Article 24

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10 ILCS 5/24-1 — Providing Voting Machines

The election authority in all jurisdictions when voting machines are used shall, except as otherwise provided in this Code, provide a voting machine or voting machines for any or all of the election precincts or election districts, as the case may be, for which the election authority is by law charged with the duty of conducting an election or elections.

Number of Voting Machines Per Population

A voting machine or machines sufficient in number to provide a machine for each 400 voters or fraction thereof shall be supplied for use at all elections.

Basic Requirements For a Voting Machine

However, no such voting machine shall be used, purchased, or adopted, and no person or entity may have a written contract, including a contract contingent upon certification of the voting machines, to sell, lease, or loan voting machines to an election authority, until the board of voting machine commissioners hereinafter provided for, or a majority thereof, shall have made and filed a report certifying that they have examined such machine;

• that it affords each elector an opportunity to vote in absolute secrecy;
• that it enables each elector to vote a ticket selected in part from the nominees of one party, and in part from the nominees of any or all other parties, and in part from independent nominees printed in the columns of candidates for public office, and in part of persons not in nomination by any party or upon any independent ticket;
• that it enables each elector to vote a written or printed ballot of his own selection, for any person for any office for whom he may desire to vote;
• that it enables each elector to vote for all candidates for whom he is entitled to vote, and prevents him from voting for any candidate for any office more than once, unless he is lawfully entitled to cast more than one vote for one candidate, and in that event permits him to cast only as many votes for that candidate as he is by law entitled, and no more;
• that it prevents the elector from voting for more than one person for the same office, unless he is lawfully entitled to vote for more than one person therefor, and in that event permits him to vote for as many persons for that office as he is by law entitled, and no more;
• that it identifies when an elector has not voted for all statewide constitutional offices;
• and that such machine will register correctly by means of exact counters every vote cast for the regular tickets thereon;
• and has the capacity to contain the tickets of at least 5 political parties with the names of all the candidates thereon, together with all propositions in the form provided by law, where such form is prescribed, and where no such provision is made for the form thereof, then in brief form, not to exceed 75 words;
• that all votes cast on the machine on a regular ballot or ballots shall be registered;
• that voters may, by means of irregular ballots or otherwise vote for any person for any office, although such person may not have been nominated by any party and his name may not appear on such machine;
• that when a vote is cast for any person for any such office, when his name does not appear on the machine, the elector cannot vote for any other name on the machine for the same office;
• that each elector can, understandingly and within the period of 4 minutes cast his vote for all candidates of his choice;
• that the machine is so constructed that the candidates for presidential electors of any party can be voted for only by voting for the ballot label containing a bracket within which are the names of the candidates for President and Vice-President of the party or group;
• that the machine is provided with a lock or locks by the use of which any movement of the voting or registering mechanism is absolutely prevented so that it cannot be tampered with or manipulated for any purpose;
• that the machine is susceptible of being closed during the progress of the voting so that no person can see or know the number of votes registered for any candidate;
• that each elector is permitted to vote for or against any question, proposition or amendment upon which he is entitled to vote, and is prevented from voting for or against any question, proposition or amendment upon which he is not entitled to vote;
• that the machine is capable of adjustment by the election authority, so as to permit the elector, at a party primary election, to vote only for the candidates seeking nomination by the political party in which primary he is entitled to vote:
• Provided, also that no such machine or machines shall be purchased, unless the party or parties making the sale shall guarantee in writing to keep the machine or machines in good working order for 5 years without additional cost and shall give a sufficient bond conditioned to that effect.

10 ILCS 5/24-1.1 — Introducing A Voting Machine [not included]

10 ILCS 5/24-1.2 — Paper Ballots

Paper ballots may be used for the conduct of the consolidated election in odd-numbered years, the special municipal primary in even-numbered years, and emergency referenda held at any time, except in regular elections in which the only offices or propositions on the ballot are for political subdivisions for which offices have heretofore been voted on using voting machines or electronic voting systems and except as otherwise provided by regulation of the State Board of Elections adopted pursuant to this Section.

The State Board of Elections may adopt regulations requiring the use of voting machines or electronic voting devices, as are available in the jurisdiction of the election authority, in such elections.

Such regulations shall be applicable uniformly statewide, and shall require the use of such voting equipment only in those elections and only in those precincts where

• (1) the ballots to be voted are complex, due to large numbers of offices, candidates, or public questions required to be on the ballot,
• (2) the number of political subdivisions whose officers or public questions are to be included on the ballot is substantial, and
• (3) the use of such voting equipment is efficient, cost effective, and does not result in unjustified election expenses to be reimbursed by the political subdivisions that will share such expenses pursuant to Sections 17-30 through 17-33. Such regulations may provide reasonable classifications based on the above factors.

10 ILCS 5/24-2 — Voting Machine Requirements [not included]

10 ILCS 5/24-3 — Appointing Mechanical Experts[not included]

10 ILCS 5/24-4 — Trial Use Of A New Voting Machines

The election authorities may provide for the experimental use, at any election or elections, in one or more election precincts, of a machine or machines which it might lawfully adopt, without a formal adoption thereof, and their use at such elections shall be as valid for all purposes as if they had been lawfully adopted.

