3018.5.
(a) (1) Upon receiving a vote by mail ballot, the elections official, while in the process of verifying the voter’s signature on a vote by mail ballot envelope, shall examine the envelope for signs ofdamage, including, but not limited to, significant rips, tears, or attempts to unseal, open, or reseal the vote by mail envelope. (2) If the elections official determines that the envelope shows signs of damage, the elections official shall send notice to the voter by first class mail on or before the next business day, but not later than eight days before the certification of the election. The notice shall explain that the damaged ballot will not be processed and that the voter may vote a new ballot pursuant to subdivision (b).
(b) A vote by mail voter whose envelope shows signs of damage shall have the option to receive and submit a new vote by mail ballot, or to vote a nonprovisional ballot in person at the polling place designated for the voter’s home precinct on or before election day, at a vote center established pursuant to Section 4005, or at the office or satellite office of an elections official where voting is permitted.
(c) The elections official shall not process a ballot that arrives in an envelope that shows signs of damage, including, but not limited to, significant rips, tears, or attempts to unseal, open, or reseal the vote by mail envelope.