PART 3. CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTIONS [10400. - 10418.]

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC 3.

in effect

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10400. Section 10400.

Whenever two or more elections, including bond elections, of any legislative or congressional district, public district, city, county or other political subdivision are called to be held on the same day, in the same territory, or in territory that is in part the same, they may be consolidated pursuant to this chapter upon the order of the governing body or bodies or officer or officers calling the elections. The elections, whether held under a freeholder charter or under any state law, or both, may be consolidated, and different elections called by the same governing body may be consolidated.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10401. Section 10401.

Where one of the elections to be consolidated is a statewide election, the board of supervisors of the county in which the consolidation is to be effected may order the consolidation.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10402. Section 10402.

When local elections are to be consolidated, and no specific procedure is specified for their consolidation, the procedure set forth in Section 10403 shall govern the consolidation, except that the governing body of the jurisdiction that receives a request for the consolidation, or an officer otherwise authorized by law, may order the consolidation.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10402.5. Section 10402.5.

Any state, county, municipal, district, and school district election held on a statewide election date pursuant to Section 1002 shall be consolidated with the statewide election pursuant to this part except that, in counties of the first class, the board of supervisors may deny any request for consolidation if it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. The procedural requirements prescribed for that type of election shall be construed as if this section were specifically set forth in the provisions relating to that election.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10403. Section 10403.

(a) Whenever an election called by a district, city, or other political subdivision for the submission of a question, proposition, or office to be filled is to be consolidated with a statewide election, and the question, proposition, or office to be filled is to appear upon the same ballot as that provided for the statewide election, the district, city, or other political subdivision shall, at least 88 days prior to the date of the election, file with the board of supervisors, and a copy with the elections official, a resolution of its governing board that does all of the following: (1) Requests that the district, city, or other political subdivision election be consolidated with the statewide election. (2) Sets forth the exact form of the question, proposition, or office to be voted upon at the election, as it is to appear on the ballot. The question or proposition to appear on the ballot shall conform to this code governing the wording of propositions submitted to the voters at a statewide election. (3) Acknowledges that the consolidated election will be held and conducted in the manner prescribed in Section 10418. (b) The resolution requesting the consolidation shall be adopted and filed at the same time as the adoption of the ordinance, resolution, or order calling the election. (c) The names of the candidates to appear upon the ballot where district, city, or other political subdivision offices are to be filled shall be filed with the county elections official no later than 81 days prior to the election.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10403.5. Section 10403.5.

(a) (1) Any city ordinance requiring its general municipal election to be held on a day specified in subdivision (b) of Section 1301 shall be approved by the board of supervisors unless the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capability is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors shall each obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action. (2) A city, by itself or in concert with other cities, may purchase or otherwise contribute to the purchase of elections equipment, including, but not limited to, a computer for the purposes of conducting a consolidated election when the equipment shall be owned by the county. (b) As a result of the adoption of an ordinance pursuant to this section, no term of office shall be increased or decreased by more than 12 months. As used in this subdivision, “12 months” means the period between the day upon which the term of office would otherwise have commenced and the first Tuesday after the second Monday in the 12th month before or after that day, inclusive. (c) If an election is held on a day specified in subdivision (b) of Section 1301, and the election is consolidated with another election this part, except Section 10403, shall govern the consolidation and, if the county elections official is requested to conduct the municipal election, Section 10002 shall be applicable to that election. (d) If a general municipal election is held on the same day as a statewide election, those city officers whose terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the ordinance, expired no later than the next regularly scheduled city council meeting after receipt of the certification of the results from the elections official shall, instead, continue in their offices until not later than that meeting. (e) Within 30 days after the ordinance becomes operative, the city elections official shall cause a notice to be mailed to all registered voters informing the voters of the change in the election date. The notice shall also inform the voters that as a result in the change in the election date, the terms of office of the elected city officeholders will be changed.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10404. Section 10404.