10 ILCS 5/24-5 — Issuing Bonds To Pay For Voting Machines [not included]

10 ILCS 5/24-6 — Consolidating Polling Places For Efficient Use Of Voting Machines

For any election in which voting machines are to be used, the election precincts in which such voting machines are to be used may be created or consolidated into one area by the election authority so as to contain as near as may be five hundred voters for each voting machine to be used therein. The said consolidated precincts to consist of no more than four and to be contiguous and to be known as Consolidated Areas. When voting machines are used in contiguous precincts as now or hereafter established, they shall be consolidated in such manner as to provide for the efficient and economical use thereof. Such consolidation shall be made under such regulations as to time and manner as are now provided by law, shall be for the purpose of more efficient conduct of an election and shall not constitute a change in precinct boundaries.

10 ILCS 5/24-7 — Keeping Voting Machines In Repair [not included]

10 ILCS 5/24-8 — Voting Machines In the Polling Place

Location of Voting Machines

The exterior of the voting machines, and every part of the polling place shall be in plain view of the election officials. The voting machine or voting machines shall be placed at least one foot from every wall and partition of the polling place and at least three (3) feet from any election officials or table used by them, and it shall be so placed that no person can see or determine how the voter casts his vote.

How Many Voters Allowed Near the Voting Machines

After the opening of the polls, the election judges shall permit within the proximity of the voting machine or machines at any one time, not more than twice as many voters waiting to vote, as there are voting machines in use in that election precinct or district. They shall not themselves remain or permit any other person to remain in any position or near any position that would permit one to see or ascertain how a voter votes, or how he has voted.

No voter shall remain within the voting booth or compartment longer than four (4) minutes, and if any voter shall refuse to leave after the expiration of four (4) minutes, he shall at once be removed by the election officials, or upon their order; provided, however, that one election judge may station himself at the side of the machine or machines for the express purpose of actuating the entrance knob, or other device so the voter can operate the voting machine and also in a primary, to set the primary lever or device, so as to enable the voter to vote in the party of which he is a member and to prevent the voter from voting for the candidate or candidates in any other party.

The voting machine or machines shall be so placed in the polling place that the ballot labels on the face of the machine can be seen plainly by the precinct election officials and pollwatchers when not in use by the voters. The election precinct officials having charge of each machine shall inspect the face of the voting machine after each voter has completed the casting of his vote to see that the ballot labels are in proper position and that the machine has not been injured or tampered with, and after any voter has voted, the precinct election officials having charge of the machine shall, upon request, permit any pollwatcher to inspect the face of the voting machine to see that the ballot labels are in proper position and have not been injured or marked upon and that the machine has not been tampered with.

If it shall be found that such mutilation or marking shall have occurred, the election board shall immediately notify the custodian of the voting machines, or the officer or board having charge of the preparation of the machines, and such custodian or officer or board shall forthwith replace such ballot labels with new ones.

Poll Watcher Inspection Voting Machines

Pollwatchers as provided by law shall be permitted to carefully check the voting machine and its protective devices, and ballot labels and registering counters, before the polls may be declared open on election morning, and they shall be permitted to remain in the polling place at all times throughout the conduct of the election if desired, and after the close of the polls, to be present and check the protective devices and registering counters of each voting machine, and the official return sheets thereof.

10 ILCS 5/24-8.1 — Voter Not Participating In The Primary

Whenever on the same day as a primary election 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, either a separate voting machine or a voting booth and paper ballots 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.

10 ILCS 5/24-9 — Assisted Voters

Assistance to illiterate voters and voters with disabilities shall be given in accordance with the provisions in Section 17-14. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Act.

10 ILCS 5/24-10 — Mechanically Operated Instruction Voting Machine

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.

Access To The Instruction Voting Machine

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.

Voter Machine Diagrams

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.

Instruction After A Voter Accesses A Working Voting Machine

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-11 — Ballot Label

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.

[Beyond knowing that the ballot label exists, this long section is of limited interest to poll watchers. If you have further interest, check the source material.]

10 ILCS 5/24-12 — Facsimile Diagrams of Voting Machines

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.

[Beyond knowing that the facsimile diagrams exists, this long section is of limited interest to poll watchers. If you have further interest, check the source material.]

10 ILCS 5/24-13 — Preparing the Voting Machine

Labeling & Preparation of Voting Machines

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.

Testing Voting Machines

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.

Objections

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.

Delivery of the Voting Machine Keys to the Precinct

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

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.

Removing Electronic Voting Equipment From Service

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.

Examination of Electronic Voting Equipment By Poll Watchers

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.

Register Not Set To Zero

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-14 — Irregular Ballots

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-15 — Upon Closing The Polls

Securing the Voting Machines

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.

Announcing the Vote Count & Vote Totals

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.

Poll Watchers

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.

Return Sheets

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.

Vote Totals & Certificates

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-16 — Canvassing the Vote

Counting the Number of Votes

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.

Canvassing Each Machine

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.

Recording the Totals From Each 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.

Announcing the Totals

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.

Recheck of the Totals

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.

Recheck of the Machines

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.

certifying the Canvass of Voting Machines

ach 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.

Canvassing Irregular Ballots

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.

Signing the Certificate

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.

Gathering All Ballots, Return Sheets, & Certificates

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.

Locking the Voting Machines

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-17 — Returning the Keys To the Voting Machines

ll 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.

10 ILCS 5/24-18 — A Voting Machine Supplied With a Recording Or Photographic Device

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-19 — Tampering With A Voting Machine

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-20 — Tampering With the Vote Count On a Voting Machine

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-22 — Application of the Election Code

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.

10 ILCS 5/24-24 — Invalid Sections of This Article

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.