Article 18

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10 ILCS 5/18-1 — Where This Article Is Applicable

The provisions of this Article 18 shall be applicable only to and in municipalities operating under Article 6 of this Act.

At every election in any municipality operating under Article 6 of this Act, each of the political parties shall have the right to designate a canvasser for each election precinct, who may make a canvass of the precinct in which he is appointed to act, not less than 20 nor more than 31 days previous to such election, for the purpose of ascertaining the names and addresses of the legal voters residing in such precinct. An authority signed by the executive director of the board of election commissioners, shall be sufficient evidence of the right of such canvasser to make a canvass of the precinct in which he is appointed to act. The executive director of the board of election commissioners shall issue such certificate of authority to any person designated in a written request signed by the recognized chair or presiding officer of the chief managing committee of a political party in such city, village or incorporated town; and a record shall be kept in the office of the election commissioners of all appointments of such canvassers. In making such canvass no person shall refuse to answer questions and give the information asked for and known to him or her.

10 ILCS 5/18-2 — Poll Hours

In any municipality operating under Article 6 of this Act, the election polls shall be open at 6:00 a.m., and continued open until 7:00 p.m., of the same day, at which time the polls shall be closed, and no judge shall be behind time for more than 15 minutes after the time for opening such polls. Any judge may absent himself for a reasonable time but only during the casting of ballots, and upon leaving and returning, the judge shall sign a time sheet indicating the period of his absence. When absent for any cause, the judge shall authorize some one of the same political party with himself to act for him until his return.

10 ILCS 5/18-3 — Ballot Boxes

• (a) Before voting begins in such municipalities the ballot box shall be empty; and shall be opened and shown to those present to be empty, after which it shall be locked and the key delivered to one of the judges, and it shall not be removed from public view from the time when it is shown to be empty until after the close of the polls. It shall remain locked and shall not be again opened until after the close of the polls. This paragraph (a) applies whenever permanent type ballot boxes are used, and does not apply when non-permanent type ballot boxes are used in accordance with section 15-4, paragraph (b). this link opens in a new browser tab..
• (b) When non-permanent type ballot boxes are used in accordance with section 15-4, paragraph (b). this link opens in a new browser tab., prior to the commencement of voting and before any ballots are deposited therein, the judges shall examine each sealed ballot box, show it to those present and insure that it is in fact sealed and empty; the sealed slot shall be broken open before those present and the box inspected to insure that it is empty and such ballot box shall not be removed from public view from the time it is so inspected until after the close of the polls. This sealed opening on the side of the box shall not be unsealed or opened until after the close of the polls.
• (c) Regardless of whether a permanent type or a non-permanent type ballot boxes are used, the judges of election shall keep such ballot box constantly in public view during the progress of the election. If any barricade or other obstruction of any kind is, prior to or during such election, interposed, so that all who desire cannot constantly see such ballot box, the judges shall remove such obstruction on request or on their own motion, and if such obstruction is not removed on request, any sheriff or police officer shall remove the same on request. Any court has jurisdiction, on complaint, to issue a warrant to the sheriff of the county to remove such obstruction as a nuisance; and in executing such warrant he may call any person to his assistance, and no other officer of the law or private individual shall interpose or interfere with such removal.

10 ILCS 5/18-4 — Poll Record

The official poll record provided for by sections 6-66 and 6-67 of Article 6 of this Act shall constitute the poll list, and poll books shall not be kept by judges of election. Where in respect to any municipality operating under Article 6 reference is made to poll lists or poll books, such reference shall hereafter apply to the official poll record.

10 ILCS 5/18-5 — Voting

Any person desiring to vote and whose name is found upon the register of voters by the person having charge thereof, shall then be questioned by one of the judges as to

• his nativity,
• his term of residence at present address,
• precinct, State and United States,
• his age,
• whether naturalized and if so the date of naturalization papers and court from which secured,
• and he shall be asked to state his residence when last previously registered and the date of the election for which he then registered.

The judges of elections shall check each application for ballot against the list of voters registered in that precinct to whom grace period, vote by mail, and early ballots have been issued for that election, which shall be provided by the election authority and which list shall be available for inspection by pollwatchers.