(a) This section applies only to special districts electing members of the governing body in odd-numbered years. As used in this section, “special district” means an agency of the state formed pursuant to general law or special act, for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries, except a city, county, city and county, school or community college district, or special assessment district. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, a governing body of a special district may, by resolution, require that its elections of governing body members be held on the same day as the statewide general election. (1) The resolution setting the election shall also include dates that are consistent with the primary or general election with respect to nominations, notices, canvass of votes, certification of election, and all other procedural requirements of this code pertaining to the primary or general election. (2) The resolution shall be submitted to the board of supervisors no later than 240 days prior to the date of the currently scheduled district election. (c) The board of supervisors shall notify all districts located in the county of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of consolidation. (d) The elections official shall prepare and transmit to the board of supervisors an impact analysis of the proposed consolidation. (e) The board of supervisors, within 60 days from the date of submission, shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to the adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors shall each obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action. (f) Within 30 days after the approval of the resolution, the elections official shall notify all registered voters of the districts affected by the consolidation of the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors. The notice shall be delivered by mail and at the expense of the district. (g) Public notices of the proceedings in which the resolution is to be considered for adoption shall be made pursuant to Section 25151 of the Government Code. (h) If a special district is located in more than one county, the special district may not consolidate an election if any county in which the special district is located denies the request for consolidation. (i) If, pursuant to subdivision (b), a special district election is held on the same day as the statewide general election, those governing body members whose terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the resolution, expired prior to that election shall, instead, continue in their offices until their successors are elected and qualified, but in no event shall the term be extended beyond December 31 of the year following the year in which the request for consolidation is approved by the board of supervisors. (j) If a board of supervisors approves the resolution pursuant to subdivision (e), the special district election shall be conducted on the date specified by the board of supervisors, in accordance with subdivision (a), unless the approval is later rescinded by the board of supervisors. (k) If the date of a special district election is changed pursuant to this section, at least one election shall be held before the resolution, as approved by the board of supervisors, may be subsequently repealed or amended.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10404.5. Section 10404.5.

(a) A resolution of the governing board of a school district or county board of education to establish an election day pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302 shall be adopted and submitted to the board of supervisors not later than 240 days prior to the date of the currently scheduled election of the district or for the members of the county board of education. (b) The final date for the submission of the resolution by the governing board of a school district or county board of education to the board of supervisors is not subject to waiver. (c) The board of supervisors shall notify all school districts and the county board of education located in the county of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of consolidation. (d) (1) The board of supervisors, within 60 days from the date of submission, shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to the adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors may obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action. (2) Public notices of the proceedings in which the resolution is to be considered for adoption shall be made pursuant to Section 25151 of the Government Code. (e) Within 30 days after the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors, the elections official shall notify all registered voters of the districts affected by the consolidation of the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors. The notice shall be delivered by mail and at the expense of the school district or if applicable, the county board of education. (f) An election day established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302 shall be prescribed to occur not less than one month, nor more than 12 months, subsequent to the election day prescribed in Section 5000 of the Education Code or pursuant to Section 1007 of the Education Code, as appropriate. As used in this subdivision, “12 months” means the period from the election day prescribed in Section 5000 of the Education Code or pursuant to Section 1007 of the Education Code, as appropriate, to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in the 12th month subsequent to that day, inclusive. (g) In the event that the election day for a school district governing board or county board of education is established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302, the term of office of all then incumbent members of that governing board or county board of education shall be extended accordingly.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10404.7. Section 10404.7.

A school district in Tehama County or the Tehama County Board of Education, by itself or in concert with other school districts or county boards of education, may purchase or otherwise contribute to the purchase of elections equipment, including, but not limited to, a computer for the purposes of conducting a consolidated election when the equipment shall be owned by Tehama County.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10405. Section 10405.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Registrar-Recorder of the County of Los Angeles and the Registrar of Voters of Orange County may, pursuant to agreement between those counties, perform, either on behalf of the other, any and all duties relating to the conducting of the election, the counting of votes, and any other election procedures to the extent that those duties are for the conduct of an election of governing board members for any school district whose territory lies within both the County of Los Angeles and Orange County, pursuant to the consolidation of that election with a primary, municipal, or general election under Sections 1302 and 10404.5.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10405.7. Section 10405.7.

