Section 13112 Of Chapter 2. Forms Of Ballots: Ballot Order From California Elections Code >> Division 13. >> Chapter 2.
13112
. The Secretary of State shall conduct a drawing of the
letters of the alphabet, the result of which shall be known as a
randomized alphabet. The procedure shall be as follows:
(a) Each letter of the alphabet shall be written on a separate
slip of paper, each of which shall be folded and inserted into a
capsule. Each capsule shall be opaque and of uniform weight, color,
size, shape, and texture. The capsules shall be placed in a
container, which shall be shaken vigorously in order to mix the
capsules thoroughly. The container then shall be opened and the
capsules removed at random one at a time. As each is removed, it
shall be opened and the letter on the slip of paper read aloud and
written down. The resulting random order of letters constitutes the
randomized alphabet, which is to be used in the same manner as the
conventional alphabet in determining the order of all candidates in
all elections. For example, if two candidates with the surnames
Campbell and Carlson are running for the same office, their order on
the ballot will depend on the order in which the letters M and R were
drawn in the randomized alphabet drawing.
(b) (1) There shall be six drawings, three in each even-numbered
year and three in each odd-numbered year. Each drawing shall be held
at 11 a.m. on the date specified in this subdivision. The results of
each drawing shall be mailed immediately to each county elections
official responsible for conducting an election to which the drawing
is applicable, who shall use it in determining the order on the
ballot of the names of the candidates for office.
(A) The first drawing under this subdivision shall take place on
the 82nd day before the April general law city elections of an
even-numbered year, and shall apply to those elections and any other
elections held at the same time.
(B) The second drawing under this subdivision shall take place on
the 82nd day before the direct primary of an even-numbered year, and
shall apply to all candidates on the ballot in that election.
(C) (i) The third drawing under this subdivision shall take place
on the 82nd day before the November general election of an
even-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates on the ballot
in the November general election.
(ii) In the case of the primary election and the November general
election, the Secretary of State shall certify and transmit to each
county elections official the order in which the names of federal and
state candidates, with the exception of candidates for State Senate
and Assembly, shall appear on the ballot. The elections official
shall determine the order on the ballot of all other candidates using
the appropriate randomized alphabet for that purpose.
(D) The fourth drawing under this subdivision shall take place on
the 82nd day before the March general law city elections of each
odd-numbered year, and shall apply to those elections and any other
elections held at the same time.
(E) The fifth drawing under this subdivision shall take place on
the 82nd day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June
of each odd-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates on the
ballot in the elections held on that date.
(F) The sixth drawing under this subdivision shall take place on
the 82nd day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of the odd-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates
on the ballot in the elections held on that date.
(2) In the event there is to be an election of candidates to a
special district, school district, charter city, or other local
government body at the same time as one of the five major election
dates specified in subparagraphs (A) to (F), inclusive, and the last
possible day to file nomination papers for the local election would
occur after the date of the drawing for the major election date, the
procedure set forth in Section 13113 shall apply.
(c) Each randomized alphabet drawing shall be open to the public.
At least 10 days prior to a drawing, the Secretary of State shall
notify the news media and other interested parties of the date, time,
and place of the drawing. The president of each statewide
association of local officials with responsibilities for conducting
elections shall be invited by the Secretary of State to attend each
drawing or send a representative. The state chairman of each
qualified political party shall be invited to attend or send a
representative in the case of drawings held to determine the order of
candidates on the primary election ballot, the November general
election ballot, or a special election ballot as provided for in
subdivision (d).
(d) In the case of any special election for State Assembly, State
Senate, or Representative in Congress, on the first weekday after the
close of filing of nomination papers for the office, the Secretary
of State shall conduct a public drawing to produce a randomized
alphabet in the same manner as provided for in subdivisions (a) and
(c). The resulting randomized alphabet shall be used for determining
the order on the ballot of the candidates in both the primary
election for the special election and in the special election.