A voter applying to vote in the precinct on election day whose name appears on the list as having been issued a grace period, vote by mail, or early ballot shall not be permitted to vote in the precinct, except that a voter to whom a vote by mail ballot was issued may vote in the precinct if the voter submits to the election judges that vote by mail ballot for cancellation. If the voter is unable to submit the vote by mail ballot, it shall be sufficient for the voter to submit to the election judges

• (i) a portion of the vote by mail ballot if the vote by mail ballot was torn or mutilated or
• (ii) an affidavit executed before the election judges specifying that
  • (A) the voter never received a vote by mail ballot or
  • (B) the voter completed and returned a vote by mail ballot and was informed that the election authority did not receive that vote by mail ballot.

If such person so registered shall be challenged as disqualified, the party challenging shall assign his reasons therefor, and thereupon one of the judges shall administer to him an oath to answer questions, and if he shall take the oath he shall then be questioned by the judge or judges touching such cause of challenge, and touching any other cause of disqualification.

And he may also be questioned by the person challenging him in regard to his qualifications and identity.

But if a majority of the judges are of the opinion that he is the person so registered and a qualified voter, his vote shall then be received accordingly.

But if his vote be rejected by such judges, such person may afterward produce and deliver an affidavit to such judges, subscribed and sworn to by him before one of the judges, in which it shall be stated how long he has resided in such precinct, and state; that he is a citizen of the United States, and is a duly qualified voter in such precinct, and that he is the identical person so registered.

In addition to such an affidavit, the person so challenged shall provide to the judges of election proof of residence by producing 2 forms of identification showing the person's current residence address, provided that such identification may include a lease or contract for a residence and not more than one piece of mail addressed to the person at his current residence address and postmarked not earlier than 30 days prior to the date of the election, or the person shall procure a witness personally known to the judges of election, and resident in the precinct (or district), or who shall be proved by some legal voter of such precinct or district, known to the judges to be such, who shall take the oath following, viz:

The oath in each case may be administered by one of the judges of election, or by any officer, resident in the precinct or district, authorized by law to administer oaths.

Also supported by an affidavit by a registered voter residing in such precinct, stating his own residence, and that he knows such person; and that he does reside at the place mentioned and has resided in such precinct and state for the length of time as stated by such person, which shall be subscribed and sworn to in the same way.

For purposes of this Section, the submission of a photo identification issued by a college or university, accompanied by either

• (i) a copy of the applicant's contract or lease for a residence or
• (ii) one piece of mail addressed to the person at his or her current residence address and postmarked not earlier than 30 days prior to the date of the election,

shall be sufficient to establish proof of residence.

Whereupon the vote of such person shall be received, and entered as other votes. But such judges, having charge of such registers, shall state in their respective books the facts in such case, and the affidavits, so delivered to the judges, shall be preserved and returned to the office of the commissioners of election.

Blank affidavits of the character aforesaid shall be sent out to the judges of all the precincts, and the judges of election shall furnish the same on demand and administer the oaths without criticism. Such oaths, if administered by any other officer than such judge of election, shall not be received.

Whenever a proposal for a constitutional amendment or for the calling of a constitutional convention is to be voted upon at the election, the separate blue ballot or ballots pertaining thereto shall be placed on top of the other ballots to be voted at the election in such manner that the legend appearing on the back thereof, as prescribed in Section 16-6 of this Act, shall be plainly visible to the voter, and in this fashion the ballots shall be handed to the voter by the judge.

Notification On Whether Voting Machine Accepted the Vote

Immediately after voting, the voter shall be instructed whether the voting equipment, if used, accepted or rejected the ballot or identified the ballot as under-voted. A voter whose ballot is identified as under-voted for a statewide constitutional office may return to the voting booth and complete the voting of that ballot.

A voter whose ballot is not accepted by the voting equipment may, upon surrendering the ballot, request and vote another ballot. The voter's surrendered ballot shall be initialed by the election judge and handled as provided in the appropriate Article governing that voting equipment.

After Voting

The voter shall, upon quitting the voting booth, deliver to one of the judges of election all of the ballots, properly folded, which he received.

