(10 ILCS 5/Art. 24B heading)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-1)
Sec. 24B-1. Purpose. The purpose of this Article is to authorize the use of Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting systems approved by the State Board of Elections. In using Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology, the voters or precinct judges record votes by means of inserting marked ballots in scanning and tabulating machines, which machines have voting defect identification capability, and are so designed that ballots will be counted by such machines at one or more counting places. This Article does not apply to voting systems without voting defect identification technology capability. This Article authorizes the use of Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting systems for both central counting and in-precinct counting applications.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-2)
Sec. 24B-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" means paper ballot sheets.
"Ballot configuration" means the particular combination of political subdivision ballots including, for each political subdivision, the particular combination of offices, candidate names and questions as it appears for each group of voters who may cast the same ballot.
"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 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.
"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 the 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.
"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 that examines, counts, tabulates, canvasses and prints votes recorded by a voter on a ballot.
"Edit listing" means a computer generated listing of the names of each candidate and proposition as they appear in the program for each precinct.
"Header sheet" means a data processing document which is coded to indicate to the computer the precinct identity of the ballots that will follow immediately and may indicate to the computer how such ballots are to be tabulated.
"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.
"Marking device" means a pen, computer, or other device approved by the State Board of Elections for marking, or causing to be marked, a paper ballot with ink or other substance which will enable the ballot to be tabulated by automatic tabulating equipment or by an electronic scanning process.
"Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology" means the capability to examine a ballot through electronic means and tabulate the votes at one or more counting places.
"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 designation" means a printed designation placed on a ballot 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.
"Separate ballot", with respect to ballot sheets, means a separate portion of the ballot sheet which is clearly defined by a border or borders or shading.
"Specimen ballot" means a representation of names of offices and candidates and statements of measures to be voted on which will appear on the official ballot or marking device on election day. The specimen ballot also contains the party and position number where applicable.
"Voting defect identification" means the capability to detect overvoted ballots or ballots which cannot be read by the automatic tabulating equipment.
"Voting defects" means an overvoted ballot, or a ballot which cannot be read by the automatic tabulating equipment.
"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.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-3)
Sec. 24B-3. Adoption, experimentation or abandonment of Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology system; Boundaries of precincts; Notice. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, any county board, board of county commissioners and any board of election commissioners, with respect to territory within its jurisdiction, may adopt, experiment with, or abandon a Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system approved for use by the State Board of Elections and may use the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system in all or some of the precincts within its jurisdiction, or in combination with paper ballots or voting machines. Any county board, board of county commissioners or board of election commissioners may contract for the tabulation of votes at a location outside its territorial jurisdiction when there is no suitable tabulating equipment available within its territorial jurisdiction. In no case may a county board, board of county commissioners or board of election commissioners contract or arrange for the purchase, lease or loan of an electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system or Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system component without the approval of the State Board of Elections as provided by Section 24B-16. However, the county board and board of county commissioners of each county having a population of 40,000 or more, with respect to all elections for which the county board or the county clerk is charged with the duty of providing materials and supplies, and each board of election commissioners in a municipality having a population of 40,000 or more, with respect to elections under its jurisdiction, must provide either Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting systems approved for use by the State Board of Elections under this Article or voting systems under Article 24A or Article 24 for each precinct for all such elections except as provided in Section 24-1.2. For purposes of this Section 24B-3, the term "population" does not include persons prohibited from voting by Section 3-5 of this Code.
Before any such Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology system is introduced, adopted or used in any precinct or territory at least 2 months public notice must be given before the date of the first election where the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system is to be used. The election authority shall publish the notice at least once in one or more newspapers published within the county, or other jurisdiction, where the election is held. If there is no such newspaper, the notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the county and having a general circulation within such jurisdiction. The notice shall be substantially as follows:
Notice is hereby given that on (give date), at (give place where election is held) in the county of ...., an election will be held for (give name of offices to be filled) at which a Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology electronic voting system will be used.
Dated at.... on (insert date).
This notice referred to shall be given only at the first election at which the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting machines or Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting systems are used.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-3.1)
Sec. 24B-3.1. Retention or consolidation or alteration of existing precincts; Change of location. When a Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology 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 to change the number of registered voters of the precincts using the electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system, establishing the number of registered voters within each precinct at a number not to exceed 800 as the appropriate county board or board of election commissioners determines will afford adequate voting facilities and efficient and economical elections.
