CHAPTER 6. Elections [57125. - 57150.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 6.
in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57125. Section 57125.

(a) Special elections called within all or any part of a city or registered-voter district shall be governed by the general election provisions and the local election provisions of the Elections Code, so far as they may be applicable, relating to the qualifications of voters, the manner of voting, the form of the ballot, the duties of precinct and election officers, the canvassing of returns, and all other particulars. If the commission determines that there is any inconsistency: (1) Between the general elections provisions and the local elections provisions of the Elections Code, the local elections provisions shall control. (2) Between this division and the Elections Code, this division shall control. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, special elections pursuant to this division may be conducted wholly by mailed ballot on any date other than an established election date authorized by the elections official of the county or counties affected by the use of mailed ballots.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57126. Section 57126.

(a) Special elections called within all or any part of a landowner-voter district shall be governed by the general elections provisions of the principal act, so far as they may be applicable, relating to the qualifications of voters, the manner of voting, the form of the ballot, the duties of precinct and election officers, the canvassing of returns, and all other particulars. To the extent of any inconsistency between the provisions of this division and the principal act as determined by the commission, the provisions of this division shall control. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, special elections held pursuant to this division may be conducted wholly by mailed ballot on any date other than an established election date authorized by the elections official of the county or counties affected by the use of mailed ballots.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57127. Section 57127.

If the board of supervisors calls any special election within all or any part of any district, any references in the principal act to the board of directors of the district and to the clerk or secretary of the district shall be deemed to mean the board of supervisors and the elections official, respectively.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57127.5. Section 57127.5.

If special elections are called upon the same question or questions within all or any part of any landowner-voter district, and any city or registered-voter district, the provisions of Section 57125 shall apply, except that, as to the landowner-voter district, the provisions of its principal act shall govern the qualifications of landowner-voters, the number of votes which each landowner-voter is entitled to cast, the manner of voting, and the form of the ballot.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57128. Section 57128.

Where any special election or elections are called upon the question of confirmation of an order for a reorganization and the areas within which the election or elections are called contain overlapping territory of two or more cities or districts, within all of the overlapping territory the election precincts, polling places, voting booths, and ballot boxes shall, in every case, be the same and there shall be only one precinct board or set of election officers for each precinct.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57129. Section 57129.

Where any records of a city or a district are required for the purpose of calling, holding, or conducting any special election called by the board of supervisors or city council pursuant to this division, those records or certified copies of those records shall be delivered, upon request, to the elections official by the city or district officer having custody of the records or copies and shall be returned to that officer immediately after the canvass of the election returns. All other election records, documents, instruments, and election supplies, including, but not limited to, rosters, ballots, and tally sheets, shall be retained or disposed of by the elections official in the manner provided by law.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57130. Section 57130.

The elections official shall cause notice of each change of organization or reorganization election to be given by publication, posting, and mailing as provided in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 57025) of Part 4.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57132. Section 57132.

The election on the question of the change of organization or reorganization shall be called pursuant to Section 57000 and held on the next established election date pursuant to Section 1000 of the Elections Code, or Section 1500 of the Elections Code in the case of an election conducted solely by mailed ballot, occurring at least 88 days after the date upon which the resolution calling the election was adopted.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57132.5. Section 57132.5.

Notwithstanding Section 57132, the election on the question of a special reorganization shall be called pursuant to Section 57000 and held at the next regular primary or general election occurring in an even-numbered year at least 88 days after the date on which the resolution calling the election was adopted.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57133. Section 57133.