• The judge of election to whom the voter delivers his ballots shall not accept the same unless all of the ballots given to the voter are returned by him. If a voter delivers less than all of the ballots given to him, the judge to whom the same are offered shall advise him in a voice clearly audible to the other judges of election that the voter must return the remainder of the ballots.
• The statement of the judge to the voter shall clearly express the fact that the voter is not required to vote such remaining ballots but that whether or not he votes them he must fold and deliver them to the judge.
• In making such statement the judge of election shall not indicate by word, gesture or intonation of voice that the unreturned ballots shall be voted in any particular manner.
• No new voter shall be permitted to enter the voting booth of a voter who has failed to deliver the total number of ballots received by him until such voter has returned to the voting booth pursuant to the judge's request and again quit the booth with all of the ballots required to be returned by him.
• Upon receipt of all such ballots the judges of election shall enter the name of the voter, and his number, as above provided in this Section, and the judge to whom the ballots are delivered shall immediately put the ballots into the ballot box.
• If any voter who has failed to deliver all the ballots received by him refuses to return to the voting booth after being advised by the judge of election as herein provided, the judge shall inform the other judges of such refusal, and thereupon the ballot or ballots returned to the judge shall be deposited in the ballot box, the voter shall be permitted to depart from the polling place, and a new voter shall be permitted to enter the voting booth.

Election Judge Announces Vote

The judge of election who receives the ballot or ballots from the voter shall announce the residence and name of such voter in a loud voice. The judge shall put the ballot or ballots received from the voter into the ballot box in the presence of the voter and the judges of election, and in plain view of the public. The judges having charge of such registers shall then, in a column prepared thereon, in the same line of, the name of the voter, mark "Voted" or the letter "V".

Return Of All Ballots

No judge of election shall accept from any voter less than the full number of ballots received by such voter without first advising the voter in the manner above provided of the necessity of returning all of the ballots, nor shall any such judge advise such voter in a manner contrary to that which is herein permitted, or in any other manner violate the provisions of this Section; provided, that the acceptance by a judge of election of less than the full number of ballots delivered to a voter who refuses to return to the voting booth after being properly advised by such judge shall not be a violation of this Section.

10 ILCS 5 18/5.1 — Voters With Disabilities

The provisions of Section 17-13. this link opens in a new browser tab., insofar as they may be made applicable to voters with disabilities in elections under the jurisdiction of boards of election commissioners, shall be applicable herein.

10 ILCS 5/18-6 — Poll Watchers

The provisions of Section 17-23. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Code, insofar as applicable to pollwatchers in elections under the jurisdiction of boards of election commissioners, shall be applicable herein.

10 ILCS 5/18-7 — Keeping the Peace

Said judges of election shall have authority and it shall be their duty to keep the peace, and to cause any person to be arrested for any breach of the peace or for any breach of election laws, or any interference with progress of registration, revision, election or of the canvass of the ballots; and it shall be the duty of all officers of the law present to obey the order of such judges of election, or either of them, and an officer making an arrest, by direction of any judge, shall be protected in making such arrest the same as if a warrant had been issued to him to make such arrest.

10 ILCS 5/18-8 — At the Close of the Polls

As soon as the poll of an election shall have been finally closed, the judges of election, in their several precincts, shall immediately, and at the place of the poll, proceed to canvass the vote so cast. Such canvass shall not be adjourned or postponed until it shall have been fully completed, nor until the several statements herein required to be made by the judges shall have been made out and signed by them. The judges of election shall have the right to station one or more police officers or officers of the peace, at such entrance to the room where such canvass is begun, or about to take place, to exclude disorderly persons, and to keep the peace.

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.

10 ILCS 5/18-9 — Counting the Vote

The First Count

The judges of election shall first count the whole number of ballots in the box. If the ballots shall be found to exceed the number of applications for ballot, they shall reject the ballots, if any, found folded inside of a ballot. And if the ballots and the applications for ballot still do not agree after such rejection, the ballots shall be replaced in the box and the box closed and well shaken, and again opened; and one of the judges shall publicly draw out so many ballots unopened as shall be equal to such excess. Such excess ballots shall be marked "Excess-Not Counted" and signed by a majority of judges and shall be placed in the "After 6:00 p.m. Defective Ballots Envelope". The number of excess ballots shall be noted in the remarks section of the Certificate of Results.

Excess ballots

"Excess" ballots shall not be counted in the total of "defective" ballots. And the ballots and applications for ballot being made to agree in this way, the judges shall proceed to count the votes in the following manner: The judges shall open the ballots and place those which contain the same names together, so that the several kinds shall be in separate piles or on separate files. Each of the judges shall examine the separate files which are, manner shall be different from the others of such file. One of the judges shall then take one file of the kind of ballots which contain the same names, and count them by tens, carefully examining each name on each of the ballots. Such judge shall then pass the ten ballots aforesaid to the judge sitting next to him, who shall count them in the same manner, who shall then pass them to a third judge, who shall also count them in the same manner. Then the third judge shall call the names of the persons named in the ten ballots, and the offices for which they are designated, and 2 of the judges, who did not assist in the counting shall tally ten votes for each of such persons, except as herein otherwise provided.

