California Code of Regulations

Title 2. Administration

Division 7. Secretary of State

Chapter 4.8 Recounts

Article 1. General Provisions

20350. Purpose.

1. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and procedures for conducting recounts of votes cast for all elections in the State of California requested pursuant to Chapter 9 of Division 15 of the California Elections Code.
2. This chapter applies to the Secretary of State and all elections officials within the State of California in conducting recounts of votes cast for all elections in this state.

• Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15600 and 15601, Elections Code.

  20351. Definitions.

1. “Election data media device” means a card, cartridge, USB flash memory stick or other digital storage device that stores ballot information and/or voting results information in a non-volatile form.
2. “Batches” means any grouping of the ballots for the purpose of tabulation. A batch may be comprised of ballots wholly from one precinct or from multiple precincts.
3. “Chain of Custody” means a process used to track the movement and control of all election materials related to the conduct of a recount through its lifecycle by documenting each person and organization who handles the recount election materials, the date and time it was collected or transferred, and the purpose of the transfer. A break in the chain of custody refers to a period during which control of the recount election materials is uncertain and during which actions taken with the recount elections materials are unaccounted for or unconfirmed.
4. “Governing board” includes, but is not limited to, a city council or a county board of supervisors.
5. “Interested party” means the requestor and those persons identified in Elections Code section 15628.
6. “Observer” means any representative of a qualified political party, representative of a bona fide association of citizens, or other person who wishes to observe the recount proceedings subject to space limitations.
7. “Outcome of the election” means the candidate(s) identified as the elected official(s) or the final results of the measure (“yes” or “no”) based on certified results of the election pursuant to Elections Code section 15632.
8. “Qualified political party” means only a political party qualified to participate in the last primary election.
9. “Relevant material” includes but is not limited to unvoted ballots, vote-by-mail and provisional ballot envelopes, language translation files pre- and post-election logic and accuracy testing plans and results, polling place event logs, precinct tally results, central count tally results and consolidated results in a structured, non-proprietary format, chain of custody logs, duplication logs.
10. “Requestor” means a voter who requests a recount or any other voter who, during the conduct of a recount and for 24 hours thereafter, requests the recount of additional precincts not recounted as a result of the original request.
11. "Vote tabulating device” means any piece or combination of pieces of equipment, other than a voting machine operated by levers or other mechanical means, that compiles a total of votes cast by means of electronic data processing and ballot card sorting, ballot card scanning, or paper ballot scanning.
12. “Voter” means any elector who is registered under the Elections Code.
13. “Vote for One” means an election for an office in which the voter may select only one candidate.
14. “Vote for Multiple” means an election for an office in which the voter may select two or more candidates.
15. “Voting system redundant vote data” means each and every electronic record of election results for ballots cast in a contest subject to recount on one or more voting system units that is stored in any part of the voting system other than the jurisdiction’s central electronic repository of results for that election. Some voting systems do not have redundant vote data on all tabulating or recording devices.

• Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 358, 359, 361, 15620, 15621, 15623 and 15625, Elections Code.

  20352. Who May Request Recount.

1. Any voter may, pursuant to Elections Code sections 15620, 15621 or 15623, request a recount.
2. Upon receipt of a request for recount, the elections official shall verify that the person requesting the recount is registered to vote in this state.
3. Any time during the conduct of a recount and for 24 hours thereafter, any voter other than the original requestor may, pursuant to Elections Code sections 15620, 15621 or 15623, request the recount of any precincts not recounted as a result of the original recount request.

• Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15620, 15621 and 15623, Elections Code.