(a) The resolution of the community college district governing board to establish an election day pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302 shall be adopted and submitted to the board of supervisors not later than 240 days prior to the date of the currently scheduled election for the governing board members of the community college district. (b) The final date for the submission of the resolution by the community college district governing board to the board of supervisors is not subject to waiver. (c) The board of supervisors shall notify all community college districts located in the county of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of consolidation. (d) (1) The board of supervisors, within 60 days from the date of submission, shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to the adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors may each obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action. (2) Public notices of the proceedings in which the resolution is to be considered for adoption shall be made pursuant to Section 25151 of the Government Code. (e) Within 30 days after the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors, the elections official shall notify all registered voters of the districts affected by the consolidation of the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors. The notice shall be delivered by mail and at the expense of the community college district. (f) An election day established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302 shall be prescribed to occur not less than one month, nor more than 12 months, subsequent to the election day prescribed in Section 5000 of the Education Code. As used in this subdivision, “12 months” means the period from the election day prescribed in Section 5000 of the Education Code to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in the 12th month subsequent to that day, inclusive. (g) If, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1302, a district governing board member election is held on the same day as a statewide general election, those district governing board members whose four-year terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the resolution, expired prior to that election shall, instead, continue in their offices until successors are elected and qualified.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10405.8. Section 10405.8.

In a community college district that includes the trustee areas authorized to be established pursuant to the third paragraph of Section 72023 of the Education Code, the consolidation of the election of trustees on the same date as the statewide general election pursuant to Section 10405.7 may be approved by any county or counties for the trustee areas located entirely within that county or counties. The approval of any county or counties in which the other trustee areas are located shall not be required. Elections resulting from changes in election dates pursuant to this section shall be deemed to meet the requirement of staggered terms set forth in Section 72023 of the Education Code.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10406. Section 10406.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a statewide special election is called less than 88 days prior to the date of that election, a district, city, or other political subdivision may call for a special local election for the submission of any question, proposition, or office to be filled, to be consolidated with the statewide special election if the call is issued within four days from the date of issuance of the Governor’s proclamation or the effective date of a statute calling for a statewide special election.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10407. Section 10407.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever other elections are consolidated with a regularly scheduled election, the period for the filing of nomination documents by candidates in elections consolidated with the regularly scheduled election shall commence on the 113th day before the election. The nomination documents shall be filed not later than the close of business on the 88th day before the regularly scheduled election in the office of the appropriate officer, during regular office hours. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if nomination documents for an incumbent officer of a political subdivision are not filed by the close of business on the 88th day before the election, or are filed but then are withdrawn before the close of normal business hours on the 88th day before the election, any person other than the person who was the incumbent on the 88th day shall have until the close of business on the 83rd day before the election to file nomination documents for the elective office. This section is not applicable where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10408. Section 10408.

When the county precinct boundaries at a consolidated election called by the board of supervisors of the county in which the city, district or other political subdivision is located do not coincide with the boundaries of the city, district or other political subdivision, the board of supervisors may by order, and for the purpose of the election only, reprecinct the territory in which the boundaries do not coincide, at any time prior to 30 days before the election.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10409. Section 10409.

When the boundaries of the territory within which an election is to be held, or the boundaries of the precincts established therefor, do not fully coincide with the boundaries of the territory within which some other election is to be held, or the boundaries of the precincts established for the other election, the elections may be consolidated as to all precincts which are the same for both elections. The elections may also be consolidated as to those precincts where a single precinct established for one election lies entirely within a single precinct established for the other election. Separate ballots shall be provided for those voters who reside outside the territory within which one of the elections is called.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10410. Section 10410.

