BILL NUMBER: SB 417	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Stone

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2015

   An act to amend Section 14215 of the Elections Code, relating to
elections.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 417, as introduced, Stone. Elections: election day procedures.
   Existing law requires the precinct board, before receiving any
ballots, in the presence of any persons assembled at the polling
place, to open and exhibit and close the ballot container or
containers. Thereafter, existing law prohibits the ballot container
or containers from being removed from the polling place or presence
of the bystanders until all the ballots are counted, nor opened until
after the polls are finally closed.
   This bill would authorize the precinct board of a county with a
geographic area of at least 2500 square miles to remove the ballot
container or containers from the polling place while the polls remain
open only to facilitate the early delivery of ballots to the
receiving centers or central counting places. The bill would require
the Secretary of State to adopt regulations for the secure delivery
and transfer of the ballots to the receiving center or central
counting place.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 14215 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

   14215.   (a)    Before receiving any ballots,
the precinct board, in the presence of any persons assembled at the
polling place, shall open and exhibit and close the ballot container
or containers. Thereafter,  except as specified in subdivision
(b),  the ballot container or containers shall not be removed
from the polling place or presence of the bystanders until all the
ballots are counted, nor opened until after the polls are finally
closed. 
   (b) (1) The precinct board may remove the ballot container or
containers from the polling place while the polls remain open only to
facilitate the early delivery of ballots to the receiving centers or
central counting places. The Secretary of State shall adopt
regulations for the secure delivery and transfer of the ballots to
the receiving center or central counting place.  
   (2) This subdivision shall only apply to a county of a geographic
area of at least 2500 square miles.