  20353. Material to Be Examined; Relevant Material.

1. Requests to examine specific categories of relevant material shall be made by the requestor in writing and shall be received by the elections official before the recounting of ballots commences.
2. The elections official shall produce relevant material requested.
3. The elections official may establish reasonable guidelines for the examination of relevant material. If the elections official establishes reasonable guidelines, the elections official shall make them publicly available on their website. The guidelines shall permit photocopying, photography and videotaping of all relevant material except in a manner that would record confidential voter information including but not limited to un-redacted voter signatures, official ballots, proprietary voting system material that may otherwise present a security risk to the voting system, or other material that would be prohibited under the Public Records Act, Title 1, Division 10 of the Government Code (sections 7920.000-7931.000).
4. The elections official shall communicate any request to examine ballots or other relevant material to each interested party or to his or her representative. The interested parties and their representatives appointed pursuant to section 20356(a)(1) may be present during the examination of ballots or other relevant material.
5. The elections official, or his or her designee, shall be present during the examination of original ballots or original relevant material, but is not required to be present during the examination of copies of relevant material if the written request specified production of copies for examination.

• Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15629 and 15630, Elections Code. 

  20354. Order of Recount.

1. If no order in which precincts are to be counted is specified in the request for recount, the elections official shall determine the counting order of precincts or batches.
2. The requestor may request, in writing, a change to the order of precinct or batch counting determined by the elections official or specified in the requestor’s initial request for a recount. Any change in the counting order of precincts or batches is subject to the approval of the elections official.
3. Any additional estimated costs associated with requests to change the order of precinct or batch counting shall be paid by the requestor prior to re-ordering the precincts or batches.
4. Any additional relevant material or precincts shall not be inspected upon conclusion of the recount. 

• Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code.
  Reference: Section 15622, Elections Code.

  20355. Cost of Recount.

1. The elections official shall estimate the costs necessary to produce relevant material and the requestor shall pay an advance deposit of the estimated amount at least one day prior to the materials being produced.
2. The requestor or designee shall pay the advance deposit using cash, cashier’s check or money order at the time established by the elections official in accordance with Elections Code section 15624 and the minimum number of hours specified by Elections Code section 15626. At the elections official’s discretion, electronic payment by credit or debit card may be accepted.
   1. If a designee is appointed by the requestor to submit a payment or deposit, the requestor shall make the designation in writing, and a copy of the written designation shall be submitted to the elections officials.
3. At least one day prior to the commencement of the recount, the elections official shall determine the estimated cost for the first day of the recount and shall advise the requestor in writing of the advance deposit required. The requestor shall, before the recount is commenced, deposit this amount with the elections official. The same procedure shall be followed for each subsequent day of the recount. Daily estimates may vary based upon experience or additional requests made during the course of the recount.
4. All actual costs of the recount that would not have been incurred but for the requestor’s particular recount request shall be directly recoverable from the requestor and may include, but are not limited to, additional supervision hours, security guard hours, the elections official’s staff hours, space rental, transportation of ballots and materials and administrative costs.
5. The elections official shall issue a receipt for payment of the deposits and shall maintain a daily log of estimated costs, deposits, actual expenses and amount of refund due, if any.
6. If the advance deposit is not paid by a particular requestor, the elections official will terminate the recount of precincts specified by that requestor.
7. When the recount is completed or discontinued, any amount collected from a voter requesting the recount, which exceeds the actual costs, shall be refunded to that requestor.
8. If upon completion or discontinuation of the recount actual costs exceed the prepaid estimated costs, the elections official shall charge and the requestor shall pay the additional amount.

• Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15624 and 15625, Elections Code.

  20356. Location of Recount.

1. The recount shall take place in a location to be determined by the elections official. The elections official shall choose a location that is large enough to accommodate the presence of the following:
   1. Not more than two representatives of each interested party and each qualified political party to check and review the preparation, testing and operation of the tabulating devices, and to attend any or all phases of the recount; and
   2. Not more than two representatives of any bona fide association of citizens or a media organization to check and review the preparation, testing and operation of the tabulating devices, and have the representatives in attendance at any or all phases of the recount.
   3. In the event the elections official determines that more than two recount boards are necessary, each interested party may designate one additional representative for every additional recount board appointed, solely for the purpose of viewing the recount of ballots and challenging ballots.
2. The elections official may limit the total number of representatives employed pursuant to subdivision (a)(2) in attendance to no more than 10 by a manner in which each interested bona fide association of citizens or media organization has an equal opportunity to participate. Any representatives employed and in attendance pursuant to subdivision (a)(1) or (a)(3) shall not be subject to the limit specified in this subdivision.

• Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 5100, 15004, 15625, 15628 and 15629, Elections Code.

• 20357. Security.

1. The elections official shall develop, and prior to each statewide election, maintain written security measures for recounts to ensure the integrity of the recount proceedings. The security measures shall include, but not be limited to, physical security of the recount proceedings, recount equipment and storage of recount materials; chain of custody controls for all voted, spoiled and unused ballots, and all “relevant material” as described in section 20351(h).

2. Upon request, all persons authorized to observe the recount pursuant to section 20356 must be permitted to observe and inspect, without physical contact, the integrity of all externally visible security seals used to secure all ballot materials, printed ballot images, relevant material as described in section 20351(h), and recount documentation in a reasonable time and manner as established by the elections official that does not interfere with the conduct of the recount.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15624 and 15625, Elections Code.
 

20358. Staffing.

1. Prior to the commencement of the recount, the elections official shall determine the number of special recount boards necessary to complete the recount in a timely manner. Special recount boards shall consist of four members each, as appointed by the elections official.

2. There shall be one supervisor for every four special recount boards. The supervisor’s function is to enforce the rules and transport ballots and reports. The supervisor shall not resolve challenges.

3. The elections official shall determine whether additional personnel is necessary for tasks such as producing relevant material, sorting or retrieving materials, or checking signatures.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Section 15625, Elections Code.

20359. Scheduling.

The elections official shall set the daily schedule for the recount, including hours of operation, approximate break and lunch times, in accordance with the requirements of Elections Code section 15626. The schedule shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the office of the elections official and at the location whTere the recount takes place, if different. Recount activities will continue daily so long as the deposit has been submitted timely. If the deposit is not timely submitted, the recount shall be terminated and the elections official shall post notice in a conspicuous place at the office of the elections official that the recount has been terminated.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15625 and 15626, Elections Code.

20360. Spokespersons and Observers.

1. Any person may observe the recount proceedings, subject to space limitations of the recount location selected by the elections official pursuant to section 20356.
2. Upon request by the elections official, each interested party shall appoint one of his or her representatives to serve as a spokesperson authorized to make decisions with respect to the recount on behalf of the interested party, or the interested party may serve as his or her own spokesperson. When accompanied by an elections official or his or her designee, the spokesperson shall have access to all areas where ballots are recounted by hand or tabulated by machine.
3. Questions other than ballot challenges shall be routed through the spokesperson, who shall then direct the question to the elections official or his or her designee. Official discussions with any interested party concerning resolution of questions shall include each interested party or his or her spokesperson.
4. The elections official may require any requestor, interested party, representative, or observer of the recount proceedings to log in and receive an identification badge before entering the recount location. If required, identification badges shall be worn at all times and returned to the elections official at the end of the day.
5. Requestors, interested parties, representatives, and observers shall not interfere in any way with the conduct of the recount, touch any voting system components, ballots, tally sheets or other special recount board materials, sit at the official recount worktables, place any material on the official recount worktables, talk to members of the special recount boards or supervisors while they are processing ballots or other recount materials or assist in recount procedures.
6. The elections official may deny entry to the recount location to any person who fails to comply with the requirements of this section.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15625, 15629 and 15630, Elections Code.

20361. Media, Photography and Recording Devices.

1. The elections official shall develop, and prior to each statewide election, maintain a written policy providing reasonable access to the recount location by the media, and the use of cameras or audio or video recording devices in the recount location in a manner that will not interfere with the recount, compromise the anonymity of any ballot or record the signature of any voter. The elections official shall make the written policy publicly available on their website. Interested parties and observers shall be permitted the same access for use of cameras or audio or video recording devices as members of the media.
2. No interviews shall be permitted in the recount location while the recount is being conducted.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15625 and 15629, Elections Code.

