Article 24A

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10 ILCS 5/1 — The Purpose of This Article

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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-2 — Definitions, 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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-3 — Public Notice For New Systems [not included]

10 ILCS 5/24A-3.1 — Polling Places for Electronic Voting Systems

Consolidating Precincts

hen 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.

Changing Precincts

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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-4 — System Requirements

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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-5 — Voting Booths

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.

Voter Not Declaring a Party In the Primary

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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-5.1 — Instruction-Model Electronic Voting System Marking Device

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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-5.2 — Providing A Demonstrator Electronic Voting System Marking Device [not included]

10 ILCS 5/24A-6 — Ballot Sheets, Booklets, Labels & Cards

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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-6.1 — Security Punch

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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-6.2 — Programming Tabulating Equipment

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.

10 ILCS 5/24A-7 — Write-In Ballots

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

10 ILCS 5/24A-8 — Readying Equipment Before the Polls Open

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

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

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

10 ILCS 5/24A-9 — Public Test of Tabulating Equipment

Pre-Test

Prior to the public test, the election authority shall conduct an errorless pre-test of the automatic tabulating equipment and program to ascertain that they will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and all measures.

Public Testing of Tabulating Equipment

On any day not less than 5 days prior to the election day, the election authority shall publicly test the automatic tabulating equipment and program to ascertain that they will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least 48 hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more newspapers published within the election jurisdiction of the election authority if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. Timely written notice stating the date, time and location of the public test shall also be provided to the State Board of Elections. The test shall be open to representatives of the political parties, the press, representatives of the State Board of Elections, and the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so punched or marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure, and shall include for each office one or more ballots which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment to reject such votes. Such test shall also include the use of precinct header cards and may include the production of an edit listing. In those election jurisdictions where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, a public test of both such equipment and program shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the manner prescribed above.

Selection of Special Test

The State Board of Elections may select as many election jurisdictions as the Board deems advisable in the interests of the election process of this State in which to order a special test of the automatic tabulating equipment and program prior to any regular election. The Board may order a special test in any election jurisdiction where, during the preceding twelve months, computer programming errors or other errors in the use of electronic voting systems resulted in vote tabulation errors. Not less than 30 days prior to any election, the State Board of Elections shall provide written notice to those selected jurisdictions of their intent to conduct a test. Within 5 days of receipt of the State Board of Elections' written notice of intent to conduct a test, the selected jurisdictions shall forward to the principal office of the State Board of Elections a copy of all specimen ballots. The State Board of Elections' tests shall be conducted and completed not less than 2 days prior to the public test and under the supervision of the Board. The vendor, person, or other private entity shall be solely responsible for the production and cost of: all ballots; additional temporary workers; and other equipment or facilities needed and used in the testing of the vendor's, person's, or other private entity's respective equipment and software. After an errorless test, materials used in the public test, including the program, if appropriate, shall be sealed and remain so until the test is run again on election day. If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless public test shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment is approved.

Sealed Copy of Test

Each election authority shall file a sealed copy of each tested program to be used within its jurisdiction at an election with the State Board of Elections prior to the election.

The Board shall secure the program or programs of each election jurisdiction so filed in its office until the next election of the same type (general primary, general election, consolidated primary, or consolidated election) for which the program or programs were filed. Upon the expiration of that time, if no election contest or appeal therefrom is pending in an election jurisdiction, the Board shall destroy the sealed program or programs.

Testing Immediately Before Use

Except where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, the test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballots, in the same manner as set forth above. After the completion of the count, the test shall be re-run using the same program.

Pre 1992 Tabulation Equipment

An election jurisdiction that was employing, as of January 1, 1983, an electronic voting system that, because of its design, is not technically capable of compliance with such a post-tabulation testing requirement shall satisfy the post-tabulation testing requirement by conducting the post-tabulation test on a duplicate program until such electronic voting system is replaced or until November 1, 1992, whichever is earlier.

Sealing & Storing the Test Results

Immediately thereafter the ballots, all material employed in testing the program and the program shall be sealed and retained under the custody of the election authority for a period of 60 days. At the expiration of that time the election authority shall destroy the voted ballot cards, together with all unused ballots returned from the precincts.

