Article 1. Elections Generally of California Harbors And Navigation Code >> Division 8. >> Part 7. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 1.

(a) Except for the first election, directors shall be elected at general district elections. All other elections are special district elections. The first general district election shall be held on the same day as and shall be fully consolidated with the next statewide direct primary which is held more than six months subsequent to the formation of the district and succeeding general district elections shall be held on the same day and shall be fully consolidated with the succeeding statewide direct primaries.
  (b) No notice of a general district election need be given. The precincts, polling places and election officers shall, within the district, be the same as those provided for the statewide direct primary and the elections shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election and only one form of ballot shall be used unless some precincts are not entirely the same for both elections, in which case separate ballots may be provided as necessary.
  (c) The district shall pay to the county the actual cost of the services rendered in conducting the election upon presentation to the board of a properly approved bill from the county. The returns shall be canvassed by the county officer or officers required to canvass the returns of the statewide direct primary and a certificate stating the result of the canvass shall be filed with the board who shall declare the result and declare elected the persons having the highest number of votes given for each office.
  (d) The certificate shall be retained in the district records and the results and declaration shall be entered on the minutes of the board. The secretary shall deliver to each person elected a certificate of election signed by the secretary and authenticated with the seal of the district.

Nomination papers for the office of director shall be signed by 25 or more registered electors in the district and filed with the secretary not more than 65 nor less than 40 days before the day of election. Otherwise the directors shall be nominated in accordance with the provisions for independent nominations set forth in Part 2 (commencing at Section 8300) of Division 8 of the Elections Code so far as they may be applicable.

The provisions of the Elections Code relating to the qualifications of electors, the manner of voting, the duties of election officers, the canvassing of returns, and all other particulars in respect to the management of general elections so far as they may be applicable shall govern all district elections, except:
  (a) To the extent that the provisions of the Elections Code pertaining to the conduct of local elections are inconsistent with the provisions of that code pertaining to general elections the provisions of the Elections Code pertaining to local elections shall control.
  (b) Inconsistent provisions of this part shall control over any provisions of the Elections Code.

If there is but one person to be elected to an office, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast for the candidates for that office shall be declared elected.

If there are two or more persons to be elected to an office, those candidates equal in number to the number to be elected who receive the highest number of votes for the office shall be declared elected.

If a proposition has been submitted at the election it shall be declared carried if a majority of those voting thereon, or a higher number as may be required by law, vote in favor thereof. Otherwise it shall be declared defeated.

Special district elections held under this part or under any other law shall be called, held and conducted as provided in this part or in said other law if it so provides, but if no provision is made therein the election shall be called by resolution which shall state:
  (a) The date of the election.
  (b) The hours during which the polls shall remain open.
  (c) The election precinct or precincts, the polling place or places and the names of the officers selected to conduct the election, who shall consist of one inspector, one judge and two clerks in each precinct.
  (d) The measure or measures to be submitted to the voters.

Notice of the holding of the election shall be given by publishing the resolution calling the election pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code in at least one newspaper published in the district, the first publication to be at least two weeks prior to the date of the election. If there is no newspaper published in the district the resolution shall be posted in three public places in the district not less than two weeks prior to the date of the election. No other notice of the election need be given.

The returns of the election shall be made, the votes canvassed at least seven days following the election, and the results thereof ascertained and declared in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code, so far as they may be applicable, except as otherwise provided in this part. The secretary, as soon as the result is declared, shall enter in the district records a statement of the result.

No irregularities or informalities in conducting any district election shall invalidate the same, if the election shall have been otherwise fairly conducted.

All the expenses of district elections shall be borne by the district.