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ELECTIONS
(10 ILCS 5/) Election Code.

10 ILCS 5/24-9

    (10 ILCS 5/24-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-9)
    Sec. 24-9. Assistance to illiterate voters and voters with disabilities shall be given in accordance with the provisions in Section 17-14 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

10 ILCS 5/24-10

    (10 ILCS 5/24-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-10)
    Sec. 24-10. For the instruction of the voters on election day, there shall be provided for each polling place, one mechanically operated instruction model for each machine, showing a portion of the face of the voting machine. Each such instruction model shall show the arrangement of party rows, office columns and questions, but only fictitious candidates' names shall be used. Such model shall be located on the election officials' table, or in some other place which the voters must pass to reach the machine, and each voter, upon request, before entering the machine, shall be offered instruction in its operation by use of the instruction model, and the voter shall be given ample opportunity to operate the model himself. Each voter shall also have called to his attention the facsimile diagrams at least two of which shall be posted on the walls of the polling place, which facsimile diagrams shall be exact facsimiles, including the color of the ballot labels, as near as may be, of the face of the voting machine, so that the voter can become familiar with the location of the questions, parties, officers and candidates. In case any voter after entering the voting machine booth shall ask for further instructions concerning the manner of voting, two judges of opposite political parties shall give such instructions to him; but no precinct election official, or person assisting a voter shall in any manner request, suggest or seek to persuade, or induce any voter to vote any particular ticket, or for any particular candidate, or for or against any particular amendment, question or proposition. During such instruction, the curtains shall be thrown aside so that the instruction may be observed by persons in the polling place. After giving such instructions such precinct election officials shall retire from the machine booth, and the voter shall thereafter, with the curtains closed around him, proceed to vote as in the case of an unassisted voter.
(Source: Laws 1949, p. 817.)

10 ILCS 5/24-11

    (10 ILCS 5/24-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-11)
    Sec. 24-11. That portion of cardboard, paper or other material, placed on the front of the machine and containing the names of the candidates shall be known in this Article as a ballot label. The ballot labels shall be supplied by the election authority, and shall be printed in black ink on clear white material of such size as will fit the machine and in plain, clear type, and shall provide space, not less than one-half inch in height and one and one-half inches in width for the printing of each candidate's name with such other wording as is required by law. However, ballot labels for use at the nonpartisan and consolidated elections may be printed on different color material, except blue material, whenever necessary or desirable to facilitate distinguishing between different political subdivisions on the machine. The names of all candidates shall be printed in uniform size in boldface type. The party name or other designation shall be prefixed to the list of the candidates of such party. The order of the lists of candidates of the several parties shall be arranged as is in this Act provided, except that the lists may be placed in horizontal rows or vertical columns, which parties may, if desired be divided into parallel and contiguous rows or columns. Where presidential electors are to be voted for at any election, then there may be placed on the ballot labels a bracket in which are the names of the candidates for President and Vice President of the party or group. Each question or other proposition, to be submitted to a vote of the electors shall appear on the ballot labels, in the form prescribed therefor, but if no such form is prescribed then they shall be in brief form, not to exceed 75 words. The ballot label for each candidate or group of candidates nominated or seeking nomination by a political party shall contain the name of the political party.
    In any election in which there is submitted a proposal or proposals for a constitutional amendment or amendments or for calling of a constitutional convention the ballot label for the separate ballot for such proposals shall be printed on blue, rather than white, material.
    In elections held pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article VI of the Constitution relating to retention of judges in office, the ballot label for the judicial retention propositions shall be printed on green, rather than white, material.
    If any voting machine being used in an election or primary shall become out of order during such election or primary, it shall, if possible, be repaired or another machine substituted by the custodian or election authority, for which purpose the proper authorities may purchase as many extra voting machines as they may deem necessary, but in case such necessary repairs or substitution cannot be made immediately, paper ballots, printed or written and of suitable form, shall be used for the taking of votes. The paper ballots to be used in such event shall be prepared and distributed to the various precincts in the manner provided for in Sections 16-3 and 16-4 of this Election Code; except that the election authority shall supply a number of ballots to each precinct equal to at least 20% of the number of voters registered to vote in that precinct. If a method of election for any candidates is prescribed by law, in which the use of voting machines is not possible or practicable, or in case, at any election the number of candidates nominated or seeking nomination for any office renders the use of the voting machine for such office at such election impracticable, or if for any reason, at any election the use of voting machines is not practicable or possible, the proper officer or officers having charge of the preparation of the ballot labels for the machines may arrange to have the voting for such or all candidates for offices conducted by paper ballots. In such cases ballots shall be printed for such or all candidates, and the election conducted by the election officers herein provided for, and the ballots counted and return thereof made in the manner required by law for such candidate or candidates or offices, insofar as paper ballots are used.
(Source: P.A. 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

