Article 4. Contests Involving A Recount of California Elections Code >> Division 16. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 4.

This article applies only to contests on the ground that due to mistake, error, or misconduct the votes in any precinct were so incorrectly counted as to change the result.

The superior court of that county in which is located the precinct in which the contestant demands a recount has jurisdiction.

No service other than as provided in this section need be made upon the defendant. The affidavit shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the superior court within five days after the completion of the official canvass. Upon the filing of the affidavit the county elections official shall forthwith post, in a conspicuous place in his or her office, a copy of the affidavit. Upon the filing of the affidavit and its posting, the superior court of the county shall have jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties to the contest. The contestant on the date of filing the affidavit shall send by registered mail a copy thereof to the defendant in a sealed envelope, with postage prepaid, addressed to the defendant at the place of residence named in the affidavit of registration of the defendant, and shall make and file an affidavit of mailing with the county elections official, which shall become a part of the records of the contest.

All candidates at any primary election are permitted to be candidates under this code only upon the condition that jurisdiction for the purposes of the proceeding authorized by this article shall exist in the manner and under the conditions provided for by Section 16462.

At any time within three days after the filing of the affidavit of the contestant to the effect that he or she has sent by registered mail a copy of the affidavit to the defendant, the defendant may file with the clerk of the superior court an affidavit in his or her own behalf, setting up his or her desire to have the votes counted in any precincts, designating them, in addition to the precincts designated in the affidavit of the contestant, and setting up his or her grounds therefor. On the trial of the contest all of the precincts named in the affidavits of the contestant and the defendant shall be considered, and a recount had with reference to all of those precincts. The contestant shall have the same right to answer the affidavit of the defendant as is given to the defendant with reference to the affidavit of the contestant except that the contestant's answer shall be filed not later than the first day of the trial of the contest.

The defendant shall appear, either in person or by attorney, at the time and place fixed for the hearing, and shall take notice of the order fixing the time and place from the records of the court, without service.

The defendant may not make any special appearance for any purpose except as provided in this article. Any appearance whatever of the defendant or any request to the court by the defendant or his or her attorney shall be entered as a general appearance in the contest. No demurrer or objection may be taken by the parties in any other manner than by answer, and all the objections shall be contained in the answer.

The court, if the defendant appears, shall require the answer to be made within three days from the time and place set for hearing. If the defendant does not appear the court shall note his default, and shall proceed to hear and determine the contest with all convenient speed.