20362. Results of Recount.

1. At the end of each day, the elections official or his or her designee shall post and announce publicly the following:
   1. The results of the recount tally of each precinct or batch recounted that day;
   2. The certified election results tally for each precinct or batch recounted that day;
   3. A running tally of the total recount results for all precincts or batches recounted to date; and
   4. A running tally of the total certified election results for all precincts or batches recounted to date.
2. Upon completion of the recount, the elections official shall post the results of the recount in a highly visible public location in the elections official’s office and on the elections official’s website.
3. In a recount of an election for a statewide office or measure, Assembly, State Senate, Presidential convention delegate or slate of electors, Congress, State Board of Equalization, Supreme Court or Courts of Appeal, transmit one complete copy of all results of the recount to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall compile the results of the recount and notify the affected counties within five (5) business days of receipt of all of the results of the recount as to whether the recount has changed the outcome of the election, as provided in Elections Code section 15632.
4. If the outcome of an election has changed as a result of a recount, as provided in Elections Code section 15632, the elections official shall:
   1. In a recount of an election for a statewide office or measure, Assembly, State Senate, presidential convention delegate or elector, Congress, State Board of Equalization, Supreme Court or Courts of Appeal, recertify the official returns for the recounted election with the new official count for each precinct involved in the recount and send a copy of the recertification to the Secretary of State.
   2. In a recount of an election for any office or measure not included in subdivision (d)(1), recertify the official returns for the election with the new official count for each precinct involved in the recount and send a copy of the recertification to the public official or governing board that declares the results of the election subject to the recount, in order that they may adopt the recertification and re-declare the results of the election.
   3. Refund all monies deposited for the recount by any requestor in whose favor the recount changed the outcome of the election. If a recount conducted in multiple counties changed the overall outcome of the election, all monies deposited in all affected counties by such a requestor shall be refunded. No refund shall be made if the recount did not change the overall outcome of the election.
5. Any additional relevant material or precincts shall not be inspected upon conclusion of the recount.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15624, 15625, 15632 and 15633, Elections Code.

20363. Challenges.

1. A challenged ballot shall be set aside with a notation indicating the precinct number, the method by which it was originally counted for the official canvass, e.g., voting system, scanner or hand count, the challenge number assigned to the ballot, the reason for the challenge, and the identity of the person making the challenge.
   1.  A ballot that was counted in the official canvass, including a counted vote-by-mail or provisional ballot, may be challenged only on grounds visible on the face of the ballot so that the ballot can be isolated and removed from the count if the elections official determines that the ballot was not properly cast.
   2. A voted ballot that was not counted in the official canvass, including a rejected unopened vote-by-mail or provisional ballot, may be challenged and added to the count if the elections official determines that the ballot was properly cast.
2. Resolution of challenged ballots shall take place in a segregated area within the recount location, separate from that being used to perform the recount, as determined by the elections official, to avoid confusion and mixing of ballots.
3. Challenges shall be resolved each day after all special recount boards complete their work, or more often if necessary, as determined by the elections official, but in any event before the conclusion of all recount proceedings. The determination of the elections official on a challenge shall be final. The elections official shall maintain a record of each challenge and the determination on each challenge.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15625 and 15631, Elections Code.

Article 2. Recount of Votes Cast on Ballot Cards or Paper Ballots and Originally Tabulated Automatically.

