2007 California Elections Code Article 4. Snap Tallies

CA Codes (elec:14440-14443)

14440.  Before any election, the governing body of the jurisdiction
holding the election shall decide that certain offices or measures to
be voted on are of more than ordinary public interest and require an
early tabulation and announcement.  The decision shall be
transmitted to the elections official not less than 30 days before
the election.



14441.  The elections official shall prepare and forward to each
selected precinct forms containing a list of the offices and measures
designated as being of more than ordinary interest, and stating the
number of ballots to be counted for the snap tally.  In each general
election, the special form shall, for each office listed on it,
include the names of all candidates for that office whose names
appear on the ballot.
   The inspector at each selected precinct shall note the results of
the count and the total number of votes cast in the precinct on the
snap tally forms as soon as the designated number of ballots has been
tallied.  The inspector shall then communicate the figures in the
manner directed by the elections official.  In each general election,
the figures shall include the votes cast for every candidate whose
name appears on the ballot for an office listed on the forms.  The
inspector shall continue, each time the designated number of ballots
have been tallied, to note and report the results as directed.



14442.  Upon receipt from the precincts of the reports of votes cast
on the specially designated offices and measures, the elections
official shall tabulate the results and make the results available to
the public.  In each general election, all these reports of the
election results shall include the votes cast for all candidates
whose names appear on the ballot for each office for which returns
are reported.



14443.  If ballots are counted by means of electronic,
electromechanical, or punchcard device, the elections official may
provide for early tabulation and announcement of the returns in a
manner consistent with the use of the tabulating devices.