10 ILCS 5/ Election Code.

(10 ILCS 5/24-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-15)

Sec. 24-15. As soon as the polls are closed, the voting machine or machines shall be locked in order to prevent further voting and each machine shall be sealed against voting and tampering, with a numbered metal seal, and the number of such metal seal shall be recorded at once on the certificate provided for that purpose, and the number on the protective counter of each voting machine shall also be recorded on the certificate in the space provided for that purpose, and the number on the public counter shall be recorded in the space provided for that purpose. The counting compartment shall then be opened in the presence of all the precinct election officials and all watchers and other persons who may be lawfully within the room, giving full view of the numbers announcing the votes cast for each candidate, and the vote for and against each of the questions or other propositions. Provided, however, when a machine is equipped with a device which will automatically record the number on the registering columns for each candidate, question or proposition on the back of the machine to a paper recording sheet then the recording sheet shall be removed and the vote cast shall be announced from the recording sheet for each candidate and the vote for and against each question or proposition. When voting machines are used in an election precinct, the watchers provided by law to be present in the polling place on election day shall be permitted to make a record of the number on the metal seal with which each voting machine is sealed, and to also record the number shown on the protective counter of each voting machine, and such watchers shall also be permitted to examine the counters of the voting machines as the totals are being announced for transcription to the return sheets or from the recording sheets and also to examine the return sheets or the recording sheets as the totals are being recorded or checked thereon. In voting machine precincts where the voting machine is not equipped with the automatic recording sheet the officer, officers board or boards charged by law to furnish the ballot labels for the voting machines shall also furnish for each election precinct in which a voting machine is to be used, at least two duplicate return sheets which shall be used by the precinct election board of such election precinct for recording the results of the election. Such return sheets shall be printed in the form of a diagram exactly corresponding, in arrangement, with the face of the voting machine, and such return sheets shall also correspond, in as far as arrangement is concerned, with the sample ballots, and each return sheet shall provide printed instructions for the exact procedure which the precinct election board shall follow when making the canvass of the results of the election, and such return sheets shall also provide the office titles, party names, candidates' names and code letters and number, arranged in the same manner as on the ballot labels, and there shall be provided a space for inserting the serial number of each voting machine, so that the totals recorded from each voting machine may be identified as being from a certain voting machine, and there shall be provided a space for recording such separate total for each candidate and constitutional amendment, or other question or proposition, from each separate voting machine, and a space for recording the total of the vote by mail and early vote in the same manner, so that the final total for each candidate, constitutional amendment, question or other proposition, may be totaled by adding all the figures in a column. Totals on the return sheets shall be recorded in figures only, in ink. The same authorities shall also furnish to each such election precinct suitable printed forms for use by the precinct election board, in making out the certificates provided for in this Article. Such certificates shall be made a part of the return sheets if practicable, or may be on separate sheets.

(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

(10 ILCS 5/24-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-16)

Sec. 24-16. The precinct election officers shall then ascertain the number of votes which the candidates received both on the machine or machines, and by the voting of irregular ballots, if any. Except when the machine is equipped with a device which will automatically record the registering column on the back of the machine to sheets of paper giving the accurate vote cast for each candidate. Two precinct election officials, not members of the same political party, shall write the totals in figures, in ink, for such candidate on the duplicate return sheets provided for that purpose, while one election officer announces in a distinct voice the total vote cast for each candidate thus ascertained in the order of the offices as their titles are arranged on the ballot label, and the remaining precinct election official or officials, if any, shall be stationed at the counter compartment of the voting machine being canvassed and shall watch each total as it is being called out from the registering counters. Each precinct election official who is recording the totals on the return sheets shall distinctly repeat each total as it is announced from the counter of the voting machine. The totals of each machine for each candidate shall be recorded on the return sheets in such a manner that they may be identified by the serial number of the voting machine. The vote both for and against each question or other proposition shall also be announced and recorded in the same manner as the vote for the candidates. When the machine is equipped with a device which will automatically record the registering column on the back of the machine to recording sheets of paper giving the accurate vote cast for each candidate then the totals cast for each candidate or each question or proposition shall be called out the same as if they were being read from the Counter Compartment of the voting machine, provided however the paper recording sheet shall constitute the return sheet for the precinct or consolidated area and no return sheets shall be required. When more than one voting machine is used in the same election precinct, the canvass of the first machine shall be completed before the second and so on. When the canvass of all totals shall have been completed, the precinct election board shall canvass all vote by mail ballots in the same manner provided by law for canvassing paper ballots. The totals of the vote by mail votes for each candidate and for each question or other proposition shall be recorded on the return sheets under the totals from the voting machines and the final total of the votes received by each candidate, and each constitutional amendment, question or other proposition, shall be ascertained and recorded in the space provided for that purpose on the return sheets. Upon the completion of the canvass as hereinbefore provided, one of the precinct election officials shall, in a loud and distinct voice announce the total votes received by each candidate, and the total votes cast both for and against each constitutional amendment, question or other proposition, and such proclamation shall be made slowly enough so as to enable anyone desiring to do so, to record each such result as it is announced. Except where a voting machine is equipped with an automatic recording sheet when the proclamation is completed, the election official who announced the totals from the counters of the machine or machines, shall take his place at one of the return sheets and one of the election officials of the opposite party who has completed the recording of the returns on the return sheets shall take his place at the counter compartment of the voting machine first canvassed, and he shall then proceed to announce each total on each registering counter in the same manner as it was done for the first canvass. Before the recheck of the voting machine is begun, the two precinct election officials who are to recheck the totals on the return sheets shall exchange return sheets and each election official shall then, as the canvass proceeds, check each total as it is announced from the registering counters of the voting machine or machines for the second time. As each total is announced each precinct election official who is checking the totals on the return sheets shall repeat in a loud and distinct voice each total as it is announced. If any errors in the original canvass are discovered they shall be corrected at once in the presence of all the precinct election officials and a certificate shall be prepared and signed by each such election official, setting forth which errors were discovered and what corrections were made, and such certificate shall be made in duplicate and one filed with each return sheet. During the process of rechecking each total on the machines, the precinct election official or officials, if any, who at the original canvass acted as watcher or watchers at the registering counters of the machines, shall in the same manner verify the accuracy of each total as it is announced from the machine or machines and is repeated by the two precinct election officials who are rechecking the totals as written on the return sheets. When this recheck is completed the entire precinct election board shall take one of the return sheets and fold it in accordion pleats approximately ten inches wide with the face of the return sheet out, in such a manner that each pleat can easily be turned as the final recheck proceeds. The entire precinct election board shall then begin at the voting machine first canvassed and each such election official shall, simultaneously with the other such election officials, and in the presence of each other, examine each registering counter on the voting machine, and immediately examine the corresponding record for that counter, as it is written on the return sheet, and shall satisfy himself that both numbers are the same. Each total on each voting machine shall be as examined and when such examination has been completed, the entire precinct election board shall then compare each total on such return sheet with the corresponding total on the duplicate return sheet and each precinct election official shall satisfy himself that all totals are the same on both return sheets. Each precinct election official shall sign a certificate stating that each step in the canvass of the voting machines, as provided herein, has been carefully and faithfully carried out in every detail. If any errors are discovered during the final recheck of the registering counters and comparison of the duplicate return sheets, such errors shall be corrected at once, and each precinct election official shall sign a certificate stating which errors were found and what corrections were made and such corrections shall be made in the presence of all the precinct election officials. The precinct election board shall then canvass the irregular ballot in substantially the same manner as the law provides for canvassing the returns for paper ballots, and shall record the results thereof on the return sheets in the space provided for that purpose. Before leaving the room and before closing and locking the counting compartment, each precinct election official shall make and sign the certificate and written statements and the return sheets of such election as provided by law. In precincts where the voting machines are equipped with the automatic recording sheet and two or more machines the total vote cast for each candidate, question or proposition from each machine shall be recorded separately on the statement of votes as provided for in Section 18-14, and the grand total of all votes appearing on the recording sheets shall be recorded on the statement of votes and proclaimed by the judges in the same manner as is herein provided for proclamation of votes from the return sheets. All vote by mail ballots and irregular ballots of each voting machine shall be returned to the proper officer together with the return sheets and certificates and supplies and such vote by mail ballots and irregular machine ballots shall be preserved and finally destroyed as is now provided by law when paper ballots are used. The written statements or returns so made, after having been properly signed, shall be distinctly and clearly read in the hearing of all persons present in the polling place, and ample opportunity shall be given to compare the results so certified with the counter dials of the machine. After such comparison and correction, if any is made, the precinct election officials shall then close the counting compartment and lock the same. Thereafter the voting machine shall remain locked and sealed against voting for a period of at least 30 days, after the results of the election have been declared, unless otherwise ordered by the circuit court: provided, however, upon application to the circuit court, the circuit judge may order the said machines opened prior to the thirty day period herein required to be closed. The circuit court in its order shall specify the manner in which the count recorded on the machines shall be taken and preserved: provided, however, when the machines are equipped with any recording or photographic device on which votes registered on the mechanical counters will be separately recorded or photographed, as provided in Section 24-18 hereof, and it is necessary to use said machines at an election occurring within said 30 days, then after the machines have remained locked for a period of 48 hours they may be prepared for such subsequent election as herein provided. Whenever it is necessary to reset the machines for another election prior to the time limit for the filing of election contests, it shall be the duty of the proper officials to make a photographic record of the machines involved to be used in case of an election contest, whereupon the machines may be set back to zero and arranged for the next election.