Contested Election

Provided, if any contest of election is pending at such time in which such ballots may be required as evidence and such election authority has notice thereof, the same shall not be destroyed until after such contest is finally determined.

Use of Back-Up Equipment

If the use of back-up equipment becomes necessary, the same testing required for the original equipment shall be conducted.

10 ILCS 5/24A-9.1 — Use of Electronic Scanning Device

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

Use of Ballot Sleeve

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

10 ILCS 5/24A-10 — Canvassing the Vote At The Central Counting Station

• (1) In an election jurisdiction which has adopted an electronic voting system, the election official in charge of the election shall select one of the 3 following procedures for receiving, counting, tallying, and return of the ballots:
  • (a) Two ballot boxes shall be provided for each polling place.

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

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

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

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

    or

  • (b) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used.

    All ballots which are not to be tabulated on the electronic voting system shall be counted, tallied, and returned as elsewhere provided in this Code for the counting and handling of paper ballots.

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

    • Immediately after the closing of the polls, the precinct judges of election then shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to determine that the number of ballots therein agree with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot or if the same do not agree the judges of election shall make such ballots agree with the applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Code.

    • Election Judge's Initials

      The judges of election shall then examine all ballot cards and ballot card envelopes which are in the ballot box to determine whether the ballot cards and ballot card envelopes bear the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any ballot card or ballot card envelope is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective," initialed as to such label by all judges immediately under such word "Defective," and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope."

    • Examination of Write–In Votes

      When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot card, before separating the ballot cards from their respective covering envelopes, the judges of election shall examine the ballot card envelopes for write-in votes. When the voter has voted a write-in vote, the judges of election shall compare the write-in vote with the votes on the ballot card to determine whether such write-in results in an overvote for any office.

    • Overvote of Write–In Votes

      In case of an overvote for any office, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card except for the office which is overvoted, by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer all votes of the voter except for the office overvoted, to an official ballot card of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The original ballot card and envelope upon which there is an overvote shall be clearly labeled "Overvoted Ballot", and each shall bear the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Overvoted Ballot" ballot cards and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots. The "Overvoted Ballot" ballots and their envelopes shall be placed in the "Duplicate Ballots" envelope.

    • Valid Write–In Vote Ballots

      Envelopes bearing write-in votes marked in the place designated therefor and bearing the initials of a precinct judge of election and not resulting in an overvote and otherwise complying with the election laws as to marking shall be counted, tallied, and their votes recorded on a tally sheet provided by the election official in charge of the election.

    • Damaged or Defective Ballots

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

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

    or

  • (c) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used.

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

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

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

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

10 ILCS 5/24A-10.1 — In-Precinct Counting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 ILCS 5/24A-11 — Proceedings at the Location for Central Counting

All proceedings at the location for central counting shall be under the direction of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be.

Composition of Employees at Central Counting

Except for any specially trained technicians required for the operation of the automatic tabulating equipment, the employees at the counting station shall be equally divided between members of the 2 leading political parties and all duties performed by such employees shall be by teams consisting of an equal number of members of each political party.

Approval By Political Parties of Employees Representing the Party at Central Counting

Thirty days before an election the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall submit to the chair of each political party, for his approval or disapproval, a list of persons of his party proposed to be employed. If a chair fails to notify the election authority of his disapproval of any proposed employee within a period of 10 days thereafter the list shall be deemed approved.

10 ILCS 5/24A-13 — Insuring the Security of the Vote

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

Pollwatchers at Central Counting

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

Recording Changes Made At Central Counting

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

• 1. Alterations made to programs associated with the vote counting process;
• 2. if applicable, console messages relating to the program and the respective responses made by the operator;
• 3. the starting time for each precinct counted, the number of cards counted for each precinct, any equipment problems and, insofar as practicable, the number of invalid security punches encountered during that count; and
• 4. changes and repairs made to the equipment during the vote tabulation and canvass.

The Computer Operator's Log

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

10 ILCS 5/24A-14 — Damaged Ballots

If any ballot is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate copy shall be made of the damaged ballot in the presence of witnesses and substituted for the damaged ballot. Likewise, a duplicate ballot shall be made of a defective ballot which shall not include the invalid votes. All duplicate ballots shall be clearly labeled "duplicate", shall bear a serial number which shall be registered on the damaged or defective ballot, and shall be counted in lieu of the damaged or defective ballot.

