Section 17505 Of Chapter 6. Miscellaneous Provisions From California Elections Code >> Division 17. >> Chapter 6.

. (a) The following provisions apply to all state or local elections not provided for in subdivision (a) of Section 17504. An election is not deemed a state or local election if votes for candidates for federal office may be cast on the same ballot as votes for candidates for state or local office.
  (b) The elections official shall preserve all applications for vote by mail ballots for a period of six months from the date of the election.