Except in the event of a fire, flood or total loss of heat in a place fixed or established pursuant to law by any county board or board of election commissioners as a polling place for an election, no election authority shall change the location of a polling place 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 the notice to be received by the registered voters in the precinct at least one day prior to the date of the election.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-4)
Sec. 24B-4. Use of Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology System; Requisites; Applicable procedure. Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting systems may be used in elections provided that the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology systems enable the voter to cast a vote for all offices and on all measures on which he or she is entitled to vote, and that the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment may be set to return any ballot sheet on which the number of votes for an office or proposition exceeds the number of votes which the voter is entitled to cast, or any ballot sheet which cannot be read by the automatic tabulating equipment, 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 Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology electronic voting systems are used. However, the provisions of this Article 24B will govern when there are conflicts.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-5)
Sec. 24B-5. Voting Booths. In precincts where an electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system is used, a sufficient number of voting booths shall be provided for the use of the 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 booth shall be placed so that the entrance to each booth faces a wall in a manner that no judge of election or pollwatcher is able to observe a voter casting a ballot.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-5.1)
Sec. 24B-5.1. Instruction of Voters; Instruction Model; Partiality to Political Party; Manner of Instruction. Before entering the voting booth each voter shall be offered instruction in the marking of the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology ballot sheet. 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 or her vote for any particular ticket, candidate, amendment, question or proposition. All instructions shall be given by precinct officials in a manner that it may be observed by other persons in the polling place.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97; 89-700, eff. 1-17-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-5.2)
Sec. 24B-5.2. Demonstrator Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology Electronic Voting System; Placement in Public Library. When an electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system is used in a forthcoming election, the election authority may provide, for the purpose of instructing voters in the election, one demonstrator electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system for placement in any public library within the political subdivision where the election occurs. If the placement of a demonstrator takes place it shall be made available at least 30 days before the election.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-6)
Sec. 24B-6. Ballot Information; Arrangement; Electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology Voting System; Vote by Mail Ballots; Spoiled Ballots. The ballot information, shall, as far as practicable, be in the order of arrangement provided for paper ballots, except that the information may be in vertical or horizontal rows, or on a number of separate pages or displays on the marking device. Ballots for all questions or propositions to be voted on should be provided in a similar manner and must be arranged on the ballot sheet or marking device in the places provided for such purposes. Ballots shall be of white paper unless provided otherwise by administrative rule of the State Board of Elections or otherwise specified.
All propositions, including but not limited to propositions calling for a constitutional convention, constitutional amendment, judicial retention, and public measures to be voted upon shall be placed on separate portions of the ballot sheet or marking device by utilizing borders or grey screens. Candidates shall be listed on a separate portion of the ballot sheet or marking device by utilizing borders or grey screens. 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 or lines on which the voter may select a write-in candidate shall be printed below the name of the last candidate nominated for such office. Such line or lines shall be proximate to an area provided for marking votes for the write-in candidate or candidates. 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 that candidate, up to the number of candidates for which a voter may vote. In the case of write-in lines for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, 2 lines shall be printed within a bracket and a single square shall be printed in front of the bracket. More than one amendment to the constitution may be placed on the same portion of the ballot sheet or marking device. Constitutional convention or constitutional amendment propositions shall be printed or displayed on a separate portion of the ballot sheet or marking device and designated by borders or grey screens, unless otherwise provided by administrative rule of the State Board of Elections. More than one public measure or proposition may be placed on the same portion of the ballot sheet or marking device. More than one proposition for retention of judges in office may be placed on the same portion of the ballot sheet or marking device. Names of candidates shall be printed in black. The party affiliation of each candidate or the word "independent" shall appear near or under the candidate's name, and the names of candidates for the same office shall be listed vertically under the title of that office, on separate pages of the marking device, or as otherwise approved by the State Board of Elections. 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 nonpartisan candidates shall not include any party or "independent" designation. Judicial retention questions and ballot questions for all public measures and other propositions shall be designated by borders or grey screens on the ballot or marking device. In primary elections, a separate ballot, or displays on the marking device, shall be used for each political party holding a primary, with the ballot or marking device arranged to include names of the candidates of the party and public measures and other propositions to be voted upon on the day of the primary election.