10 ILCS 5/24A-15 — Precinct Returns

The precinct return printed by the automatic tabulating equipment shall include the number of ballots cast and votes cast for each candidate and proposition and shall constitute the official return of each precinct. In addition to the precinct return, the election authority shall provide the number of applications for ballots in each precinct, the write-in votes, the total number of ballots counted in each precinct for each political subdivision and district and the number of registered voters in each precinct. However, the election authority shall check the totals shown by the precinct return and, if there is an obvious discrepancy with respect to the total number of votes cast in any precinct, shall have the ballots for such precinct retabulated to correct the return.

Retabulation

The procedures for retabulation shall apply prior to and after the proclamation is completed; however, after the proclamation of results, the election authority must obtain a court order to unseal voted ballots except for election contests and discovery recounts.

In-Precinct Certificate of Results

In those election jurisdictions that utilize in-precinct counting equipment, the certificate of results, which has been prepared by the judges of election after the ballots have been tabulated, shall be the document used for the canvass of votes for such precinct.

Discrepancies

Whenever a discrepancy exists during the canvass of votes between the unofficial results and the certificate of results, or whenever a discrepancy exists during the canvass of votes between the certificate of results and the set of totals which has been affixed to such certificate of results, the ballots for such precinct shall be retabulated to correct the return. As an additional part of this check prior to the proclamation, in those jurisdictions where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, the election authority shall retabulate the total number of votes cast in 5% of the precincts within the election jurisdiction, as well as 5% of the voting devices used in early voting. The precincts and the voting devices to be retabulated shall be selected after election day on a random basis by the State Board of Elections, so that every precinct in the election jurisdiction and every voting device used in early voting has an equal mathematical chance of being selected. The State Board of Elections shall design a standard and scientific random method of selecting the precincts and voting devices which are to be retabulated. The State central committee chair of each established political party shall be given prior written notice of the time and place of such random selection procedure and may be represented at such procedure. Such retabulation shall consist of counting the ballot cards which were originally counted and shall not involve any determination as to which ballot cards were, in fact, properly counted. The ballots from the precincts selected for such retabulation shall remain at all times under the custody and control of the election authority and shall be transported and retabulated by the designated staff of the election authority.

As part of such retabulation, the election authority shall test the computer program in the selected precincts and on the selected early voting devices. Such test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so punched so as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each public question, and shall include for each office one or more ballots which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the equipment to reject such votes. If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count shall be made prior to the official canvass and proclamation of election results.

The State Board of Elections, the State's Attorney and other appropriate law enforcement agencies, the county chair of each established political party and qualified civic organizations shall be given prior written notice of the time and place of such retabulation and may be represented at such retabulation.

The results of this retabulation shall be treated in the same manner and have the same effect as the results of the discovery procedures set forth in Section 22-9.1. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Act. Upon completion of the retabulation, the election authority shall print a comparison of the results of the retabulation with the original precinct return printed by the automatic tabulating equipment. Such comparison shall be done for each precinct and for each early voting device selected for testing and for each office voted upon within that precinct or on that voting device, and the comparisons shall be open to the public.

10 ILCS 5/24A-15.01 — Completion of Retabulation

Upon completion of the tabulation and retabulation of votes pursuant to Sections 24A-11 through 24A-15, the ballots from each precinct shall be replaced in the container in which they were transported to the central counting station. If such container is not a type which may be securely locked, then each such container - before being transferred from the counting station to storage - shall be sealed with filament tape wrapped around such container lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, and in such manner that the ballots cannot be removed from the container without breaking the tape.

10 ILCS 5/24A-15.1 — Recounts & Election Contests

Except as herein provided, discovery recounts and election contests shall be conducted as otherwise provided for in this Code. The automatic tabulating equipment shall be tested prior to the discovery recount or election contest as provided in Section 24A-9, and then the official ballots or ballot cards shall be recounted on the automatic tabulating equipment.

In addition,

• (1) the ballot or ballot cards shall be checked for the presence or absence of judges' initials and other distinguishing marks, and
• (2) the ballots marked "Rejected", "Defective", "Objected to", "Vote by Mail Ballot", and "Early Ballot" shall be examined to determine the propriety of the labels, and
• (3) the "Duplicate Vote by Mail Ballots", "Duplicate Early Ballots", "Duplicate Overvoted Ballots", and "Duplicate Damaged Ballots" shall be compared with their respective originals to determine the correctness of the duplicates.