The question or questions to be submitted at any special election or elections called pursuant to this part shall be in substantially the following form: (a) For an incorporation: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the Local Agency Formation Commission of ____ County ordering the incorporation of the territory described in the order and designated in the order as ____ (insert the distinct short form designation previously assigned by the commission) be confirmed?” (b) For an annexation: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the ____ (insert Local Agency Formation Commission) ordering the annexation to ____ (insert city or district) of the territory described in that order and designated as ____ (insert the short form designation previously assigned by the commission) be confirmed?” (c) For a detachment: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the ____ (insert Local Agency Formation Commission) ordering the detachment from the ____ (insert city or district) of the territory described in the order and designated in the order as ____ (insert the short form designation previously assigned by the commission) be confirmed?” (d) For a city consolidation: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the ____ (insert Local Agency Formation Commission) of the County of ____ (insert name of city) ordering the consolidation of the Cities of ____ (insert names of all cities ordered consolidated) into a single city known as the City of ____ be confirmed?” (e) For a disincorporation: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the Local Agency Formation Commission of the County of ____ ordering the disincorporation of the City of ____ be confirmed?” (f) For a reorganization: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the ____ (insert Local Agency Formation Commission) ordering a reorganization affecting the ____ (insert names of all affected cities or districts) and providing for ____ (insert list of all changes of organization or new cities proposed to be incorporated or districts to be formed) be confirmed?” (g) For a district dissolution: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the Local Agency Formation Commission of the County of ____ ordering the dissolution of the ____ district be confirmed?” (h) For a district consolidation: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the Local Agency Formation Commission of the County of ____ ordering the consolidation of ____ (insert the names of all districts ordered consolidated) into a single district known as the ____ District be confirmed?” (i) For a merger: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the Local Agency Formation Commission of the County of ____ ordering the merger of the ____ District with the City of ____ be confirmed?” (j) For establishment of a subsidiary district: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the Local Agency Formation Commission of the County of ____ ordering the ____ District established as a subsidiary district of the City of ____ be confirmed?” (k) For a district formation, use form of question under principal act of district being formed. If none, use substantially the following form: “Shall the order adopted on ____, 20 __, by the Local Agency Formation Commission of ____ County ordering the formation of a district in the territory described, known as ____, be approved?”

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57134. Section 57134.

If the change of organization or reorganization has been ordered subject to any terms and conditions, there shall be added to the end of the questions set forth in Section 57133 words substantially as follows: “Subject to the terms and conditions specified in the order.”

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57135. Section 57135.

(a) If any of the terms and conditions have the effect of imposing or increasing liability for payment of (1) taxes or assessments to be levied and collected, (2) service charges, rentals, or rates to be fixed and collected, or (3) both, upon or within all or any part of the territory affected by the proposed change of organization or reorganization, the question shall contain a very brief summary of the purpose, nature, and extent of the liability and shall refer to the order ordering the change of organization or reorganization for particulars. The legislative body may include in the question a summary of any of the other terms and conditions. (b) No reference need be made to any liability for payment of any of the following to be imposed for the usual and ordinary support, management, and operation of any district: (1) Annual taxes or assessments. (2) Ordinary service charges, rentals, or rates. (3) Both taxes or assessments and service charges, rentals, or rates. (c) Where a summary is included in a question, there shall be added to the clause set forth in Section 57134 words substantially as follows: “Such terms and conditions including (set forth very brief summary), all as more particularly described and set forth in the order.”

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57136. Section 57136.

This section shall apply only to changes of organization and reorganizations made by, or with respect to, a member district. If a change of organization or reorganization adding territory to a member district will not result in the additional territory being entitled to receive or be furnished with any new or additional governmental or proprietary service or commodity by the parent district, the question submitted to the voters shall so indicate. If a change of organization or a reorganization removing territory from a member district will result in the termination of any existing entitlement of the territory to receive, or be furnished with, any governmental or proprietary service or commodity from the parent district, the question submitted to the voters shall so indicate.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57137. Section 57137.

On the ballot to the right of or below each question, the words “Yes” and “No” shall be printed on separate lines with voting targets.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57138. Section 57138.

If the commission orders both a merger and the establishment of a subsidiary district, questions on each matter shall be printed on the ballot, one above the other. Immediately preceding the first question, there shall be printed in the words “Vote on both questions.”

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57139. Section 57139.

If a special election or elections is called upon an order of reorganization which provides for a consolidation or the formation of a new district, or both, or upon an order of consolidation, members of the legislative body and other officers of the consolidated district or the new district, as the case may be, shall be selected in the manner provided by the principal act. If the principal act or the terms and conditions of the reorganization or consolidation provide for the election of the officers or members, they shall be nominated in the manner provided in the principal act and shall be voted upon at the special election or elections upon the question of confirming the order of reorganization or consolidation. If the order of reorganization or consolidation is confirmed at the special election or elections, the officers or members of the legislative body of the consolidated district or the new district, as the case may be, who are elected at the election or elections shall become the officers or members of the legislative body of the consolidated district or new district.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57140. Section 57140.

Where a special election is called upon the question of confirming an order for a change of organization or a reorganization, each person entitled to vote as a result of residing or owning land within the territory in which the election is called shall be entitled to ballots and votes as follows: (a) In the case of cities or registered-voter districts, to one ballot and one vote. (b) In the case of landowner-voter districts, to the number of ballots and votes authorized by the principal act of the district.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57141. Section 57141.