10 ILCS 5/24-12

    (10 ILCS 5/24-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-12)
    Sec. 24-12. The election authority shall provide at least 4 facsimile diagrams which shall be arranged in the form of a diagram showing the entire front of the voting machine as it will appear after the official ballot labels are arranged for voting purposes on election day. Where colored ballot labels are required to be used, the facsimile diagrams shall be appropriately colored to indicate such ballot labels. Such diagrams shall be displayed for public inspection, 2 on the outside of the polling place, and 2 on the inside thereof, at such polling place during the day preceding election or primary day and throughout election day. At each election where voting machines are to be used, the election authority shall, not less than 10 days before the election, provide for each election precinct in which a voting machine is to be used, facsimile diagrams, printed on tinted paper, in an amount equal to at least 1/5 of the number of votes cast in such precinct at the last preceding general election. Such facsimile diagrams shall be made available for public distribution except that ten per cent (10%) of the number of the ballots printed shall be supplied to the judges of election on election day for use in instructing the voters and for distribution to the voters by them in their discretion. Such facsimile diagrams may be of reduced size and shall provide complete instructions for operating the voting machine in that election.
(Source: P.A. 81-1433.)

10 ILCS 5/24-13

    (10 ILCS 5/24-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-13)
    Sec. 24-13. Four sets of ballot labels for use in each voting machine shall be provided for each polling place for each election by the election authority. There shall also be furnished all other necessary materials or supplies for the proper use of the voting machines, including durable transparent noninflammable covering at least 1/16 inch thick with which all the ballot labels shall be securely covered to prevent shifting, tampering with or mutilations of the ballot labels, facsimile diagrams, return sheets, certificates, forms and materials of all kinds provided for in this Article. The election authority shall before the day of election, cause the proper ballot labels, together with the transparent protective covering for same, to be put upon each machine, corresponding with the sample ballot labels herein provided for, and the machine in every way to be put in order, set and adjusted, ready for use in voting when delivered at the precinct polling places and for the purpose of so labeling the machine, putting in order, setting and adjusting the same, they may employ one competent person to be known as the voting machine custodian and additional deputy custodians as required. The election authority shall, preceding each election day, holding a meeting or meetings for the purpose of instructing all election precinct officials who are to serve in an election precinct where voting machines are to be used. Before preparing any voting machines for any election, the election authority shall cause written notices to be sent to the chair of the county central committee of each political party having a candidate or candidates on the ballot, or the chair of each municipal or township committee of each political party having candidates on the ballot, in the case of a municipal or township election, stating the times when, and the place or places where, the voting machines will be prepared for the election; they shall also cause written notices to be sent to the chair or presiding officer of any organization of citizens within the county, or other political subdivision, having as its purpose, or among its purposes or interests, the prevention, investigation or prosecution of election frauds, which has registered its name and address and the names of its principal officers with the officer, officers or board having charge of the preparation of the machines for the election, at least 40 days before such election, stating the times when, and the place or places where, the voting machines will be prepared for the election, at which times and place or places, one representative of each such political party, certified by the respective chair of the county managing committee of each such political party, or the chair of the municipal or township committee in the case of a municipal or township election, and one representative of each such candidate, certified by such candidate, and one representative of each organization of citizens, certified by the respective chair or presiding officers of such organizations shall be entitled to be present and see that the machines are properly prepared and tested and placed in proper condition and order for use at the election. The custodian or custodians of voting machines and the party representatives shall take the constitutional oath of office. It shall be the privilege of such party and organization representatives to be present at the preparation of the voting machines for the election and to see that each machine is tested for accuracy and is properly prepared and that all registering counters are set at zero. The custodian shall, in the presence of the party and candidate and organization representatives, prepare the voting