(a) Counting of words, for purposes of this code, shall be as follows:

(1) Punctuation is not counted.

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(2) Each word shall be counted as one word except as specified in this section.

(3) All proper nouns, including geographical names, shall be considered as one word; for example, “City and County of San Francisco” shall be counted as one word.

(4) Each abbreviation for a word, phrase, or expression shall be counted as one word.

(5) Hyphenated words that appear in any generally available standard reference dictionary, published in the United States at any time within the 10 calendar years immediately preceding the election for which the words are counted, including a generally available standard reference dictionary published online, shall be considered as one word. Each part of all other hyphenated words shall be counted as a separate word.

(6) Dates shall be counted as one word.

(7) Any number consisting of a digit or digits shall be considered as one word. Any number which is spelled, such as “one,” shall be considered as a separate word or words. “One” shall be counted as one word whereas “one hundred” shall be counted as two words. “100” shall be counted as one word.

(8) Telephone numbers shall be counted as one word.

(9) Internet website addresses shall be counted as one word.

(b) This section does not apply to counting words for ballot designations under Section 13107.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 479, Sec. 1. (AB 1762) Effective January 1, 2024.)