20370. Recounts Using the Type of Vote Tabulating Devices Used In the Election.

1. Prior to conducting a recount of ballot cards or paper ballots using the type of vote tabulating devices used in the election, a logic and accuracy test limited to the contest subject to recount shall be conducted on each of the vote tabulating devices to be used in the recount, using a test deck created to test logic and accuracy for the contest to be recounted. The test shall be conducted publicly, subject to any limit made necessary by space limitations on the number of additional public observers beyond those that must be accommodated under section 20356. The results of the test, as well as the test deck used, shall be made available for inspection by any requestor, spokesperson, member of the media or observer present at the recount location between the time the test is completed and the posted time for recounting of ballots to begin.
2. A recount using the type of vote tabulating devices used in the election shall, to the maximum extent possible, be conducted using the same methods used to tabulate the ballots originally, and shall include the following:
   1. On equipment capable of producing a paper tape or print-out, a zero-results tape or report shall be printed from each vote tabulating device, if feasible without new election coding and if supported by the device in the configuration used in the election, and verified by the requestor and spokespersons prior to any processing of ballots with that device.
   2. If necessary to preserve the original vote count record, a backup of the election results shall be made and the same type of memory media that was used in the election shall be prepared to capture the recount vote results.
   3. Each voted ballot shall be processed with the same type of vote tabulating devices used in the election.
   4. Ballots that cannot be read by the vote tabulating devices shall be corrected or duplicated in accordance with Elections Code sections 15208, 15210 and 15211.
3. Once all eligible ballots cast in a precinct have been processed by a tabulating device, the device shall, if supported by the voting system, be rendered incapable of accepting further ballots for that precinct and the vote results shall be printed from that device and made available for public inspection. If supported by the voting system, the following steps shall also be taken:
   1. Recount vote results of ballots cast in each precinct subject to recount shall be uploaded to the voting system’s central tabulation and reporting application; and
   2. The elections official shall report separately the recount vote results for each precinct subject to recount. Such reporting will include the number of ballots undervoted and overvoted in the recounted contest.
4. At the conclusion of tabulation of all precincts designated for the recount, a logic and accuracy test limited to the contest subject to recount shall be conducted on each tabulating device used in the recount, using the same test deck created prior to the recount to test logic and accuracy for the contest. The test shall be conducted publicly, subject to any limit made necessary by space limitations on the number of additional public observers beyond those that must be accommodated under section 20356. The elections official shall make the results of the logic and accuracy test, as well as the test deck used for the test, available for inspection by the requestor, spokespersons, members of the media and observers at the recount location before the conclusion of the recount.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15633, 19220, 19360, 19380 and 19381, Elections Code.

20371. Manual Recounts Generally.

1. One of the four special recount board members shall read the ballot and call out the vote cast for the contest subject to recount on that ballot; one shall observe that the correct call was made, and two members shall each separately and independently record the votes as called out.
2. Prior to beginning the actual manual recount, the elections official shall instruct all members of the special recount boards, requestor, interested parties, representatives and observers on the procedures to be followed for the recount and shall provide them with copies of these recount regulations, any local documentation concerning recount procedure, and documentation on how to interpret and read the votes cast on the ballot, consistent with federal and state law and Chapter 4.5 of these regulations. The instructions and documentation shall include a statement that in the event of a challenge, the determination of the elections official shall be final.
3. Vote-by-mail and early-voted ballots cast from a precinct subject to recount shall be tabulated separately from ballots cast in a polling place on election day.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15101, 15102, 15103, 15104, 15105, 15106, 15107, 15108, 15109, 15110, 15276, 15290 and 15625, Elections Code.

20372. Manual Recounts, “Vote for One” Contests.

Manual recount tabulation on a voting system in a “Vote for One” contest is subject to the following requirements:

1. Prior to counting the ballots, and in the clear view of the requestor, spokespersons and observers, all ballots for the precinct shall be separated into stacks that do and do not contain the contest. Those that contain the contest shall be sorted as follows:
   1. Ballots that were not voted for the contest (under-voted);
   2. Ballots that were over-voted for the contest; and
   3. Ballots that were voted for the contest, sorted by candidate or position.
2. Starting with the voted ballots, one member of the special recount board shall state the candidate or position for which the vote was cast making sure the requestor, interested parties and their representatives can observe the contest subject to recount.
3. After the vote is stated and counted, the counted ballot shall be placed on the table, with the counted ballots placed in stacks of either 10 or 25, at the discretion of the elections official.
4. Two members of the special recount board shall record the votes stated, marking hashes in succession on their individual tally sheets. Each of these two board members shall announce when he or she has counted 10 (or 25) votes. If both members call out the same number of counted votes at the same time, the tally shall continue forward for the next 10 (or 25) ballots. If both recorders do not reach 10 (or 25) additional votes on the same ballot, then the count for the last interval of 10 (or 25) ballots shall be stricken from their tally sheets and those ballots recounted.
5. A requestor or an authorized spokesperson may request to inspect any ballot. Tallying shall be halted while the ballot is presented to the requestor or spokesperson for closer inspection. At no time may any requestor or spokesperson touch or come into physical contact with any of the ballots. Tallying will resume once the requestor or spokesperson has completed the inspection, which the requestor or spokesperson shall complete in a reasonable amount of time.
6. Tallying shall continue in this manner, until all stacks of voted ballots have been tallied.
7. After all voted ballots have been counted and tallied, the two special recount board members who have been recording the votes shall each independently calculate the total votes for each candidate or position on their tally sheets. When both have completed totaling, they shall each announce their totals one candidate or vote position at a time. If both announce the identical vote total for each candidate or position in the recounted contest, the recount of that precinct shall be deemed complete and the results reported to the elections official. If the special recount board members announce different vote totals for any candidate or vote position in the recounted contest, the recount tallies recorded will be examined. If the difference can be explained by the special recount board or supervisor, or by the elections official or his or her designee, it shall be corrected on the tally sheet. A written report shall be made on an attachment to the tally sheet. In the event of an unexplained discrepancy, the results for that precinct shall be discarded and the recount of that precinct shall start over.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15276, 15290, 15629, 15630 and 19380, Elections Code.