Tallying Votes Per Office, Per Candidate

When the judges shall have gone through such file of ballots, containing the same names, and shall count them by tens in the same way, and shall call the names of the persons named in the ballots and the office for which they are designated, the tally judges shall tally the votes by tens for each of such persons in the same manner as in the first instance.

When the counting of each file of ballots which contain the same names shall be completed, the tally judges shall compare their tallies together and ascertain the total number of ballots of that kind so canvassed; and when they agree upon the number, one of them shall announce it in a loud voice to the other judges.

The judges shall then canvass the other kinds of ballots which do not correspond, those containing names partly from one kind of ballots and partly from another, being those from which the name of the person proper to be voted for on such ballots has been omitted or erased, usually called "scratched tickets". They shall be canvassed separately by one of the judges sitting between 2 other judges, which judge shall call each name to the tally judges and the office for which it is designated, and the other judges looking at the ballot at the same time, and the tally judges making tally of the same.

When all the ballots have been canvassed in this manner, the tally judges shall compare their tallies together, and ascertain the total number of votes received by each candidate and when they agree upon the numbers one of them shall announce in a loud voice to the judges the number of votes received by each candidate on each of the kinds of ballots containing his name, the number received by him on scratch tickets, and the total number of votes received by him.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

The votes for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be counted and tallied jointly.

Electronic Voting Machines

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.

10 ILCS 5/18-9.1 — Write–In Votes

Except as otherwise provided in this Code, write-in votes shall be counted only for persons who have filed notarized declarations of intent to be write-in candidates with the proper election authority or authorities not later than 61 days prior to the election. However, whenever an objection to a candidate's nominating papers or petitions is sustained under Section 10-10 after the 61st day before the election, then write-in votes shall be counted for that candidate if he or she has filed a notarized declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for that office with the proper election authority or authorities not later than 7 days prior to the election.

Forms for the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate shall be supplied by the election authorities. Such declaration shall specify the office for which the person seeks election as a write-in candidate.

The election authority or authorities shall deliver a list of all persons who have filed such declarations to the election judges in the appropriate precincts prior to the election.

A candidate for whom a nomination paper has been filed as a partisan candidate at a primary election, and who is defeated for his or her nomination at the primary election, is ineligible to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election in that general or consolidated election.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such caucus is ineligible to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election in that general or consolidated election.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates are nominated at a primary election on a nonpartisan basis and who is defeated for his or her nomination at the primary election is ineligible to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election in that general or consolidated election.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to apply to votes cast under the provisions of subsection (b) of Section 16-5.01.

10 ILCS 5/18-9.2 — Revised Write–In Ballots

Where a vacancy in nomination is filled pursuant to Section 7-61 or Section 10-11, the vote by mail votes cast for the original candidate on the first ballot shall not be counted. For this purpose, in those jurisdictions where electronic voting systems are used, the election authority shall determine a method by which the first ballots containing the name of the original candidate may be segregated from the revised ballots containing the name of the successor candidate and separately counted.

Where a vacancy in nomination is not filled pursuant to Section 7-61 or Section 10-11, all votes cast for the original candidate shall be counted for such candidate.

10 ILCS 5/18-10 — Batches of Hand Counted Votes

(Each batch of ten ballots counted by the judges of election shall, as soon as counted, read and tallied, be strung upon a strong string, thread or twine in the order in which they have been read; and each batch shall thus be disposed of before the commencement of the count as to the next batch.

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.

10 ILCS 5/18-11 — Canvassing Ballot Propositions

Whenever any proposition is submitted to a vote of the people and is printed or written upon the same ticket, with the names of candidates for office, the names, together with such proposition, shall be canvassed in the following manner: All the ballots shall be first separated into 3 piles; the first pile containing all the ballots in favor of such proposition; the second pile containing all the ballots against such proposition, and the third pile containing all the ballots not mentioning such proposition, or being neither for nor against such proposition. Each of the judges shall then examine each pile and see that the separation has been properly made. Then the first pile shall be counted by tens, and the result announced to the tally judges who shall tally the same by tens. And so the second pile shall be counted, announced and tallied, and likewise the third pile, if necessary. Whereupon the tally judges shall announce to the judges the number of votes for and the number of votes against such proposition. The ballots for or against any proposition submitted shall always be canvassed, counted and tallied after the names of candidates for any office are canvassed, counted or tallied.