(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

(10 ILCS 5/24-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-17)

Sec. 24-17. All of the keys of the machine or machines other than those automatically sealed in the machine, shall be placed in the envelopes provided for that purpose, and the envelopes shall be sealed and the envelopes shall designate the serial number of the voting machine to which such keys belong, and the number of the precinct and ward in which such voting machine was used at such election, and such keys shall be returned along with the written statements or returns of such election.

(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

(10 ILCS 5/24-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-18)

Sec. 24-18. A voting machine which passes all of the qualities required by this Article may be supplied, in addition, with any recording or photographic device on which the votes registered on the mechanical counters will be separately recorded or photographed. When a machine is supplied with a recording device which automatically registers the votes cast for candidates, questions or propositions, on separate recording sheets one copy shall be removed at the close of the polls to record the vote cast for each candidate, question or proposition and the other recording device shall not be taken out or examined by the election officers who make returns from the precinct, but such machine shall be locked with such device therein and so remain until the record made by such photographic or other device is removed and prepared for examination by the official canvassing board having charge of canvassing the returns of such election or primary, and the official canvassing board shall compare the totals as shown on the official return sheets with the totals as shown on the photographic or other device, and see that both such totals are the same. In case such totals are found not to be the same, such canvassing board shall summon the precinct election board which made the returns and together these two official bodies shall make the necessary investigation to ascertain the true facts and shall then correct the official return sheets as necessary. The record provided by such photographic or other device shall be filed along with the official return sheets by the officials now charged by law with filing and preserving the official return sheets, and shall be kept so filed for the same length of time as the law now provides for the filing and preservations of the official return sheets.

(Source: P.A. 80-1031.)

(10 ILCS 5/24-19) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-19)

Sec. 24-19. No person not an election officer or other public official shall tamper or attempt to tamper with such voting machine or voting machines, or in any way intentionally impair or attempt to impair its use, or attempt any dishonest practice upon any such voting machine, or with or by its use.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

(10 ILCS 5/24-20) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-20)

Sec. 24-20. No judge of an election or inspector, or any custodian or other public official authorized to take part in the holding of an election or in preparing for an election, shall, with intent to cause or permit any voting machine to fail to register correctly all votes cast thereon; or tamper with or disarrange such machine in any way or any part or appliance thereof, or cause or consent to said machine being used for voting at any election with knowledge of the fact that the same is not in order, or not perfectly set and adjusted so that it will correctly register all votes cast thereon; or, with the purpose of defrauding or deceiving any voter or of causing it to be doubtful for what ticket or candidate or candidates or proposition any vote is cast, or of causing it to appear on said machine that the votes cast for one ticket, candidate or proposition, were cast for another ticket, candidate or proposition, remove, change or mutilate any ballot label on said machine or any part thereof; or do any other thing intended to interfere with the validity or accuracy of the election, and the results thereof, or fraudulently cause an incorrect return of the election.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

(10 ILCS 5/24-22) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-22)

Sec. 24-22. All the provisions of this Act, not inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to all the elections in the precincts where such voting machines are used. Any provisions of law which conflict with the use of such machine or machines as set forth in this Article, shall not apply to the precinct or precincts in which an election is conducted by the use of such machine or machines.