20373. Manual Recounts, “Vote for Multiple” Contests.

Manual recount tabulation on a voting system in a “Vote for Multiple” contest is subject to the following requirements:

1. Prior to counting the ballots for the contest subject to recount, and in the clear view of the requestor, spokespersons and observers, all ballots for the precinct shall be separated into stacks that do and do not contain the contest. Those that contain the contest shall be sorted as follows:
   1. Ballots that were not voted for the contest (under-voted);
   2. Ballots that were over-voted for the contest;
   3. Ballots indicating a vote for the first candidate listed on the ballot for the contest; and
   4. Ballots that do not indicate a vote for the first candidate listed on the ballot for the contest.
2. Starting with the voted ballots, one member of the special recount board shall state the candidate or position for which the vote was cast making sure the requestor, interested parties and their representatives can observe the contest subject to recount.
3. After the vote is stated and counted, the counted ballot shall be placed on the table, with the counted ballots placed in stacks of 10 (or 25).
4. Two members of the special recount board shall record the votes stated, marking hashes in succession on their individual tally sheets. Each of these two board members shall announce when he or she has counted 10 (or 25) votes. If both members call out 10 (or 25) counted votes at the same time, the tally shall continue forward for the next 10 (or 25) ballots. If both recorders do not reach 10 (or 25) additional votes on the same ballot, then the count for the last interval of 10 (or 25) ballots shall be stricken from their tally sheets and those ballots recounted.
5. A requestor or an authorized spokesperson may request to inspect any ballot. Tallying shall be halted while the ballot is presented to the requestor or spokesperson for closer inspection. At no time may any requestor or spokesperson touch or come into physical contact with any of the ballots. Tallying will resume once the inspection is completed, which the requestor or spokesperson shall complete in a reasonable amount of time.
6. Once all the votes for the first candidate have been recorded, the valid voted ballots shall be resorted into two stacks:
   1. Ballots that were voted for the second candidate in the contest; and
   2. Ballots that do not indicate a vote for the second candidate in the contest.

   The ballots voted for the second candidate shall be calculated in accordance with (b) through (e) above. Tallying shall continue in this manner, until the votes for each candidate in the contest have been recounted and tallied.

7. After all voted ballots have been counted and tallied, the two special recount board members who have been recording the votes will each independently calculate the total votes for each candidate or position on their tally sheets. When both have completed totaling, they will each announce their totals one candidate or vote position at a time. If both announce the identical vote total for each candidate or position in the recounted contest, the recount of that precinct shall be deemed complete and the results reported to the elections official. If the special recount board members announce different vote totals for any candidate or vote position in the recounted contest, the recount tallies recorded and announced will be examined. If the difference can be explained by the special recount board or supervisor, or by the elections official or his or her designee, it shall be corrected on the tally sheet. A written explanation shall be made on an attachment to the tally sheet. In the event of an unexplained discrepancy, the results for that precinct shall be discarded and the recount of that precinct will start over.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 15601, Elections Code. Reference: Sections 15276, 15290, 15629, 15630 and 19380, Elections Code.