California Code, Elections Code - ELEC § 15701

If a postelection deadline imposed by this code prevents the proper tabulation or recounting of ballots, the county elections official of the affected county may petition the superior court of that county for an extension sufficient to permit the tabulation or recounting of ballots. The court may grant the petition if it finds that the time limitation would prevent the counting of all votes as required by Section 2.5 of Article II of the California Constitution.