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.

10 ILCS 5/18-12 — Adding the Tally Of A Proposition Tally To The Tally Sheet

If the tally sheet and returns should contain no heading for any proposition submitted, it shall be the duty of the tally judges to write into such tally sheets and returns the headings necessary in order to keep a correct tally, and to make a correct and accurate return, and it shall be the legal duty of the judges of election to make a true count and correct return of all votes upon any such proposition.

10 ILCS 5/18-13 — Proclaiming The Vote Tally

When the canvass of the ballots has been completed, and the tally judges have announced to the judges the total number of votes received by each candidate, each of the judges of the election in turn shall then proclaim, in a loud voice, the total number of votes received by each of the persons voted for in such precinct, and the office for which he is designated, and the number of votes for and the number of votes against any proposition which shall have been submitted to a vote of the people. Such proclamation shall be prima facie evidence of the result of the canvass of such ballots.

Immediately after making such proclamation the judges shall designate one of their number to go to the nearest telephone and report to the office of the board of election commissioners the result announced in such proclamation. The board of election commissioners shall keep its office open after the close of the polls on the day of any election until it has received from each precinct in the county the report above provided for. Immediately upon receiving such report the board of election commissioners shall cause the same to be posted in a public place in its office for inspection by the public. Immediately after making such report such judge shall return to the polling place and the judges shall proceed with their duties prescribed in this Code.

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.

10 ILCS 5/18-14 — Statements of Results

The judges of election shall make duplicate statements of the result of the canvass, which shall be written or partly written and partly printed. Each of the statements shall contain a caption stating the day on which, and the number of the election precinct and the ward, city and county, in relation to which such statements shall be made, and the time of opening and closing of the polls of such election precinct. It shall also contain a statement showing the whole number of votes given for each person, designating the office for which they were given, which statement shall be written, or partly written and partly printed, in words at length; and in case a proposition of any kind has been submitted to a vote at such election, such statements shall also show the whole number of votes cast for or against such proposition, written out or partly written and partly printed, in words at length, and at the end thereof a certificate that such statement is correct in all respects; which certificate, and each sheet of paper forming part of the statement, shall be subscribed by the judges. If any judge shall decline to sign such return, he shall state his reason therefor in writing, and a copy thereof, signed by himself, shall be enclosed with each return. Each of the statements shall be enclosed in an envelope, which shall then be securely sealed with sealing wax or other adhesive material; and each of the judges shall write his name across every fold at which the envelope, if unfastened, could be opened. One of the envelopes shall be directed to the county clerk and one to the comptroller of the city, or to the officer of such city whose duties correspond with those of comptroller. The judges of election shall make quadruplicate sets of tallies, and each set of tallies shall also be signed by the judges of the election. If, however, the number of established political parties, as defined in Section 10-2, exceeds 2, one additional set of tallies shall be made and signed for each established political party in excess of 2. Each set shall be enclosed in an envelope, securely sealed and signed in like manner; and one of the envelopes shall be directed on the outside to the election commissioners and the other to the city, village or town clerk; the other two envelopes shall be addressed, respectively, to the chairmen of the county central committees of the established political parties. On the outside of every envelope shall be endorsed whether it contains the statements of the votes cast or the tallies, and for what precinct and ward, village or town.

However, in those jurisdictions where electronic voting systems utilizing in-precinct counting equipment are used, one such envelope shall be transmitted to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party and 2 such envelopes shall be transmitted to the board of election commissioners.

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this Section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.

At the nonpartisan and consolidated elections, the judges of election shall make a tally sheet and certificate of results for each political subdivision as to which candidates or public questions are on the ballot at such election, except where such votes are to be canvassed by the board of election commissioners or by the city canvassing board provided in Section 22-8. The judges shall sign, seal in a marked envelope and deliver them to the county clerk with the other certificates of results herein required. Such tally sheets and certificates of results may be duplicates of the tally sheet and certificate of results otherwise required by this Section, showing all votes for all candidates and public questions voted for or upon in the precinct, or may be on separate forms prepared by the election authority and showing only those votes cast for candidates and public questions of each such political subdivision.

Within 2 days of delivery of complete returns of the consolidated and nonpartisan elections, the board of election commissioners shall transmit an original, sealed tally sheet and certificate of results from each precinct in its jurisdiction in which candidates or public questions of a political subdivision were on the ballot to the local election official of such political subdivision where a local canvassing board is designated to canvass such votes. Each local election official, within 24 hours of receipt of all of the tally sheets and certificates of results for all precincts in which candidates or public questions of his political subdivision were on the ballot, shall transmit such sealed tally sheets and certificates of results to the canvassing board for that political subdivision.