(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

(10 ILCS 5/24-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-23)

Sec. 24-23. If any section, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this Article is for any reason held invalid or to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the remaining portion of this Article, or any section or part thereof; if this entire article is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other article of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

(10 ILCS 5/Art. 24A heading) ARTICLE 24A. ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL OR ELECTRIC VOTING SYSTEMS

(10 ILCS 5/24A-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-1)

Sec. 24A-1. The purpose of this Article is to authorize the use of voting systems approved by the State Board of Elections in which the voter records his votes by means of marking or punching a ballot or one or more ballot cards, which are so designed that votes will be counted by data processing machines at one or more counting places.

(Source: P.A. 84-862.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-2)

Sec. 24A-2. As used in this Article:

"Computer", "Automatic tabulating equipment" or "equipment" includes apparatus necessary to automatically examine and count votes as designated on ballots, and data processing machines which can be used for counting ballots and tabulating results.

"Ballot card" means a ballot which is voted by the process of punching.

"Ballot configuration" means the particular combination of political subdivision ballots including, for each political subdivision, the particular combination of offices, candidate names and ballot position numbers for each candidate and question as it appears for each group of voters who may cast the same ballot.

"Ballot labels" means the cards, papers, booklet, pages or other material containing the names of officers and candidates and statements of measures to be voted on.

"Ballot sheet" means a paper ballot printed on one or both sides which is (1) designed and prepared so that the voter may indicate his or her votes in designated areas, which must be enclosed areas clearly printed or otherwise delineated for such purpose, and (2) capable of having votes marked in the designated areas automatically examined, counted, and tabulated by an electronic scanning process.

"Ballot" may include ballot cards, ballot labels and paper ballots.

"Separate ballot", with respect to ballot sheets, means a separate portion of the ballot sheet in which the color of the ink used in printing that portion of the ballot sheet is distinct from the color of the ink used in printing any other portion of the ballot sheet.

"Column" in an electronic voting system which utilizes a ballot card means a space on a ballot card for punching the voter's vote arranged in a row running lengthwise on the ballot card.

"Central Counting" means the counting of ballots in one or more locations selected by the election authority for the processing or counting, or both, of ballots. A location for central counting shall be within the territorial jurisdiction of such election authority unless there is no suitable tabulating equipment available within his territorial jurisdiction. However, in any event a counting location shall be within this State.

"In-precinct counting" means the counting of ballots on automatic tabulating equipment provided by the election authority in the same precinct polling place in which those ballots have been cast.

"Computer operator" means any person or persons designated by the election authority to operate the automatic tabulating equipment during any portion of the vote tallying process in an election, but shall not include judges of election operating vote tabulating equipment in the precinct.

"Computer program" or "program" means the set of operating instructions for the automatic tabulating equipment by which it examines, counts, tabulates, canvasses and prints votes recorded by a voter on a ballot card or other medium.

"Edit listing" means a computer generated listing of the names and ballot position numbers for each candidate and proposition as they appear in the program for each precinct.

"Voting System" or "Electronic Voting System" means that combination of equipment and programs used in the casting, examination and tabulation of ballots and the cumulation and reporting of results by electronic means.

"Header card" means a data processing card which is coded to indicate to the computer the precinct identity of the ballot cards that will follow immediately and may indicate to the computer how such ballot cards are to be tabulated.

"Marking device" means either an apparatus in which ballots or ballot cards are inserted and used in connection with a punch apparatus for the piercing of ballots by the voter, or any approved device for marking a paper ballot with ink or other substance which will enable the ballot to be tabulated by means of automatic tabulating equipment or by an electronic scanning process.

"Redundant count" means a verification of the original computer count by another count using compatible equipment or by hand as part of a discovery recount.

"Security punch" means a punch placed on a ballot card to identify to the computer program the offices and propositions for which votes may be cast and to indicate the manner in which votes cast should be tabulated while negating any inadmissible votes.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-3)

Sec. 24A-3. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, any county board, board of county commissioners and any board of election commissioners, with respect to territory within its jurisdiction, may adopt, experiment with, or abandon a voting system approved for use by the State Board of Elections and may use such voting system in all or some of the precincts within its jurisdiction, or in combination with paper ballots or voting machines. Any such county board, board of county commissioners or board of election commissioners may contract for the tabulation of votes at a location outside its territorial jurisdiction when there is no suitable tabulating equipment available within its territorial jurisdiction. In no case may a county board, board of county commissioners or board of election commissioners contract or arrange for the purchase, lease or loan of an electronic voting system or voting system component without the approval of the State Board of Elections as provided by Section 24A-16. However, the county board and board of county commissioners of each county having a population of 40,000 or more, with respect to all elections for which the county board or the county clerk is charged with the duty of providing materials and supplies, and each board of election commissioners in a municipality having a population of 40,000 or more, with respect to elections under its jurisdiction, must provide either voting systems approved for use by the State Board of Elections under this Article or voting machines under Article 24 for each precinct for all such elections except as provided in Section 24-1.2. For purposes of this Section 24A-3, the term "population" does not include persons prohibited from voting by Section 3-5 of this Act.

Before any such system is introduced, adopted or used in any precinct or territory at least 2 months public notice must be given before the date of the first election wherein such voting system is to be used. The election authority shall publish the notice at least once in one or more newspapers published within the county, or other jurisdiction, as the case may be, in which the election is held. If there is no such newspaper, the notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the county and having a general circulation within such jurisdiction. The notice shall be substantially as follows:

Notice is hereby given that on (give date), at (give place where election is held) in the county of ...., an election will be held for (give name of offices to be filled) at which an electronic voting system will be used.

Dated at .... on (insert date).

The notice referred to herein shall be given only at the first election at which such voting machines or voting systems are used.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-3.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-3.1)

Sec. 24A-3.1. When an electronic voting system is used, the County Board or Board of Election Commissioners may retain existing precincts or may consolidate, combine, alter, decrease or enlarge the boundaries of the precincts so as to change the number of registered voters of the precincts using the electronic voting system, establishing the number of registered voters within each precinct at such number not to exceed 800 as the appropriate County Board or Board of Election Commissioners, determines will afford adequate voting facilities and efficient and economical elections.