Any person who has filed a petition for discovery recount may request that a redundant count be conducted in those precincts in which the discovery recount is being conducted. The additional costs of such a redundant count shall be borne by the requesting party.

The log of the computer operator and all materials retained by the election authority in relation to vote tabulation and canvass shall be made available for any discovery recount or election contest.

10 ILCS 5/24A-16 — Approval of Voting Systems

State Board of Elections shall approve all voting systems provided by this Article.

No voting system shall be approved unless it fulfills the following requirements:

• (1) It enables a voter to vote in absolute secrecy;
• (2) (Blank);
• (3) It enables a voter to vote a ticket selected in part from the nominees of one party, and in part from the nominees of any or all parties, and in part from independent candidates and in part of candidates whose names are written in by the voter;
• (4) It enables a voter to vote a written or printed ticket of his own selection for any person for any office for whom he may desire to vote;
• (5) It will reject all votes for an office or upon a proposition when the voter has cast more votes for such office or upon such proposition than he is entitled to cast;
• (5.5) It will identify when a voter has not voted for all statewide constitutional offices;
• (6) It will accommodate all propositions to be submitted to the voters in the form provided by law or, where no such form is provided, then in brief form, not to exceed 75 words;
• (7) It will accommodate the tabulation programming requirements of Sections 24A-6.2, 24B-6.2, and 24C-6.2.

The State Board of Elections shall not approve any voting equipment or system that includes an external Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communications port.

The State Board of Elections is authorized to withdraw its approval of a voting system if the system fails to fulfill the above requirements.

The vendor, person, or other private entity shall be solely responsible for the production and cost of: all application fees; all ballots; additional temporary workers; and other equipment or facilities needed and used in the testing of the vendor's, person's, or other private entity's respective equipment and software.

Any voting system vendor, person, or other private entity seeking the State Board of Elections' approval of a voting system shall, as part of the approval application, submit to the State Board a non-refundable fee. The State Board of Elections by rule shall establish an appropriate fee structure, taking into account the type of voting system approval that is requested (such as approval of a new system, a modification of an existing system, the size of the modification, etc.). No voting system or modification of a voting system shall be approved unless the fee is paid.

No vendor, person, or other entity may sell, lease, or loan, or have a written contract, including a contract contingent upon State Board approval of the voting system or voting system component, to sell, lease, or loan, a voting system or voting system component to any election jurisdiction unless the voting system or voting system component is first approved by the State Board of Elections pursuant to this Section.

10 ILCS 5/24A-17 — State Board of Elections Rules

State Board of Elections may make reasonable rules for the administration of this Article and may prescribe the number of voting booths required for the various types of voting systems.

10 ILCS 5/24A-18 — Specimen Ballot

When an electronic voting system is used, the election authority shall cause to be published, at least 5 days before the day of each general and general primary election, in 2 or more newspapers published in and having a general circulation in the county, a true and legible copy of the specimen ballot label containing the names of offices and candidates and statements of measures to be voted on, as near as may be, in the form in which they will appear on the official ballot label on election day. Such true legible copy may be in the form of an actual size ballot label booklet and shall be published as required by this section if distributed in 2 or more newspapers published in and having a general circulation in the county as an insert thereto. For each election prescribed in Article 2A of this Code, such specimen ballots shall be made available for public distribution and shall be supplied to the judges of election for posting in the polling place on the day of election. Notice for the nonpartisan and consolidated elections shall be given as provided in Article 12.

10 ILCS 5/24A-20 — State Board Testing of Electronic Ballot Forms Using Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems

The State Board of Elections may test direct recording electronic voting systems. Testing by the State Board of Elections shall include the operation of direct recording electronic voting systems during a mock voting procedure and during a mock contested election in which ballots are objected to or recounted. The State Board of Elections shall certify to the General Assembly the results of any tests it performs under this Section. Notwithstanding the results of the State Board of Elections test and its certification to the General Assembly, nothing in this Section shall authorize the use of a direct recording electronic voting system unless further authorized by the General Assembly.

10 ILCS 5/24A-22 — 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.