(a) The Secretary of State shall adopt regulations governing the manufacture, finishing, quality standards, distribution, and inventory control of ballot cards and ballot on demand systems. For commercial ballot manufacturers and finishers, the Secretary of State shall require a biennial inspection of the certified manufacturing, finishing, and storage facilities. The Secretary of State shall also approve each ballot card manufacturer, finisher, and ballot on demand system before manufacturing or finishing ballot cards, or deploying a ballot on demand system, for use in California elections.

(b) Not later than five working days before the Secretary of State begins his or her initial inspection, the ballot card manufacturer, finisher, or ballot on demand system vendor shall disclose to the Secretary of State in writing any known flaw or defect in its ballot card manufacturing or finishing process, manufactured or finished ballot cards, or ballot on demand system that could adversely affect the future casting or tallying of votes. Once approved by the Secretary of State, the ballot card manufacturer, finisher, or ballot on demand system vendor shall notify the Secretary of State and the affected local elections officials in writing within two business days after it discovers any flaw or defect in its ballot card manufacturing or finishing process, manufactured or finished ballot cards, or ballot on demand system that could adversely affect the future casting or tallying of votes.

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(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 734, Sec. 4. (SB 439) Effective January 1, 2016.)