Except in the event of a fire, flood or total loss of heat in a place fixed or established pursuant to law by any County Board or Board of Election Commissioners as a polling place for an election, no election authority shall change the location of a polling place so established for any precinct after notice of the place of holding the election for that precinct has been given as required under Article 12 unless the election authority notifies all registered voters in the precinct of the change in location by first class mail in sufficient time for such notice to be received by the registered voters in the precinct at least one day prior to the date of the election.

(Source: P.A. 86-867.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-4)

Sec. 24A-4. Voting systems may be used in elections provided that such systems enable the voter to cast a vote for all offices and on all measures on which he is entitled to vote, and that the automatic tabulating equipment may be set to reject all votes for any office or measure when the number of votes therefor exceeds the number which the voter is entitled to cast, and provided that such systems are approved for use by the State Board of Elections.

So far as applicable, the procedure provided for voting paper ballots shall apply when electronic voting systems are used.

(Source: P.A. 84-862.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-5)

Sec. 24A-5. In precincts where an electronic voting system is used, a sufficient number of voting booths shall be provided for the use of such systems according to the requirements determined by the State Board of Elections, and the booths shall be arranged in the same manner as provided for use with paper ballots. Each such booth shall be placed so that the entrance to each booth faces a wall in such a manner that no judge of election or pollwatcher is able to observe a voter casting a ballot.

Whenever at a primary election at which an electronic voting system is used there is also an election for officers or on propositions in which qualified voters have the right to vote without participating in the primary of any party, a separate voting booth may be provided for those voters who do not wish to participate in the primary of any party. Such determination shall be made by resolution of the county board, municipal board of election commissioners or county board of election commissioners, whichever is applicable. Unless paper ballots are used for such other election, such separate voting booth shall contain a ballot label booklet containing only those officers and propositions on which such voters are entitled to vote.

(Source: P.A. 84-659.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-5.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-5.1)

Sec. 24A-5.1. For the instruction of voters on election day, the election official in charge of the election shall provide at each polling place one instruction-model electronic voting system marking device. Each such instruction-model shall show the arrangement of party rows, office columns and questions. Such model shall be located at a place which voters must pass to reach the official marking device used in the actual casting of votes.

Before entering the voting booth each voter shall be offered instruction in the operation of the marking device by use of the instruction-model and the voter shall be given ample opportunity to operate the model by himself. In instructing voters, no precinct official may show partiality to any political party. The duties of instruction shall be discharged by a judge from each of the political parties represented and they shall alternate serving as instructor so that each judge shall serve a like time at such duties. No instructions may be given after the voter has entered the voting booth.

No precinct official, or person assisting a voter may in any manner request, suggest, or seek to persuade or induce any voter to cast his vote for any particular ticket, candidate, amendment, question or proposition. All instructions shall be given by precinct officials in such a manner that it may be observed by other persons in the polling place.

(Source: P.A. 89-700, eff. 1-17-97.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-5.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-5.2)

Sec. 24A-5.2. When an electronic voting system is used in a forthcoming election, the election authority may provide, for the purpose of instructing voters in such election, one demonstrator electronic voting system marking device for placement in any public library within the political subdivision in which the election occurs. If such placement of a demonstrator takes place it shall be made available at least 30 days before the election.

(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-6)

Sec. 24A-6. The ballot information, whether placed on the ballot or on the marking device, shall, as far as practicable, be in the order of arrangement provided for paper ballots, except that such information may be in vertical or horizontal rows, or in a number of separate pages. Ballots for all questions or propositions to be voted on must be provided in the same manner and must be arranged on or in the marking device or on the ballot sheet in the places provided for such purposes.

When an electronic voting system utilizes a ballot label booklet and ballot card, ballots for candidates, ballots calling for a constitutional convention, constitutional amendment ballots, judicial retention ballots, public measures, and all propositions to be voted upon may be placed on the electronic voting device by providing in the ballot booklet separate ballot label pages or series of pages distinguished by differing colors as provided below. When an electronic voting system utilizes a ballot sheet, ballots calling for a constitutional convention, constitutional amendment ballots and judicial retention ballots shall be placed on the ballot sheet by providing a separate portion of the ballot sheet for each such kind of ballot which shall be printed in ink of a color distinct from the color of ink used in printing any other portion of the ballot sheet. Ballots for candidates, public measures and all other propositions to be voted upon shall be placed on the ballot sheet by providing a separate portion of the ballot sheet for each such kind of ballot. Whenever a person has submitted a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate as required in Sections 17-16.1 and 18-9.1, a line on which the name of a candidate may be written by the voter shall be printed below the name of the last candidate nominated for such office, and immediately to the left of such line an area shall be provided for marking a vote for such write-in candidate. The number of write-in lines for an office shall equal the number of persons who have filed declarations of intent to be write-in candidates plus an additional line or lines for write-in candidates who qualify to file declarations to be write-in candidates under Sections 17-16.1 and 18-9.1 when the certification of ballot contains the words "OBJECTION PENDING" next to the name of the candidate, up to the number of candidates for which a voter may vote. More than one amendment to the constitution may be placed on the same ballot page or series of pages or on the same portion of the ballot sheet, as the case may be. Ballot label pages for constitutional conventions or constitutional amendments shall be on paper of blue color and shall precede all other ballot label pages in the ballot label booklet. More than one public measure or proposition may be placed on the same ballot label page or series of pages or on the same portion of the ballot sheet, as the case may be. More than one proposition for retention of judges in office may be placed on the same ballot label page or series of pages or on the same portion of the ballot sheet, as the case may be. Ballot label pages for candidates shall be on paper of white color, except that in primary elections the ballot label page or pages for the candidates of each respective political party shall be of the color designated by the election official in charge of the election for that political party's candidates; provided that the ballot label pages or pages for candidates for use at the nonpartisan and consolidated elections may be on paper of different colors, except blue, whenever necessary or desirable to facilitate distinguishing between the pages for different political subdivisions. On each page of the candidate booklet, where the election is made to list ballot information vertically, the party affiliation of each candidate or the word "independent" shall appear immediately to the left of the candidate's name, and the name of candidates for the same office shall be listed vertically under the title of that office. If no candidate or candidates file for an office and if no person or persons file a declaration as a write-in candidate for that office, then below the title of that office the election authority instead shall print "No Candidate". In the case of nonpartisan elections for officers of political subdivisions, unless the statute or an ordinance adopted pursuant to Article VII of the Constitution requires otherwise, the listing of such nonpartisan candidates shall not include any party or "independent" designation. Ballot label pages for judicial retention ballots shall be on paper of green color, and ballot label pages for all public measures and other propositions shall be on paper of some other distinct and different color. In primary elections, a separate ballot label booklet, marking device and voting booth shall be used for each political party holding a primary, with the ballot label booklet arranged to include ballot label pages of the candidates of the party and public measures and other propositions to be voted upon on the day of the primary election. One ballot card may be used for recording the voter's vote or choice on all such ballots, proposals, public measures or propositions, and such ballot card shall be arranged so as to record the voter's vote or choice in a separate column or columns for each such kind of ballot, proposal, public measure or proposition.