If the ballot 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 ballot or displays on the marking device in sections for "Candidates" and "Propositions", or separate ballots may be used.
Vote by Mail ballots may consist of envelopes, paper ballots, or ballot sheets. Where a Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology ballot is used for voting by mail it must be accompanied by voter instructions.
Any voter who spoils his or her ballot, makes an error, or has a ballot returned by the automatic tabulating equipment may return the ballot to the judges of election and get another ballot.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-6.1)
Sec. 24B-6.1. Ballots; Security Designation; Header Cards; Precinct Programs. In all elections conducted under this Article, ballots shall have a security designation. In precincts where more than one ballot configuration may be voted upon, ballots shall have a different security designation for each ballot configuration. If a precinct has only one possible ballot configuration, the ballots must have a security designation to identify the election. Where ballots from more than one precinct are being tabulated, the ballots from each precinct must be clearly identified; official results shall not be generated unless the precinct identification for any precinct corresponds. When the tabulating equipment being used requires entering the program immediately before tabulating the ballots for each precinct, the precinct program may be used.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-6.2)
Sec. 24B-6.2. Programming of automatic tabulating equipment. Beginning with the 2014 general election and all primary, consolidated, general, and special elections thereafter, automatic tabulating equipment authorized by this Section and programmed for a primary, consolidated, general, or special election conducted pursuant to general election law shall be programmed using the unique race and candidate ID numbers assigned by the State Board of Elections. The unique race and candidate ID numbers will be provided to the county clerk or election authority, as the case may be, with the candidate certification prepared by the State Board of Elections. In addition, any new voting system approved by the State after the 2014 general election shall have the capability to export the election results by ballot style and group them by precinct in an electronic format prescribed by the State Board of Elections.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-7)
Sec. 24B-7. Separate Write-In Ballots. Election authorities utilizing Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology shall not use separate write-in ballots. All write-in votes are to be cast on the ballot sheet.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-8)
Sec. 24B-8. Preparation for Use; Comparison of Ballots; Operational Checks of Automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology Tabulating Equipment; Pollwatchers. The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall cause the approved marking devices to be delivered to the polling places. Before the opening of the polls the judges of election shall compare the ballots or displays on the marking device used 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.
In addition, in those polling places where in-precinct Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology counting equipment is utilized, the judges of election shall make an operational check of the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment before the opening of the polls. The judges of election shall ensure that the totals are all zeroes in the count column on the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology unit.
Pollwatchers as provided by law shall be permitted to closely observe the judges in these procedures and to periodically inspect the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment when not in use by the voters.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-9)
Sec. 24B-9. Testing of Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology Equipment and Program; Custody of Programs, Test Materials and Ballots. Prior to the public test, the election authority shall conduct an errorless pre-test of the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment and program and marking device to determine that they will correctly detect Voting Defects and count the votes cast for all offices and all measures. On any day not less than 5 days prior to the election day, the election authority shall publicly test the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment and program to determine that they will correctly detect Voting Defects and 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 before the test by publishing the notice in one or more newspapers within the election jurisdiction of the election authority, if a newspaper is published in that jurisdiction. If a newspaper is not published in that jurisdiction, notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in that jurisdiction. 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 marked 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 having votes exceeding the number allowed by law to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment or marking device to reject the votes. The test shall also include producing an edit listing. In those election jurisdictions where in-precinct counting equipment is used, a public test of both the equipment and program shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the manner prescribed above. The State Board of Elections may select as many election jurisdictions as the Board deems advisable in the interests of the election process of this State, to order a special test of the automatic tabulating equipment and program before any regular election. The Board may order a special test in any election jurisdiction where, during the preceding 12 months, computer programming errors or other errors in the use of electronic voting systems resulted in vote tabulation errors. Not less than 30 days before 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 before 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 sealed until the test is run again on election day. If any error is detected, the cause of the error shall be determined and corrected, and an errorless public test shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment is approved. Each election authority shall file a sealed copy of each tested program to be used within its jurisdiction at an election with the State Board of Elections before 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. At the expiration of that time, if no election contest or appeal is pending in an election jurisdiction, the Board shall destroy the sealed program or programs. Except where in-precinct counting equipment is used, the test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official counting 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. Immediately after the re-run, all material used in testing the program and the programs 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 ballots, together with all unused ballots returned from the precincts. Provided, if any contest of election is pending at the time in which the ballots may be required as evidence and the election authority has notice of the contest, the same shall not be destroyed until after the contest is finally determined. If the use of back-up equipment becomes necessary, the same testing required for the original equipment shall be conducted.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 94-1000, eff. 7-3-06.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-9.1)
Sec. 24B-9.1. Examination of Votes by Electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology Scanning Process or other authorized electronic process; definition of a vote.
