California · Elections Code

ELEC §19005: In the case of electrical failure or other emergency, the official conducting the election may direct that ballots may be marked by pencil or ink.

What this law says, in plain English

During electrical failure or emergencies, election officials may permit voters to mark ballots using pencil or ink instead of standard methods.

Read the full statutory text
In the case of electrical failure or other emergency, the official conducting the election may direct that ballots may be marked by pencil or ink. In that event, the elections official may duplicate the voted ballot cards as provided in Section 15210 and count the duplicate ballots by automatic tabulating device, or may count the voted ballots pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 15270) of Chapter 3 of Division 15.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.