Elections: official canvass.

The document changed from the official authenticated chaptered format (with 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL' header and page numbers) to a web page layout that includes navigation menus, search tools, bill version history, and a digest key showing vote type, appropriation status, fiscal committee review, and local program designation.

The deadline for elections officials to finish counting all ballots and release vote counts was extended from 10 days to 13 days following the election.

A new exception (subdivision (b)(6)) exempts ballots received by an elections official after the fourth day following the election from the counting deadline.

The extension process was changed from a discretionary model where the Secretary of State could grant an extension upon finding sufficient grounds, to a mandatory notice system where the elections official must file a notice of extension with reasons, and both the Secretary of State and the elections official must post the filing on their respective websites.

The legislative intent statement (former Section 1) declaring it the Legislature's intent to assist counties in prompt tallying and release of election results was removed.

The bill now carries a state-mandated local program designation (changed from no to yes), meaning the state must reimburse local agencies for costs mandated by the bill if the Commission on State Mandates determines such costs exist.

The bill was formally designated as Chapter 250 with the Governor's approval date of October 3, 2025, replacing the earlier passage-by-legislature header.

An authentication block ('STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL') was added to the top of the document.

The 'Private Secretary of the Governor' receipt line and blank date/time fields were removed, as they are no longer needed once the bill is signed.

Line breaks, indentation, and page numbering were reformatted throughout to match the official chaptered layout. The statutory text content is unchanged.

Header changed from showing amendment history and introduction date (December 2, 2024) to showing passage dates: Passed the Assembly September 9, 2025 and Passed the Senate September 8, 2025.

Line-number annotations (e.g., 'line 1', 'line 2') were removed from the statutory text in the enrolled version.

A Governor's approval line ('Approved ___, 2025') was added at the end of the bill.

Added Section 15307 to the Elections Code requiring elections officials to finish counting all ballots and release vote counts on or before the 10th day following an election.

Added five specific exceptions to the 10-day deadline: duplicate ballots, forwarded mail ballots, ballots requiring signature verification or provision, provisional ballots, and ballots from conditional voter registrations.

The bill's scope changed from a purely declaratory statement of legislative intent (no operative legal effect) to an enforceable statutory requirement with specific deadlines and exceptions.

Added a mechanism allowing elections officials to request an extension of the 10-day deadline from the Secretary of State, who may grant it if there are sufficient grounds.

Added Section 2 providing that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill contains state-mandated costs, reimbursement shall be made to local agencies and school districts under Government Code Part 7.

State-mandated local program designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' and fiscal committee review changed from 'no' to 'yes,' reflecting the new financial obligations imposed on counties.