(a) Examination of Votes by Electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology Scanning Process. Whenever a Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology process is used 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, or causing a mark to be made, 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, and not an identifying mark.
(b) For any ballot sheet that does not register a vote for one or more ballot positions on the ballot sheet on a Electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology Scanning Process, the following shall constitute a vote on the ballot sheet:
(c) For other electronic voting systems that use a computer as the marking device to mark a ballot sheet, the bar code found on the ballot sheet shall constitute the votes found on the ballot. If, however, the county clerk or board of election commissioners determines that the votes represented by the tally on the bar code for one or more ballot positions is inconsistent with the votes represented by numerical ballot positions identified on the ballot sheet produced using a computer as the marking device, then the numerical ballot positions identified on the ballot sheet shall constitute the votes for purposes of any official canvass or recount proceeding. An electronic voting system that uses a computer as the marking device to mark a ballot sheet shall be capable of producing a ballot sheet that contains all numerical ballot positions selected by the voter, and provides a place for the voter to cast a write-in vote for a candidate for a particular numerical ballot position.
(d) The election authority shall provide an envelope, sleeve or other device to each voter so the voter can deliver the voted ballot sheet to the counting equipment and ballot box without the votes indicated on the ballot sheet being visible to other persons in the polling place.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-10)
Sec. 24B-10. Receiving, counting, tallying and return of ballots; acceptance of ballots by election authority.
(a) In an election jurisdiction which has adopted an electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology 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:
(b) Regardless of which procedure described in subsection (a) of this Section is used, the judges of election designated to transport the ballots properly signed and sealed, 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 (a) of this Section until the judges transporting the ballots 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 ballots 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 the ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-10.1)
Sec. 24B-10.1. In-Precinct Counting Equipment; Procedures for Counting and Tallying Ballots. In an election jurisdiction where Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology counting equipment is used, the following procedures for counting and tallying the ballots shall apply:
Before the opening of the polls, and before the ballots are entered into the automatic tabulating equipment, the judges of election shall be sure that the totals are all zeros in the counting column. Ballots may then be counted by entering or scanning each ballot into the automatic tabulating equipment. Throughout the election day and before the closing of the polls, no person may check any vote totals for any candidate or proposition on the automatic tabulating equipment. Such automatic tabulating equipment shall be programmed so that no person may reset the equipment for refeeding of ballots unless provided a code from an authorized representative of the election authority. At the option of the election authority, the ballots may be fed into the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment by the voters under the direct supervision of the judges of elections.
Immediately after the closing of the polls, the precinct judges of election shall open the ballot box and count the number of ballots to determine if the number agrees with the number of voters voting as shown on the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment and by the applications for ballot or, if the same do not agree, the judges of election shall make the ballots agree with the applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Code. The judges of election shall then examine all ballots which are in the ballot box to determine whether the ballots contain the initials of a 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 judges immediately under the word "Defective" and not counted. The judges of election shall place an initialed blank official ballot in the place of the defective ballot, so that the count of the ballots to be counted on the automatic tabulating equipment will be the same, and each "Defective Ballot" and "Replacement" ballot shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, beginning with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The original "Defective" ballot shall be placed in the "Defective Ballot Envelope" provided for that purpose.
