BILL NUMBER: SB 417	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 16, 2015

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 amended, 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   2,500 
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 prohibit a local agency
exercising this authorization from seeking state reimbursement for
associated costs.  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  
applies only  to a county of a geographic area of at least
 2500   2,500  square miles. 
   (3) A local agency that exercises the authority set forth in
paragraph (1) shall not seek reimbursement from the state for
associated costs pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500)
of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.