In the case of referenda for the formation of a political subdivision the tally sheets and certificates of results shall be transmitted by the board of election commissioners to the circuit court that ordered the proposition submitted or to the officials designated by the court to conduct the canvass of votes. In the case of school referenda for which a regional superintendent of schools is responsible for the canvass of votes, the board of election commissioners shall transmit the tally sheets and certificates of results to the regional superintendent.

10 ILCS 5/18-15 — Securing the Poll Books

The poll books shall be enclosed in an envelope, which shall then be securely sealed with sealing wax, or other adhesive material; and each of the judges shall write his name across every fold at which the envelope if unfastened could be opened.

10 ILCS 5/18-16 — Delivering Election Documents to Designated Receiving Station

Thereupon one of the judges of election shall take charge of the poll books and the key to the ballot box. Two of the judges shall each take one of the statements of the votes cast into his possession sealed up in the envelopes as aforesaid, and each of the remaining 2 judges shall take one of the tally sheets sealed up in the envelopes as aforesaid. Thereupon the judge having possession of such poll books shall immediately deliver the poll books to the Board of Election Commissioners, or to the person or persons delegated by the board to receive such envelopes, and at such place or places within the area served by the board as pre-determined by the board, with the seal unbroken and shall receive a receipt therefor; and the other judges shall immediately deliver the statements and tallies so in their possession respectively, to the respective officers to whom addressed as aforesaid and who, by this Act, are entitled to receive the same, and when delivered, each one shall take a receipt from the officer to whom delivered. Such envelopes shall be delivered to such officers or their duly authorized and appointed representatives, at the time and place where such envelopes are delivered to the Board of Election Commissioners or its designated receiving stations as pre-determined by the board, as hereinabove provided for. And none of them shall receive pay for their services as such judges without the production of the receipts so given them by the officers as aforesaid. It shall be the duty of the respective officers so designated, to whom such statements and tallies are ordered to be delivered, to receive the same, and to safely keep under lock and key until ordered to be surrendered as herein provided; and the Board of Election Commissioners shall safely keep such poll books under lock and key for one year.

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this Section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.

10 ILCS 5/18-18 — Costs of Emergency Referenda Or Special Elections

The costs and expenses of emergency referenda elections or special elections conducted by boards of election commissioners shall be paid as provided in Sections 17-30 and 17-32 of this Code.

10 ILCS 5/18-40 — Voting Equipment

• (a) If the election authority has adopted the use of Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting equipment pursuant to Article 24B. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Code, and the provisions of the Article are in conflict with the provisions of this Article 18, the provisions of Article 24B shall govern the procedures followed by the election authority, its judges of elections, and all employees and agents. In following the provisions of Article 24B, the election authority is authorized to develop and implement procedures to fully utilize Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting equipment authorized by the State Board of Elections as long as the procedure is not in conflict with either Article 24B or the administrative rules of the State Board of Elections.
• (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), when voting equipment governed by any Article of this Code is used, the requirements of Section 18-5 that
  • (i) the voter must be notified of the voting equipment's acceptance or rejection of the ballot or a statewide constitutional office and
  • (ii) the voter shall have the opportunity to correct an under-vote for a statewide constitutional office or surrender the ballot that was not accepted and vote another ballot shall not be modified.

10 ILCS 5/18-100 — Definition Of A Vote

• (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the purpose of this Article, a person casts a valid vote on a punch card ballot when:
  • (1) A chad on the card has at least one corner detached from the card;
  • (2) The fibers of paper on at least one edge of the chad are broken in a way that permits unimpeded light to be seen through the card; or
  • (3) An indentation on the chad from the stylus or other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote based on the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to any pattern or frequency of indentations on other ballot positions from the same ballot card.
• (b) Write-in votes shall be counted in a manner consistent with the existing provisions of this Code.
• (c) For purposes of this Section, a "chad" is that portion of a ballot card that a voter punches or perforates with a stylus or other designated marking device to manifest his or her vote for a particular ballot position on a ballot card as defined in subsection (a).
• (d) Prior to the original counting of any punch card ballots, an election judge may not alter a punch card ballot in any manner, including, but not limited to, the removal or manipulation of chads.