If the ballot label booklet includes both candidates for office and public measures or propositions to be voted on, the election official in charge of the election shall divide the pages by protruding tabs identifying the division of the pages, and printing on such tabs "Candidates" and "Propositions".

The ballot card and all of its columns and the ballot card envelope shall be of the color prescribed for candidate's ballots at the general or primary election, whichever is being held. At an election where no candidates are being nominated or elected, the ballot card, its columns, and the ballot card envelope shall be of a color designated by the election official in charge of the election.

The ballot cards, ballot card envelopes and ballot sheets may, at the discretion of the election authority, be printed on white paper and then striped with the appropriate colors.

When ballot sheets are used, the various portions thereof shall be arranged to conform to the foregoing format.

Vote by mail ballots may consist of ballot cards, envelopes, paper ballots, or ballot sheets. Where a ballot card is used for voting by mail it must be accompanied by a punching tool or other appropriate marking device, voter instructions and a specimen ballot showing the proper positions to vote on the ballot card or ballot sheet for each party, candidate, proposal, public measure or proposition, and in the case of a ballot card must be mounted on a suitable material to receive the punched out chip.

Any voter who spoils his ballot or makes an error may return the ballot to the judges of election and secure another. However, the protruding identifying tab for proposals for a constitutional convention or constitutional amendments shall have printed thereon "Constitutional Ballot", and the ballot label page or pages for such proposals shall precede the ballot label pages for candidates in the ballot label booklet.

(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-6.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-6.1)

Sec. 24A-6.1. In all elections conducted pursuant to this Article, ballot cards shall have a security punch. In precincts where more than one ballot configuration may be voted upon, ballot cards shall have a different security punch for each ballot configuration. If a precinct has only one possible ballot configuration, the ballot cards must have a security punch to identify the election. Where ballot cards from more than one precinct are being tabulated, precinct header cards shall also be used: official results shall not be generated unless the precinct identification of the header cards for any precinct correspond. Where the tabulating equipment being used requires entering the program immediately prior to tabulating the ballot cards for each precinct, the precinct program may be used in lieu of header cards.

(Source: P.A. 82-1014.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-6.2)

Sec. 24A-6.2. Programming of automatic tabulating equipment. Beginning with the 2014 general election and all primary, consolidated, general, and special elections thereafter, automatic tabulating equipment authorized by this Section and programmed for a primary, consolidated, general, or special election conducted pursuant to general election law shall be programmed using the unique race and candidate ID numbers assigned by the State Board of Elections. The unique race and candidate ID numbers will be provided to the county clerk or election authority, as the case may be, with the candidate certification prepared by the State Board of Elections. In addition, any new voting system approved by the state after the 2014 general election shall have the capability to export the election results by ballot style and group them by precinct in an electronic format prescribed by the State Board of Elections.

(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-7)

Sec. 24A-7. A separate write-in ballot, which may be in the form of a paper ballot, card or envelope in which the elector places his ballot card after voting, shall be provided if necessary to permit electors to write in the names of persons whose names are not on the ballot. The ballots, ballot cards and ballot card envelopes may, at the discretion of the election authority, be printed on white paper and then striped with the appropriate colors. When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot card, each ballot card envelope shall contain the write-in form and information required by Section 16-3 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 83-110.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-8)

Sec. 24A-8. The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, shall cause the marking devices to be put in order, set, adjusted and made ready for voting when delivered to the polling places. Before the opening of the polls the judges of election shall compare the ballots used in the marking devices with the specimen ballots furnished and see that the names, numbers and letters thereon agree and shall certify thereto on forms provided by the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be.

In addition, in those polling places where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, the judges of election shall make an operational check of the automatic tabulating equipment before the opening of the polls. A precinct identification card provided by the election authority shall be entered into the automatic tabulating equipment to ensure that the totals are all zeroes in the count column on the printing unit.

Pollwatchers as provided by law shall be permitted to closely observe the judges in these procedures and to periodically inspect the equipment when not in use by the voters to see that the ballot labels are in proper position and have not been marked upon or mutilated.

(Source: P.A. 82-1014.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-9)

Sec. 24A-9. Prior to the public test, the election authority shall conduct an errorless pre-test of the automatic tabulating equipment and program to ascertain that they will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and all measures. On any day not less than 5 days prior to the election day, the election authority shall publicly test the automatic tabulating equipment and program to ascertain that they will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least 48 hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more newspapers published within the election jurisdiction of the election authority if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. Timely written notice stating the date, time and location of the public test shall also be provided to the State Board of Elections. The test shall be open to representatives of the political parties, the press, representatives of the State Board of Elections, and the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so punched or marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure, and shall include for each office one or more ballots which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment to reject such votes. Such test shall also include the use of precinct header cards and may include the production of an edit listing. In those election jurisdictions where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, a public test of both such equipment and program shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the manner prescribed above. The State Board of Elections may select as many election jurisdictions as the Board deems advisable in the interests of the election process of this State in which to order a special test of the automatic tabulating equipment and program prior to any regular election. The Board may order a special test in any election jurisdiction where, during the preceding twelve months, computer programming errors or other errors in the use of electronic voting systems resulted in vote tabulation errors. Not less than 30 days prior to any election, the State Board of Elections shall provide written notice to those selected jurisdictions of their intent to conduct a test. Within 5 days of receipt of the State Board of Elections' written notice of intent to conduct a test, the selected jurisdictions shall forward to the principal office of the State Board of Elections a copy of all specimen ballots. The State Board of Elections' tests shall be conducted and completed not less than 2 days prior to the public test and under the supervision of the Board. The vendor, person, or other private entity shall be solely responsible for the production and cost of: all ballots; additional temporary workers; and other equipment or facilities needed and used in the testing of the vendor's, person's, or other private entity's respective equipment and software. After an errorless test, materials used in the public test, including the program, if appropriate, shall be sealed and remain so until the test is run again on election day. If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless public test shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment is approved. Each election authority shall file a sealed copy of each tested program to be used within its jurisdiction at an election with the State Board of Elections prior to the election. The Board shall secure the program or programs of each election jurisdiction so filed in its office until the next election of the same type (general primary, general election, consolidated primary, or consolidated election) for which the program or programs were filed. Upon the expiration of that time, if no election contest or appeal therefrom is pending in an election jurisdiction, the Board shall destroy the sealed program or programs. Except where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, the test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballots, in the same manner as set forth above. After the completion of the count, the test shall be re-run using the same program. An election jurisdiction that was employing, as of January 1, 1983, an electronic voting system that, because of its design, is not technically capable of compliance with such a post-tabulation testing requirement shall satisfy the post-tabulation testing requirement by conducting the post-tabulation test on a duplicate program until such electronic voting system is replaced or until November 1, 1992, whichever is earlier. Immediately thereafter the ballots, all material employed in testing the program and the program shall be sealed and retained under the custody of the election authority for a period of 60 days. At the expiration of that time the election authority shall destroy the voted ballot cards, together with all unused ballots returned from the precincts. Provided, if any contest of election is pending at such time in which such ballots may be required as evidence and such election authority has notice thereof, the same shall not be destroyed until after such contest is finally determined. If the use of back-up equipment becomes necessary, the same testing required for the original equipment shall be conducted.

