On the 38th day after the election, or as soon within that time as the returns have been received from the entire state or a congressional district, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall determine the votes cast for candidates for Senator and Representative and certify to the persons having the highest number of votes for the respective offices as duly elected.
Cal. Elec. Code § 15503
Duties of the Secretary of State
Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 149, Sec. 3
Official source: California Legislative Information. Reproduced from public-domain California statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.