13204.
(a) The instructions to voters shall be printed below the ballot identification and above the contests to be voted on, or in the first column of the ballot as long as no contest is placed below the instructions in that column. at least three-eighths of an inch below the district designation. The instructions shall be in at least 10-point type and in an area clearly separated from the ballot contests. begin with the words “INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS:” in no smaller than 16-point gothic condensed capital type. Thereafter, there shall be printed in 10-point gothic condensed capital type all of the following directions that are applicable to the ballot: (b) (1) The instructions shall be written in plain language to communicate the following information:
(A) “To How to vote for a candidate or in a contest with “Yes” and “No” options. for Chief Justice of California; Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal; or Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, stamp a cross (+) in the voting square after the word “Yes,” to the right of the name of the candidate. To vote against that candidate, stamp a cross (+) in the voting square after the word “No,” to the right of the name of that candidate.”
(B) How to write in a candidate.
(C) What to do if a mistake is made.
(2) “To The instructions may also include warnings and checks to help voters mark their ballot correctly and avoid errors. Instructions for specific types of contests are required only if a contest of that type vote for any other candidate of your selection, stamp a cross (+) in the voting square to the right of the candidate’s name. [When justices of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal do not appear on the ballot, the instructions referring to voting after the word “Yes” or the word “No” will be deleted and the above sentence shall read: “To vote for a candidate whose name appears on the ballot. ballot, stamp a cross (+) in the voting square to the right of the candidate’s name.”] Where two or more candidates for the same office are to be elected, stamp a cross (+) after the names of all candidates for the office for whom you desire to vote, not to exceed, however, the number of candidates to be elected.”
(c) (1) For purposes of the instructions described in this section, the following text is recommended:
“Instructions for voting
To vote for a candidate, completely fill in the [voting target] next to the candidate’s name or the word “Yes” or “No.”
To “To vote for a qualified write-in candidate, write the person’s name in the blank space provided and fill in the [voting target]. for that purpose after the names of the other candidates for the same office.”
If you make a mistake, [instructions for making a correction] [or ask for a new ballot].
Make sure your vote counts.
Use a [blue or black ballpoint pen]. “To vote on any measure, stamp a cross (+) in the voting square after the word “Yes” or after the word “No.”
Do not select more candidates than the number to be elected. You may vote in as many or as few contests as you want. “Marking the ballot outside of the designated space to vote for a candidate or measure may compromise the secrecy of the ballot.”
A mistake in one contest does not affect the rest of the ballot.”
(2) “If The recommended instructions in paragraph (1) may be modified to apply to the voting system and ballot format in each county, and the administration of elections in that county. you wrongly stamp, tear, or deface this ballot, return it to the precinct board member and obtain another.”
“On vote by mail ballots mark a cross (+) with pen or pencil.”
(d) (b) The instructions may be accompanied by illustrations, customized to the ballot design in each county, that show the correct way of marking a selection on the ballot, writing in a candidate name, or correcting a mistake. to voters shall be separated by no smaller than a 2-point rule from the portion of the ballot which contains the various offices and measures to be voted on.