Section 17306 Of Chapter 4. Precinct Supplies And Ballots From California Elections Code >> Division 17. >> Chapter 4.
17306
. (a) The following provisions shall apply to all state or
local elections not provided for in subdivision (a) of Section 17305.
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) Upon the completion of the counting of the votes as provided
in Article 4 (commencing with Section 15640) of Chapter 12 of
Division 15, all ballot cards shall be arranged by precincts and
shall be kept by the elections official for six months from the date
of the election or so long thereafter as any contest involving the
vote at the election remains undetermined.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the final
disposition of all voted ballot cards shall be determined by the
elections official.
(d) Sealed ballot containers may be opened if the elections
official determines it is necessary in a shredding or recycling
process. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow packages
or containers to be opened except for purposes specified herein. The
packages or containers shall otherwise remain unopened until the
ballots are destroyed or recycled.