Within the territory affected by the order of consolidation, the election precincts, polling places and voting booths shall, in every case, be the same, and there shall be only one set of election officers in each of the precincts. When the returns of elections consolidated pursuant to this part are required to be canvassed by different canvassing boards, the elections shall be conducted separately in the same manner as if they had not been consolidated, except as provided in this part.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10411. Section 10411.

In case of the consolidation of any election called by the legislative body of a city, district, or other political subdivision with an election held in the county or counties in which the city, district, or other political subdivision is situated, the governing body of the city, district, or other political subdivision may authorize the board of supervisors to canvass the returns of the election. If this authority is given: (a) The election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election. (b) Only one form of ballot shall be used. (c) The returns of the election need not be canvassed by the legislative body of the authorizing city, district or other political subdivision. If the authority is given to the board of supervisors, the canvass shall be made in accordance with Article 1 (commencing with Section 15300) of Chapter 4 of Division 15.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10412. Section 10412.

In the case of the consolidation of any election called by the governing body of a city, district or other political subdivision with an election held in another city, district or other political subdivision, the governing body of one city, district or political subdivision may authorize the governing body of the other city, district or political subdivision to canvass the returns of the election. If this authority is given: (a) The elections shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election. (b) Only one form of ballot shall be used. (c) The returns of the election need not be canvassed by the governing body of the authorizing city, district, or other political subdivision. If that authority is given, the canvass may be made by any body or official authorized by law to canvass the returns of the election of such other city, district or political subdivision.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10413. Section 10413.

When the returns of any elections consolidated pursuant to this part are required to be canvassed by the same body, the elections shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election, and only one form of ballot shall be used.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10416. Section 10416.

Except as otherwise provided in this part, when elections are consolidated, the governing body ordering consolidation may, in the territory affected thereby, provide for: (a) The appointment of precinct boards. (b) The formation of precincts for such elections. (c) The expenses of the election.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10417. Section 10417.

Where under any law of the state the precincts, polling places or names of members of precinct boards are required to be described or otherwise set forth in the ordinance, resolution, order, notice or other document calling, giving notice of or otherwise pertaining to any election, and the election is consolidated, in whole or in part, with another election, the ordinance, resolution, order, notice or other document need not describe or set forth the precincts, polling places and the names of precinct board members pertaining to the territory affected by the consolidation but may instead state that these precincts, polling places, and precinct board members shall be the same as those provided for the other election within the territory affected by the consolidation, and in that event, the ordinance, resolution, order, notice, or other document shall refer to some ordinance, order, resolution, or notice calling, providing for or giving notice of the other election and which sets forth these precincts, polling places, and the names of precinct board members. This reference may be made by giving the number and title or date of adoption of the ordinance, resolution, or order, or the date or proposed date of any publication of the notice and the name of the newspaper in which the notice has been or will be published, or by any other definite description. Notwithstanding the provision of any other provision of law, this reference need not be made in the case of an election consolidated with a statewide election.

Cal. Elections Code - ELEC § 10418. Section 10418.

(a) Whenever an election is to be held on the same day as a statewide election, a special election, or an election held pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303, the election may be consolidated with the statewide or special election, or the election held pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303, as applicable. If consolidated, the consolidated election shall be held and conducted, election boards appointed, voting precincts designated, candidates nominated, ballots printed, polls opened and closed, voter challenges determined, ballots counted and returned, returns canvassed, results declared, certificates of election issued, recounts conducted, election contests presented, and all other proceedings incidental to and connected with the election shall be regulated and done in accordance with the provisions of law regulating the statewide or special election, or the election held pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303, as applicable. (b) The precincts used at the consolidated election shall be those used for the statewide, special, or regularly scheduled election and, where necessary, the county elections official may adjust precinct lines to coincide with the boundaries of the particular jurisdiction.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026