machine for the election and set all registering counters at zero, and he shall then, assisted by the watchers, test each such registering counter for accuracy by casting votes upon it, and such testing shall be done in the presence of the watchers, until each such registering counter is correctly registering each vote cast upon it, and each certificate for each machine shall state that this has been done, and the custodians shall then, in the presence of the party and candidate and organization representatives, reset each registering counter to zero, and shall then immediately seal the voting machine with a numbered metal seal, and a record of the number on the seal shall then and there be made by the custodian on the certificate for that machine and the seal shall be so placed as to prevent operation of the machine or its registering counters without breaking the seal, and the custodian shall then immediately make a record on the certificate for that machine of the reading shown on the protective counter. Immediately after each machine has been so tested and prepared for the election, it shall be the duty of such custodian or custodians to make a certificate in writing which shall be filed in the office of the election authority, stating the serial number of each voting machine, whether or not such machine has all the registering counters set at zero, whether or not such machine has been tested by voting on each registering counter so as to prove that each such registering counter is in perfect and accurate working condition, the number registered on the protective counter, and the number on the metal seal with which the machine is sealed against operation. Unless objection is filed, within 2 days, with the election authority, to the use of a particular machine or machines, such voting machine or machines when certified to be correct by the custodian shall be conclusively presumed to have been properly prepared for use at the election for which they were prepared. Any objection filed shall particularly set forth the number of the machine objected to, and the particulars or basis for the objection. The machine shall then be locked so that it cannot be operated or voted upon without first unlocking it and the keys shall be at once returned to the custody of the election authority, and the election authority shall cause the machine so labeled in order, set and adjusted, to be delivered at the polling place, together with all necessary furniture and appliances that go with the same, not later than one hour before the hour at which the polls are to be opened. The election authority shall deliver the keys, which unlock the voting mechanism and the registering counters or counter compartment of the voting machine, to the precinct election board, not earlier than noon on the Saturday preceding the election day, nor later than one hour before the opening of the polls, and shall receive and file a receipt therefor. The keys shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope on which shall be written or printed: (1) The name, number of or designation of the election precinct or district; (2) The number of the voting machine; (3) The number of the seal with which the machine is sealed; (4) The number registered on the protective counter or device as reported by the custodian. No precinct election official shall break the seal of such envelope except in the presence of all members of the precinct election board, and such envelope shall not be opened until it shall have been examined by each member of the precinct election board to see that it has not been previously opened. Such envelope shall not be opened until it shall have been found that the numbers and records recorded thereon are correct and agree in every respect with the numbers and records as shown on the machine. If any such number is found not to agree with the numbers on the machine, the envelope shall not be opened until the precinct election officials shall have notified the election authority, and until the election authority or some other person authorized by the election authority shall have presented himself at the polling place for the purpose of re-examining the machine, and shall have certified that it is properly arranged after testing and examining it. On the morning of the election the precinct election officials shall meet in the polling place at least one hour before the time for opening the polls. They shall see that the sample ballot labels and instructions for voting are posted properly, and prominently so that the voters can have easy access to them and that the instruction model is placed on the precinct election officials' table and that everything is in readiness for voting at the hour of opening the polls. They shall also see that the voting machine is properly illuminated in accordance with the equipment furnished. The precinct election officials shall compare the ballot labels on the machine with the sample ballots and return sheets, see that they are correct, examine and see that all the registering counters in the machine are set at zero (0) or if the machine is equipped with a device which will automatically record the number on the registering columns on the back of the machine to recording sheets of paper and the said paper can be removed without opening the back of the machine, that all of