Election results.

Senator Cervantes's elections transparency legislation modifies how California elections officials communicate ballot counting progress, doubling the minimum frequency of required result updates and establishing new website posting standards. The measure revises Section 15306 of the Elections Code to require officials to post updates at least twice by the Thursday following an election, followed by biweekly updates until vote counting concludes.

The bill specifies precise website placement requirements for key information. Elections officials must display ballot processing statistics and estimated remaining ballot counts directly on their homepage or dedicated election page, rather than through separate linked documents. The same direct posting requirement applies to the schedule of upcoming result updates. These posting requirements remain in effect until officials either publish certified results or have only signature verification ballots remaining to process.

Local elections offices face new administrative responsibilities under the measure, which the state Constitution classifies as a mandated local program. The bill provides for state reimbursement of associated costs to local agencies and school districts if the Commission on State Mandates determines the changes create new financial obligations. These provisions supplement, rather than replace, existing election reporting requirements under state law.