(a) This section applies only to special districts electing members of the governing body in odd-numbered years. As used in this section, “special district” means an agency of the state formed pursuant to general law or special act, for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries, except a city, county, city and county, school or community college district, or special assessment district.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a governing body of a special district may, by resolution, require that its elections of governing body members be held on the same day as the statewide general election.

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(1) The resolution setting the election shall also include dates that are consistent with the primary or general election with respect to nominations, notices, canvass of votes, certification of election, and all other procedural requirements of this code pertaining to the primary or general election.

(2) The resolution shall be submitted to the board of supervisors no later than 240 days prior to the date of the currently scheduled district election.

(c) The board of supervisors shall notify all districts located in the county of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of consolidation.

(d) The elections official shall prepare and transmit to the board of supervisors an impact analysis of the proposed consolidation.

(e) The board of supervisors, within 60 days from the date of submission, shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. Prior to the adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors shall each obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action.

(f) Within 30 days after the approval of the resolution, the elections official shall notify all registered voters of the districts affected by the consolidation of the approval of the resolution by the board of supervisors. The notice shall be delivered by mail and at the expense of the district.

(g) Public notices of the proceedings in which the resolution is to be considered for adoption shall be made pursuant to § 25151 of the Government Code.

(h) If a special district is located in more than one county, the special district may not consolidate an election if any county in which the special district is located denies the request for consolidation.

(i) If, pursuant to subdivision (b), a special district election is held on the same day as the statewide general election, those governing body members whose terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the resolution, expired prior to that election shall, instead, continue in their offices until their successors are elected and qualified, but in no event shall the term be extended beyond December 31 of the year following the year in which the request for consolidation is approved by the board of supervisors.

(j) If a board of supervisors approves the resolution pursuant to subdivision (e), the special district election shall be conducted on the date specified by the board of supervisors, in accordance with subdivision (a), unless the approval is later rescinded by the board of supervisors.

(k) If the date of a special district election is changed pursuant to this section, at least one election shall be held before the resolution, as approved by the board of supervisors, may be subsequently repealed or amended.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 731, Sec. 5. (AB 1535) Effective January 1, 2016.)