(Source: P.A. 94-1000, eff. 7-3-06.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-9.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-9.1)

Sec. 24A-9.1. Whenever an electronic scanning process is utilized to automatically examine and count the votes on ballot sheets, the provisions of this Section shall apply. A voter shall cast a proper vote on a ballot sheet by making a mark in the designated area for the casting of a vote for any party or candidate or for or against any proposition. For this purpose, a mark is an intentional darkening of the designated area on the ballot sheet, and shall not be an "X", a check mark, or any other recognizable letter of the alphabet, number, or other symbol which can be recognized as an identifying mark.

Whenever the ballot sheet includes designated areas on both sides, the election authority shall provide an envelope, sleeve or other device to each voter by means of which the voter can deliver the voted ballot sheet to the ballot box without the votes indicated on the ballot sheet being visible to other persons in the polling place.

(Source: P.A. 81-1433.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-10)

Sec. 24A-10. (1) In an election jurisdiction which has adopted an electronic voting system, the election official in charge of the election shall select one of the 3 following procedures for receiving, counting, tallying, and return of the ballots:

(a) Two ballot boxes shall be provided for each polling place. The first ballot box is for the depositing of votes cast on the electronic voting system; and the second ballot box is for all votes cast on paper ballots, including any paper ballots required to be voted other than on the electronic voting system. Ballots deposited in the second ballot box shall be counted, tallied, and returned as is elsewhere provided in this Code for the counting and handling of paper ballots. Immediately after the closing of the polls, the judges of election shall make out a slip indicating the number of persons who voted in the precinct at the election. Such slip shall be signed by all the judges of election and shall be inserted by them in the first ballot box. The judges of election shall thereupon immediately lock each ballot box; provided, that if such box is not of a type which may be securely locked, such box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, and in such manner that the seal completely covers the slot in the ballot box, and each of the judges shall sign such seal. Thereupon two of the judges of election, of different political parties, shall forthwith and by the most direct route transport both ballot boxes to the counting location designated by the county clerk or board of election commissioners.

Before the ballots of a precinct are fed to the electronic tabulating equipment, the first ballot box shall be opened at the central counting station by the two precinct transport judges. Upon opening a ballot box, such team shall first count the number of ballots in the box. If 2 or more are folded together so as to appear to have been cast by the same person, all of the ballots so folded together shall be marked and returned with the other ballots in the same condition, as near as may be, in which they were found when first opened, but shall not be counted. If the remaining ballots are found to exceed the number of persons voting in the precinct as shown by the slip signed by the judges of election, the ballots shall be replaced in the box, and the box closed and well shaken and again opened and one of the precinct transport judges shall publicly draw out so many ballots unopened as are equal to such excess.

Such excess ballots shall be marked "Excess-Not Counted" and signed by the two precinct transport judges and shall be placed in the "After 7:00 p.m. Defective Ballots Envelope". The number of excess ballots shall be noted in the remarks section of the Certificate of Results. "Excess" ballots shall not be counted in the total of "defective" ballots.

The precinct transport judges shall then examine the remaining ballots for write-in votes and shall count and tabulate the write-in vote; or

(b) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used. All ballots which are not to be tabulated on the electronic voting system shall be counted, tallied, and returned as elsewhere provided in this Code for the counting and handling of paper ballots.

All ballots to be processed and tabulated with the electronic voting system shall be processed as follows:

Immediately after the closing of the polls, the precinct judges of election then shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to determine that the number of ballots therein agree with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot or if the same do not agree the judges of election shall make such ballots agree with the applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Code. The judges of election shall then examine all ballot cards and ballot card envelopes which are in the ballot box to determine whether the ballot cards and ballot card envelopes bear the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any ballot card or ballot card envelope is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective," initialed as to such label by all judges immediately under such word "Defective," and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope."

