Article 2. Removal Of County Seats of California Government Code >> Division 1. >> Title 3. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 2.
County seats may be removed and new locations selected as
provided in this article.
A petition praying for the submission of the question of the
removal of the county seat, signed by a majority of the qualified
electors of any county, as determined by the number of votes cast at
the preceding general election, may be presented to the board of
supervisors. Upon the filing of such petition, the board shall, by
due proclamation, submit the question of removal to the qualified
electors of the county at the next general election.
Notice of the election shall be given, clearly stating the
object.
The election shall be held and conducted, and the returns
made in all respects as prescribed by law for elections of county
officers.
Each elector shall vote for the place in the county which he
prefers as the seat of justice, plainly designating it in his
ballot.
The returns shall be received and compared, and the results
ascertained by the board of supervisors. If two-thirds of the
qualified voters of the county voting on the proposition vote in
favor of removal, and in favor of any particular place, the board
shall so declare on its minutes, and give notice of the result by
posting notices thereof in all the election precincts of the county.
The notice shall declare the place selected to be the county
seat of the county from a day specified, not more than 90 days after
the election. After the day named the place chosen is the county
seat.
The statement by the board of supervisors showing the result
of the election shall be deposited in the office of the county
elections official.
The board shall transmit a certified copy of the notice of
the selection of a county seat to the Secretary of State.
Unless two-thirds of the votes are cast for some other place
than that fixed by law as the former county seat, no second election
for the removal of the county seat shall be held within four years.
When the county seat has been once removed by a popular vote
of the county, it may be again removed from time to time, in the
manner provided by this article. An election shall not be ordered to
effect any subsequent removal, unless a petition praying for an
election is signed by at least three-fourths of the qualified
electors of the county, as determined by the votes cast at the next
preceding general election.