means an official of a corporation owning real property or a guardian, executor, or administrator of the estate of the holder of title to real property who:

(1) Is appointed under the laws of this state.

(2) Is entitled to the possession of the estate’s real property.

(3) Is authorized by the appointing court to exercise the particular right, privilege, or immunity which he or she seeks to exercise.

Before a legal representative votes at a district election, he or she shall present to the precinct board a certified copy of his or her authority which shall be kept and filed with the returns of the election.

(d) Every voter, or his or her legal representative, may vote at any district election either in person or by a person duly appointed as his or her proxy, but shall be entitled to cast only one vote. The appointment of a proxy shall be as provided in Section 35005. Elections shall be conducted pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 35106) of Chapter 2 of Part 4 of Division 13.

(e) This section shall not affect incumbent directors of the district, but in the event of a vacancy or upon the expiration of each present term, each director, upon taking office or commencing a new term, shall be a voter as defined in this section.

Sierra Lakes County Water District qualified voters non-resident property owners ...