When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot card, before separating the ballot cards from their respective covering envelopes, the judges of election shall examine the ballot card envelopes for write-in votes. When the voter has voted a write-in vote, the judges of election shall compare the write-in vote with the votes on the ballot card to determine whether such write-in results in an overvote for any office. In case of an overvote for any office, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card except for the office which is overvoted, by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer all votes of the voter except for the office overvoted, to an official ballot card of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The original ballot card and envelope upon which there is an overvote shall be clearly labeled "Overvoted Ballot", and each shall bear the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Overvoted Ballot" ballot cards and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots. The "Overvoted Ballot" ballots and their envelopes shall be placed in the "Duplicate Ballots" envelope. Envelopes bearing write-in votes marked in the place designated therefor and bearing the initials of a precinct judge of election and not resulting in an overvote and otherwise complying with the election laws as to marking shall be counted, tallied, and their votes recorded on a tally sheet provided by the election official in charge of the election. The ballot cards and ballot card envelopes shall be separated and all except any defective or overvoted shall be placed separately in the box for return of the ballots. The judges of election shall examine the ballots and ballot cards to determine if any is damaged, defective, or cannot otherwise be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment. If any ballot or ballot card is damaged, defective, or cannot otherwise properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct. The original ballot or ballot card and envelope shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot or ballot card so produced "Duplicate Damaged Ballot," and each shall bear the same number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in the precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Damaged Ballot" ballot or ballot cards, and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots. The "Damaged Ballot" ballots or ballot cards and their envelopes shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope. A slip indicating the number of voters voting in person shall be made out, signed by all judges of election, and inserted in the box for return of the ballots. The tally sheets recording the write-in votes shall be placed in this box. The judges of election thereupon immediately shall securely lock the ballot box or other suitable box furnished for return of the ballots by the election official in charge of the election; provided that if such box is not of a type which may be securely locked, such box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way. A separate adhesive seal label signed by each of the judges of election of the precinct shall be affixed to the box so as to cover any slot therein and to identify the box of the precinct; and if such box is sealed with filament tape as provided herein rather than locked, such tape shall be wrapped around the box as provided herein, but in such manner that the separate adhesive seal label affixed to the box and signed by the judges may not be removed without breaking the filament tape and disturbing the signature of the judges. Thereupon, 2 of the judges of election, of different major political parties, forthwith shall by the most direct route transport the box for return of the ballots and enclosed ballots and returns to the central counting location designated by the election official in charge of the election. If, however, because of the lack of adequate parking facilities at the central counting location or for any other reason, it is impossible or impracticable for the boxes from all the polling places to be delivered directly to the central counting location, the election official in charge of the election may designate some other location to which the boxes shall be delivered by the 2 precinct judges. While at such other location the boxes shall be in the care and custody of one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the two major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations. As soon as possible, the boxes shall be transported from such other location to the central counting location by one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations.

The "Defective Ballots" envelope, and "Duplicated Ballots" envelope each shall be securely sealed and the flap or end thereof of each signed by the precinct judges of election and returned to the central counting location with the box for return of the ballots, enclosed ballots and returns.

At the central counting location, a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall check the box returned containing the ballots to determine that all seals are intact, and thereupon shall open the box, check the voters' slip and compare the number of ballots so delivered against the total number of voters of the precinct who voted, remove the ballots or ballot cards and deliver them to the technicians operating the automatic tabulating equipment. Any discrepancies between the number of ballots and total number of voters shall be noted on a sheet furnished for that purpose and signed by the tally judges; or

(c) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used. Immediately after the closing of the polls, the precinct judges of election shall securely lock the ballot box; provided that if such box is not of a type which may be securely locked, such box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way. A separate adhesive seal label signed by each of the judges of election of the precinct shall be affixed to the box so as to cover any slot therein and to identify the box of the precinct; and if such box is sealed with filament tape as provided herein rather than locked, such tape shall be wrapped around the box as provided herein, but in such manner that the separate adhesive seal label affixed to the box and signed by the judges may not be removed without breaking the filament tape and disturbing the signature of the judges. Thereupon, 2 of the judges of election, of different major political parties, shall forthwith by the most direct route transport the box for return of the ballots and enclosed vote by mail and early ballots and returns to the central counting location designated by the election official in charge of the election. If however, because of the lack of adequate parking facilities at the central counting location or for some other reason, it is impossible or impracticable for the boxes from all the polling places to be delivered directly to the central counting location, the election official in charge of the election may designate some other location to which the boxes shall be delivered by the 2 precinct judges. While at such other location the boxes shall be in the care and custody of one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the two major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations. As soon as possible, the boxes shall be transported from such other location to the central counting location by one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of the election from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations.

At the central counting location there shall be one or more teams of tally judges who possess the same qualifications as tally judges in election jurisdictions using paper ballots. The number of such teams shall be determined by the election authority. Each team shall consist of 5 tally judges, 3 selected and approved by the county board from a certified list furnished by the chair of the county central committee of the party with the majority of members on the county board and 2 selected and approved by the county board from a certified list furnished by the chair of the county central committee of the party with the second largest number of members on the county board. At the central counting location a team of tally judges shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to determine that the number of ballot sheets therein agree with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot; and, if the same do not agree, the tally judges shall make such ballots agree with the number of applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Code. The tally judges shall then examine all ballot sheets which are in the ballot box to determine whether they bear the initials of the precinct judge of election. If any ballot is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective", initialed as to such label by all tally judges immediately under such word "Defective", and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope". An overvote for one office shall invalidate only the vote or count of that particular office.

At the central counting location, a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall deliver the ballot sheets to the technicians operating the automatic tabulating equipment. Any discrepancies between the number of ballots and total number of voters shall be noted on a sheet furnished for that purpose and signed by the tally judges.

(2) Regardless of which procedure described in subsection (1) of this Section is used, the judges of election designated to transport the ballots, properly signed and sealed as provided herein, shall ensure that the ballots are delivered to the central counting station no later than 12 hours after the polls close. At the central counting station a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall examine the ballots so transported and shall not accept ballots for tabulating which are not signed and sealed as provided in subsection (1) of this Section until the judges transporting the same make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots by a team of tally judges at the central counting station, the election judges transporting the same shall take a receipt signed by the election official in charge of the election and stamped with the date and time of acceptance. The election judges whose duty it is to transport any ballots shall, in the event such ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.

(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 102-819, eff. 5-13-22.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-10.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-10.1)

Sec. 24A-10.1. In an election jurisdiction where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, the following procedures for counting and tallying the ballots shall apply:

Immediately after the closing of the polls, the precinct judges of election shall open the ballot box and count the number of ballots therein to determine if such number agrees with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot or, if the same do not agree, the judges of election shall make such ballots agree with the applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Act. The judges of election shall then examine all ballot cards and ballot card envelopes which are in the ballot box to determine whether the ballot cards and ballot card envelopes contain the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any ballot card or ballot card envelope is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective", initialed as to such label by all judges immediately under the word "Defective" and not counted. The judges of election shall place an initialed blank official ballot card in the place of the defective ballot card, so that the count of the ballot cards to be counted on the automatic tabulating equipment will be the same, and each "Defective Ballot" card and "Replacement" card shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The original "Defective" card shall be placed in the "Defective Ballot Envelope" provided for that purpose.

