Section 14403 Of Article 1. General Provisions From California Elections Code >> Division 14. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 1.
14403
. Immediately upon the closing of the polls and before any
voted ballot is taken from any of the ballot containers, the precinct
board member shall, in the presence of all persons in the room who
may desire to observe them, proceed to render the unused ballots
unusable in one of the following ways:
(a) By drawing across its face, in ink or indelible pencil, two
lines that cross each other, the cross to be more than three inches
square. The precinct board member shall thereupon, immediately and
before any ballots are taken from any ballot container, place all
defaced ballots within an envelope or other receptacle provided for
that purpose.
(b) By tearing or cutting in a manner so that it is apparent that
the ballot has been intentionally destroyed to prevent its use. If
this method of destruction is used, it shall be done in a manner so
that the serial number of the ballots is retained for the purposes of
reconciliation.
(c) By placing all of the unused ballots into a special container
provided for that purpose. A tamperproof seal containing spaces for
entering the total number of unused ballots enclosed, the beginning
and ending serial numbers thereof, and signature lines for all
members of the precinct board following a statement certifying that
all of the ballots were placed in the container in their presence and
the information on the seal is true and correct, shall be provided.
After signing the seal, it shall be placed on the container in a
manner so that the container cannot be opened without tearing the
seal.