Article 2. Election Of Directors of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 6. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 2.

The first directors are elected at the formation election as provided in Chapter 2. All elections of directors subsequent to the first shall be held at the same time as the general election in the manner provided in this article.

Notice of election shall be published and no other notice of such election need be given.

The board shall by resolution or ordinance fix the boundaries of the wards for the purpose of electing directors therefrom. The board of directors shall, by resolution, adjust the boundaries of any wards pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 22000) of Division 21 of the Elections Code.

The notice of election shall refer to the wards established by the board.

Not more than 113 days prior to the election, upon request, the county elections official of the principal county containing the majority of the population of the ward from which the candidate is seeking election shall issue nomination papers and all other forms required for nomination to the office of director.

Nomination papers may be circulated throughout the district.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the provisions of the Elections Code prescribed for independent nominations shall substantially govern the manner of appointment of circulators, the form of nomination papers and other forms, the securing of signatures, the filing of the candidate's declaration of candidacy, and all other things necessary to get the name of the candidate upon the ballot. At the time of issuance of nomination papers, the county elections official shall cause to be entered on the first page of each section of the nomination papers the name of the candidate and the office for which he or she is a candidate. The county elections official shall imprint a stamp on the first page of each section of the nomination papers which reads "Official Filing Form," and shall affix his or her signature. The county elections official shall keep a list containing the name and address of each candidate, the office for which he or she is a candidate, and the date on which the nomination papers were issued, which list shall be a public record.
  (b) Circulators may obtain signatures to the nomination paper of any candidate at any time not more than 113 days nor less than 88 days prior to the election. Each section of the nomination papers shall bear the name of a county and only qualified voters of that county shall sign the section. Nomination papers shall be signed either by 1 percent or by 10 of the registered voters from within the district, whichever is the lesser number, but in no event by more than 20 registered voters from within the district. Nomination papers shall be filed with the county elections official of the principal county containing the majority of the population of the ward from which the candidate is seeking election not more than 113 nor less than 88 days before the date of the election and shall be examined by the county elections official. If nomination papers for an incumbent director are not filed by 5 p.m. on the 88th day before the election, the voters shall have until 5 p.m. on the 83rd day before the election to nominate candidates other than the incumbent for that office. As soon as possible under the circumstances, the county elections official shall determine the number of valid signatures. If there are less than 10 valid signatures, the county elections official shall notify the candidate of that fact, and shall accept additional valid signatures at any time prior to the close of the period for circulating nomination papers. Each candidate, at least 88 days prior to the election, shall file a sufficient candidate's declaration of candidacy with the county elections official with whom he or she filed the nomination papers. The county elections official shall certify the names of all candidates at least 76 days prior to the date of the election so that their names may be placed upon the ballot.

The board shall in the notice, ordinance, or resolution calling an election consolidate it with the general election to be held at the same time in the respective counties in which the district is located and authorize the respective boards of supervisors to canvass the returns and certify the result of the canvass to the board. It shall be the duty of the board or boards of supervisors to so consolidate the election, canvass the returns, and cause the result thereof to be properly certified to the board of directors of the district. The election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election, and only one ticket or ballot shall be used. When the county precinct boundaries do not coincide with the boundaries of the wards in the district, the board or boards of supervisors shall, for the purpose of the election only, reprecinct the territory in which the boundaries do not coincide, at least 30 days before the election.

Candidates for the office of director shall be voted upon at large, and every voter in the district may vote for all of the directors to be elected.

Upon receipt of the returns of the canvass by the respective boards of supervisors the board shall meet and determine results of the election and declare the candidate or candidates elected.

The secretary of the district shall issue certificates of election, signed by him and duly authenticated, immediately following the determination of the result of the election by the board.