Where a special election or elections are called upon the question of confirming an order for a merger or the establishment of a subsidiary district, or both, each person entitled to vote as a result of residing or owning land within the territory within which the election is called shall be entitled to ballots and votes as follows: (a) Where the election is called only within the district: (1) In the case of a registered-voter district, each registered voter shall be entitled to one ballot and one vote. (2) In the case of a landowner-voter district, each landowner-voter shall be entitled to the number of ballots and votes authorized by the principal act of the district. (b) Where one election is called within the district and another election is called within the territory of the city outside the boundaries of the agency: (1) In the case of the city, each registered voter within the territory of the city outside the boundaries of the district shall be entitled to one city ballot and one vote on the question. (2) In the case of the district, each person entitled to vote as a result of residing or owning land within the district shall be entitled to the number of district ballots and votes authorized by the principal act of the district. Where separate elections are called within both the district and the territory of the city outside the boundaries of the district, separate forms of city and district ballots, printed on different colors of paper, shall be provided. The city and district ballots shall be separately canvassed.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57142. Section 57142.

Where a special election is called upon the question of confirming an order of reorganization, each person entitled to vote as a result of residing or owning land within the territory within which the election is called shall be entitled to ballots and votes as follows: (a) Each person who qualifies only as a registered voter of any city or registered voter district, regardless of the number of registered voters, is entitled to one ballot and one vote. (b) Each person who qualifies only as a landowner-voter of any subject district, regardless of the number of landowner voters, is entitled to the number of ballots and votes authorized by the principal act for one such district; if there is more than one such district, that person upon declaration made to the precinct or election officers shall be furnished with a ballot or ballots for the particular district designated by that person. (c) Each person who qualifies both as a registered voter and as a landowner-voter of any of the subject agencies, may at his or her option vote either as a registered voter or as a landowner-voter, but not both. That person, upon declaration made to the precinct or election officers, shall be furnished with a ballot or ballots for the particular city or district designated by that person.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57143. Section 57143.

In any special election or elections called upon the question of confirmation of an order for merger or the establishment of a subsidiary district or for a reorganization, where the results of the election or elections are to be determined from votes of both landowner-voters and registered voters, the votes of the landowner-voters shall be computed and equated with the votes of the registered voters in the following manner: (a) First, the per capita assessed value of land for each registered voter within the county within which the elections are held shall be determined to the nearest even dollar by dividing the total assessed value of land within the county, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll of the county, by the total number of voters who were registered in the county at the close of registration, as provided in the Elections Code, next preceding the date of the election. If any landowner-voter district is located in more than one county, the per capita assessed value for each county shall be multiplied by a percentage, to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent, those percentages being determined by dividing the total area of the district into the area of those portions of the district located within that county; the resulting products of those multiplications shall then be added and the total, to the nearest even dollar, shall be deemed to be the per capita assessed value for all the counties. (b) Second, if any such landowner-voter district does not use the county assessment roll for the purposes of levying and collecting district assessments or taxes, the per capita assessed value of land for each registered voter within the county shall be corrected by multiplying the per capita assessed value by a correction factor determined as follows: The total assessed valuation of all lands within the district, as shown upon the last equalized assessment roll or book of the district, shall be divided by the corresponding total assessed valuation of all lands within the district, as shown upon the last equalized assessment roll of the county, and the quotient, expressed to the nearest of two decimal places, shall represent the correction factor. If any landowner-voter district is located in more than one county, a correction factor shall be determined, in the manner above provided, for each such county covering all those portions of the district which are located within the county; the correction factor for each county shall then be multiplied by a percentage, to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent, that percentage being determined by dividing the total area of the district into the area of those portions of the district located within that county; the resulting products of those multiplications shall then be added and the total, to the nearest of two decimal places, shall be deemed to be the correction factor for all the counties. (c) Third, the corrected per capita assessed value, determined to the nearest even dollar, shall then be adjusted by dividing it by the number of dollars required for a single vote by a landowner-voter, as specified in the principal act determining the landowner-voter’s right to vote. (d) Fourth, the total number of votes cast by landowner-voters for and against the question shall be divided by the corrected and adjusted per capita assessed value and the quotients, to the nearest whole figures, shall be deemed to be the number of votes of landowner-voters which shall be equated with the votes of the registered-voters of any city or registered voter district, cast for and against the question.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57144. Section 57144.