When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot card, before separating the remaining ballot cards from their respective covering envelopes, the judges of election shall examine the ballot card envelopes for write-in votes. When the voter has cast a write-in vote, the judges of election shall compare the write-in vote with the votes on the ballot card to determine whether such write-in results in an overvote for any office. In case of an overvote for any office, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card except for the office which is overvoted, by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer all votes of the voter, except for the office overvoted, to a duplicate card. The original ballot card and envelope upon which there is an overvote shall be clearly labeled "Overvoted Ballot", and each such "Overvoted Ballot" as well as its "Replacement" shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The "Overvoted Ballot" card and ballot envelope shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballot" envelope, and the judges of election shall initial the "Replacement" ballot cards and shall place them with the other ballot cards to be counted on the automatic tabulating equipment. Envelopes containing write-in votes marked in the place designated therefor and containing the initials of a precinct judge of election and not resulting in an overvote and otherwise complying with the election laws as to marking shall be counted and tallied and their votes recorded on a tally sheet provided by the election authority.

The ballot cards and ballot card envelopes shall be separated in preparation for counting by the automatic tabulating equipment provided for that purpose by the election authority.

Before the ballots are entered into the automatic tabulating equipment, a precinct identification card provided by the election authority shall be entered into the device to ensure that the totals are all zeroes in the count column on the printing unit. A precinct judge of election shall then count the ballots by entering each ballot card into the automatic tabulating equipment, and if any ballot or ballot card is damaged, defective, or cannot otherwise properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct. The original ballot or ballot card and envelope shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot or ballot card so produced shall be clearly labeled "Duplicate Damaged Ballot", and each shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in the precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Damaged Ballot" ballot or ballot cards and shall enter the duplicate damaged cards into the automatic tabulating equipment. The "Damaged Ballot" cards shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope; after all ballot cards have been successfully read, the judges of election shall check to make certain that the last number printed by the printing unit is the same as the number of voters making application for ballot in that precinct. The number shall be listed on the "Statement of Ballots" form provided by the election authority.

The totals for all candidates and propositions shall be tabulated. One copy of an "In-Precinct Totals Report" shall be generated by the automatic tabulating equipment for return to the election authority. One copy of an "In-Precinct Totals Report" shall be generated and posted in a conspicuous place inside the polling place, provided that any authorized pollwatcher or other official authorized to be present in the polling place to observe the counting of ballots is present.

The judges of election shall provide, if requested, a set for each authorized pollwatcher or other official authorized to be present in the polling place to observe the counting of ballots. In addition, sufficient time shall be provided by the judges of election to the pollwatchers to allow them to copy information from the copy which has been posted.

The judges of election shall count all unused ballot cards and enter the number on the "Statement of Ballots". All "Spoiled", "Defective" and "Duplicated" ballot cards shall be counted and the number entered on the "Statement of Ballots".

The precinct judges of election shall select a bi-partisan team of 2 judges, who shall immediately return the ballots in a sealed container, along with all other election materials as instructed by the election authority; provided, however, that such container must first be sealed by the election judges with filament tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the container lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, in such manner that the ballots cannot be removed from such container without breaking the seal and filament tape and disturbing any signatures affixed by the election judges to the container. The election authority shall keep the office of the election authority, or any receiving stations designated by such authority, open for at least 12 consecutive hours after the polls close or until the ballots from all precincts with in-precinct counting equipment within the jurisdiction of the election authority have been returned to the election authority. Ballots returned to the office of the election authority which are not signed and sealed as required by law shall not be accepted by the election authority until the judges returning the same make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots by the election authority, the judges returning the same shall take a receipt signed by the election authority and stamped with the time and date of such return. The election judges whose duty it is to return any ballots as herein provided shall, in the event such ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.

(Source: P.A. 102-819, eff. 5-13-22.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-11)

Sec. 24A-11. All proceedings at the location for central counting shall be under the direction of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be. Except for any specially trained technicians required for the operation of the automatic tabulating equipment, the employees at the counting station shall be equally divided between members of the 2 leading political parties and all duties performed by such employees shall be by teams consisting of an equal number of members of each political party. Thirty days before an election the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall submit to the chair of each political party, for his approval or disapproval, a list of persons of his party proposed to be employed. If a chair fails to notify the election authority of his disapproval of any proposed employee within a period of 10 days thereafter the list shall be deemed approved.

(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-13)

Sec. 24A-13. The procedure for tabulating the votes by the automatic tabulating equipment shall be under the direction of the election authority and shall conform to the requirements of the automatic tabulating equipment. During any election-related activity utilizing the automatic tabulating equipment, the election authority shall make a reasonable effort to dedicate the equipment to vote processing so as to ensure the security and integrity of the system.

A reasonable number of pollwatchers shall be admitted to the counting location. Persons may observe the tabulating process at the discretion of the election authority; however, at least one representative of each established political party and authorized agents of the State Board of Elections shall be permitted to observe this process at all times. No persons except those employed and authorized for the purpose shall touch any ballot, ballot box, return, or equipment.

The computer operators shall be designated by the election authority and shall be sworn as a deputy of the election authority. In conducting the vote tabulation and canvass, the computer operator must maintain a log which shall include the following information:

1. Alterations made to programs associated with the vote counting process;

2. if applicable, console messages relating to the program and the respective responses made by the operator;

3. the starting time for each precinct counted, the number of cards counted for each precinct, any equipment problems and, insofar as practicable, the number of invalid security punches encountered during that count; and

4. changes and repairs made to the equipment during the vote tabulation and canvass.

The computer operator's log and canvass shall be available for public inspection in the office of the election authority for a period of 60 days following the proclamation of election results. A copy of the computer operator's log and the canvass shall be transmitted to the State Board of Elections upon its request and at its expense.

(Source: P.A. 82-1014.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-14)

Sec. 24A-14. Damaged, defective, or unreadable ballots; duplicates. If any ballot is damaged, defective, or cannot otherwise properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate copy shall be made of the ballot in the presence of witnesses and substituted for the damaged ballot. Likewise, a duplicate ballot shall not include the invalid votes appearing on the original ballot. All duplicate ballots shall be clearly labeled "duplicate", shall bear a serial number which shall be registered on the damaged, defective, or otherwise unreadable ballot, and shall be counted in lieu of the damaged, defective, or otherwise unreadable ballot.

(Source: P.A. 102-819, eff. 5-13-22.)