ARTICLE 2. Removal of County Seats [23680. - 23690.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 2.
in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23681. Section 23681.

A petition praying for the submission of the question of the removal of the county seat, signed by a majority of the qualified electors of any county, as determined by the number of votes cast at the preceding general election, may be presented to the board of supervisors. Upon the filing of such petition, the board shall, by due proclamation, submit the question of removal to the qualified electors of the county at the next general election.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23683. Section 23683.

The election shall be held and conducted, and the returns made in all respects as prescribed by law for elections of county officers.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23684. Section 23684.

Each elector shall vote for the place in the county which he prefers as the seat of justice, plainly designating it in his ballot.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23685. Section 23685.

The returns shall be received and compared, and the results ascertained by the board of supervisors. If two-thirds of the qualified voters of the county voting on the proposition vote in favor of removal, and in favor of any particular place, the board shall so declare on its minutes, and give notice of the result by posting notices thereof in all the election precincts of the county.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23686. Section 23686.

The notice shall declare the place selected to be the county seat of the county from a day specified, not more than 90 days after the election. After the day named the place chosen is the county seat.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23687. Section 23687.

The statement by the board of supervisors showing the result of the election shall be deposited in the office of the county elections official.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23689. Section 23689.

Unless two-thirds of the votes are cast for some other place than that fixed by law as the former county seat, no second election for the removal of the county seat shall be held within four years.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23690. Section 23690.

When the county seat has been once removed by a popular vote of the county, it may be again removed from time to time, in the manner provided by this article. An election shall not be ordered to effect any subsequent removal, unless a petition praying for an election is signed by at least three-fourths of the qualified electors of the county, as determined by the votes cast at the next preceding general election.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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