the said registering counters for each candidate as appears on the said recording sheet registers (0) and that the public counter is also set at zero (0) and that the machine is otherwise in perfect order and they shall compare and record the number on the metal seal with which the voting machine is sealed, with the number furnished them as recorded on the envelope containing the keys, by the election authority, and if the number on the seal and the number on the protective counter do not agree with the numbers supplied to them, they shall not open the polls, but shall notify the election authority, and the election authority or its authorized representatives or custodian, shall, as soon as may be, test, examine and set the machine in the same manner as is provided in this section for the testing, setting and preparation of voting machines for an election. If, after being so tested and examined, it is found that such voting machine is in perfect working order, all registering counters shall be set at zero (0), the reading of the protective counter shall be read and recorded and the precinct election officials may proceed with the opening of the polls. If such machine be found not to be in perfect working order as hereinbefore provided, it shall not be used in the election, but shall be replaced with another machine which is in perfect working order, properly set, tested and sealed, and the election board shall then proceed to examine such machine in the same manner as is provided in this section for the examination of each voting machine by the election board before the opening of the polls. They shall not thereafter permit the counters to be operated or moved except by electors in voting, and they shall also see that all necessary arrangements and adjustments are made for voting irregular ballots on the machine. Each precinct election official shall sign a certificate which shall certify that he has complied with all the provisions of this Article, and that, before the polls were declared open, he found the ballot labels to be in their proper places and to exactly agree with the facsimile diagrams and return or recording sheet belonging to that precinct; all registering counters set at zero (0); the number on the metal seal and the number on the protective counter exactly agree with the records furnished by the election authority; the metal seal actually was sealed so as to prevent movement of the voting machine mechanism without first breaking the seal; all ballot labels were clean and without marks of any kind upon them and they were in no way defaced or mutilated. When voting machines are used in an election precinct, the watchers or challengers representing the various political parties, candidates and citizens' organizations, provided by law to be present shall be permitted to be present from the time the precinct election board convenes on election morning until the completion of the canvass after the close of the polls. Such watchers shall be permitted to carefully examine each voting machine before the polls are declared open and to compare the number of the metal seal and the number on the protective counter with their own records, and to see that all ballot labels are in their proper places, and that the machine registering counters are all set at zero (0), and that the machine or machines are in every way ready for voting at the opening of the polls. If it is found that the ballot labels are not in their proper places on the machine, or that they fail to conform in any respect, with the facsimile diagrams and return sheets belonging to the precinct, the precinct election officials shall not use such machine but shall at once notify the proper election authority, and such machine shall not be used until the election authority or person authorized by it, shall have supplied the proper ballot labels, and shall have placed such proper ballot labels in their proper places, and they shall have been found to be correct by the precinct election officials and watchers. If any registering counter shall be found not to be set at zero (0), the precinct election officials shall immediately notify the custodian or officer or officers or board having charge of the preparation of the voting machines for the election or primary, and the election authority or person authorized by him or them or it shall adjust such registering counter or counters to zero (0), in the presence of all the precinct election officials and watchers serving in such election district.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

10 ILCS 5/24-14

    (10 ILCS 5/24-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 24-14)
    Sec. 24-14. Ballots voted for any person whose name does not appear on the ballot label on the machine as a candidate for office are herein referred to as irregular ballots.
    Such irregular ballot shall be deposited, written or affixed in or upon the receptacle or device provided on the machine for that purpose.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 288.)

10 ILCS 5/24-15

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

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

10 ILCS 5/24A-1

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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

    (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.)