§ 3-11-13-27 — Determination of system readiness; certification

Indiana § 3-11-13-27

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 11: VOTING METHODS, SUPPLIES, AND
• Ch. 13: Voting by Ballot Card Voting System

Text

(a) After the delivery of a ballot card voting
system to a precinct or vote center, the precinct election board may
meet at the polls on the same day and open the package containing the
sample ballot cards, to determine whether the system is ready for use
in accordance with section 16 of this chapter. If a ballot card voting
system is not in compliance with that section, the board shall
immediately label, set and adjust, and place the system in order or have
it done.
(b) While acting under subsection (a), the precinct election board
may restrict access to parts of the room where marking devices and
other election material are being handled to safeguard this material.
(c) On the morning of election day, the precinct election officers
shall meet at the polls at least one (1) hour before the time for opening
the polls. The inspector then shall have:
(1) the boundaries of the chute designated;
(2) the instruction cards and either the:
(A) sample ballots; or
(B) notice under section 10(b) or 10(c) of this chapter;
posted; and
(3) everything put in readiness for the commencement of voting
at the opening of the polls.
(d) Before the opening of the polls, the precinct election officers
shall do the following:
(1) Compare the ballot cards used in the marking device with the
sample ballots furnished and determine whether the names,
numbers, and letters are in agreement.
(2) Determine that the system records that zero (0) votes have
been cast for each candidate and on each public question.
(3) Assure that the system is otherwise in perfect order.
(e) The officers then shall certify that:
(1) the marking device and the sample ballots are in agreement;
(2) the system records zero (0) votes cast; and
(3) the system appears to be in perfect order.
Forms shall be provided for certification, and the certification shall be
filed with the election returns.
(f) This subsection applies to a county using vote centers. Not later
than the first date that a voter may cast a ballot at a vote center, the
county election board shall do both of the following:
(1) Make the comparison between the sample ballots, regular
official ballots, and provisional ballots as provided in subsection
(d).
(2) Certify that the ballots are in agreement.
A copy of the certification shall be entered into the minutes of the
county election board.
(g) This subsection applies to a county using vote centers. The
county election board shall do all of the following:
(1) Have copies of each sample ballot for each precinct available
for inspection by a voter at each vote center.
(2) Post a notice in the vote center stating that sample ballots are
available for inspection upon request by the voter.
(3) Determine that the system records that zero (0) votes have
been cast for each candidate and on each public question and
complete the required certification under subsection (e).
[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-4(e) part.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.311; P.L.3-1997, SEC.322; P.L.221-2005, SEC.81; P.L.278-2019, SEC.107; P.L.227-2023, SEC.98.