Within five days after a special election is called pursuant to this part, the executive officer shall submit to the commission, for its approval or modification, an impartial analysis of the proposed incorporation or change of organization. The impartial analysis shall not exceed 500 words in length in addition to a general description of the boundaries of the territory affected. The commission shall approve or modify the analysis and submit the analysis to the elections official no later than the last day for submission of rebuttal arguments. Immediately below the impartial analysis there shall be printed in no less than 10-point bold type a legend substantially as follows: “The above statement is an impartial analysis of Proposition ____. If you desire a copy of the proposition, please call the elections official’s office at (insert telephone number) and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.”

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57145. Section 57145.

(a) The legislative body of any affected agency, or any member or members of the legislative body of any affected agency authorized by it, or any individual voter or association of citizens entitled to vote on the change of organization or reorganization, or any combination of those voters and association of citizens may file a written argument for, or a written argument against, the question to be submitted to the voters. Arguments shall not exceed 300 words in length and shall be filed with the elections official no later than the last day for submission of arguments specified by Section 57146. (b) If more than one argument for or more than one argument against the proposal is filed with the elections official within the time prescribed in Section 57145, the elections official shall select one of the arguments for printing and distribution to the voters. In selecting the arguments, the elections official shall give preference and priority in the order named to the following arguments: (1) The legislative body of an affected agency or any authorized member or members of the legislative body. (2) Individual voters or association of citizens or a combination of voters and associations.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57146. Section 57146.

(a) On the basis of the time reasonably necessary to prepare and print the arguments, analysis, and sample ballots for the election, the elections official shall fix and determine a reasonable date prior to the election after which no arguments for or against the measure may be submitted for printing and distribution to the voters. Notice of the date fixed shall be published in accordance with Section 56153 in a newspaper of general circulation which is circulated in the affected territory. Arguments may be changed until and including the date fixed by the elections official. (b) The notice shall contain all of the following information: (1) A statement of the proposition to be voted on and a general description of the boundaries of the affected territory. (2) An invitation to any registered voter or association of citizens entitled to vote on the proposal to submit and file with the elections official for printing and distribution in the ballot pamphlet, an argument for or an argument against the proposal. (3) The date of the election. (4) A statement that only one argument for and one argument against will be selected and printed in the ballot pamphlet. (5) A statement that arguments shall not exceed 300 words in length and shall be accompanied by not more than five signatures.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57148. Section 57148.

(a) The elections official shall cause a ballot pamphlet concerning the proposal to be printed and mailed to each voter entitled to vote on the question. The ballot pamphlet shall contain all of the following information in the order prescribed: (1) The impartial analysis of the proposition prepared by the commission. (2) One argument for the proposal, if any. (3) One rebuttal to the argument for the proposal, if any. (4) One argument against the proposal, if any. (5) One rebuttal to the argument against the proposal, if any. A copy of the complete text of the proposition shall be made available by the elections official, to any voter upon request. (b) The elections official shall mail a ballot pamphlet to each voter entitled to vote in the election at least 10 days prior to the date of the election. The ballot pamphlet is “official matter” within the meaning of Section 13303 of the Elections Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57149. Section 57149.

The canvass of ballots cast at any election held pursuant to this division shall be conducted pursuant to Sections 15300 to 15309, inclusive, of the Elections Code. The elections official shall immediately, upon the completion of any canvass, report the results to the executive officer of the local agency formation commission.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 57150. Section 57150.

All proper expenses incurred in conducting elections for a change of organization or reorganization pursuant to this chapter shall be paid, unless otherwise provided by agreement between the commission and the proponents, as follows: (a) In the case of annexation or detachment proceedings, by the local agency to or from which territory is annexed, or from which territory is detached, or was proposed to be annexed or detached. (b) In the case of incorporation or formation proceedings, by the newly incorporated city or the newly formed district, if successful, or by the county within which the proposed city or district is located, if the incorporation or formation proceedings are terminated. In the case of a separate election for city officers held following the election for incorporation pursuant to Section 56724, by the newly incorporated city. (c) In the case of disincorporation or dissolution proceedings, from the remaining assets of the disincorporated city or dissolved district or by the city proposed to be disincorporated or the district proposed to be dissolved if disincorporation or dissolution proceedings are terminated. (d) In the case of consolidation proceedings, by the successor city or district or by the local agencies proposed to be consolidated, to be paid by those local agencies in proportion to their respective assessed values, if proceedings are terminated. (e) In the case of a reorganization, by either of the following: (1) If the reorganization is ordered, by the subject local agencies or successor local agencies, as the case may be, for any of the changes of organization specified in subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, that may be included in the particular reorganization, to be paid by those local agencies in proportion to their assessed value. (2) If the reorganization proceedings are terminated or the proposal is defeated, by the county or counties within which the subject local agency is located.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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