If the judges of election have removed a ballot pursuant to Section 17-18, have labeled "Defective" a ballot which is not initialed, or have otherwise determined under this Code to not count a ballot originally deposited into a ballot box, the judges of election shall be sure that the totals on the automatic tabulating equipment are reset to all zeros in the counting column. Thereafter the judges of election shall enter or otherwise scan each ballot to be counted in the automatic tabulating equipment. Resetting the automatic tabulating equipment to all zeros and re-entering of ballots to be counted may occur at the precinct polling place, the office of the election authority, or any receiving station designated by the election authority. The election authority shall designate the place for resetting and re-entering or re-scanning.
When a Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology electronic voting system is used which uses a paper ballot, the judges of election shall examine the ballot 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 to determine whether the write-in results in an overvote for any office, unless the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment has already done so. 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 except for the office which is overvoted, by using the ballot of the precinct and one of the marking devices, or equivalent ballot, of the precinct so as to transfer all votes of the voter, except for the office overvoted, to a duplicate ballot. The original ballot 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, beginning with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The "Overvoted Ballot" shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballot" envelope, and the judges of election shall initial the "Replacement" ballots and shall place them with the other ballots to be counted on the automatic tabulating equipment.
If any ballot is damaged or defective, or if any ballot contains a Voting Defect, so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the voter or 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 by using the ballot of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct, or equivalent. If a damaged ballot, the original ballot shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot so produced shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot so produced shall be clearly labeled "Duplicate Damaged Ballot", and each shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed by the judges of election, beginning 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 and shall enter or otherwise scan the duplicate damaged ballot into the automatic tabulating equipment. The "Damaged Ballots" shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope; after all ballots have been successfully read, the judges of election shall check to make certain that the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment readout agrees with 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 copy 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 ballots and enter the number on the "Statement of Ballots". All "Spoiled", "Defective" and "Duplicated" ballots 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 or other approved sealing devices provided for the purpose which shall be wrapped around the container lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, in a manner that the ballots cannot be removed from the container without breaking the seal and filament tape and disturbing any signatures affixed by the election judges to the container, or which other approved sealing devices are affixed in a manner approved by the election authority. The election authority shall keep the office of the election authority or any receiving stations designated by the 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 ballots make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots by the election authority, the judges returning the ballots shall take a receipt signed by the election authority and stamped with the time and date of the return. The election judges whose duty it is to return any ballots as provided shall, in the event the ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided. The precinct judges of election shall also deliver the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment to the election authority.
(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05; 94-1000, eff. 7-3-06; 95-699, eff. 11-9-07.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-11)
Sec. 24B-11. Proceedings at location for central counting; employees; approval of list. All proceedings at the location for central counting shall be under the direction of the county clerk or board of election commissioners. Except for any specially trained technicians required for the operation of the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology 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 the employees shall be by teams consisting of an equal number of members of each political party. Thirty days before an election the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall submit to the chair of each political party, for his or her approval or disapproval, a list of persons of his or her party proposed to be employed. If a chair fails to notify the election authority of his or her disapproval of any proposed employee within a period of 10 days thereafter the list shall be deemed approved.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-13)
Sec. 24B-13. Tabulating Votes; Direction; Presence of Public; Computer Operator's Log and Canvass. The procedure for tabulating the votes by the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment shall be under the direction of the election authority and shall conform to the requirements of the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment. During any election-related activity using the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment, the election authority shall make a reasonable effort to dedicate the equipment to vote processing to ensure the security and integrity of the system.
A reasonable number of pollwatchers shall be admitted to the counting location. Persons may observe the tabulating process at the discretion of the election authority; however, at least one representative of each established political party and authorized agents of the State Board of Elections shall be permitted to observe this process at all times. No persons except those employed and authorized for the purpose shall touch any ballot, ballot box, return, or equipment.
The computer operator 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:
The computer operator's log and canvass shall be available for public inspection in the office of the election authority for a period of 60 days following the proclamation of election results. A copy of the computer operator's log and the canvass shall be transmitted to the State Board of Elections upon its request and at its expense.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-14)
Sec. 24B-14. Damaged Ballots; Duplicates. If any ballot is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology 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.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-15)
Sec. 24B-15. Official return of precinct; check of totals; retabulation. The precinct return printed by the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology 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 regarding the total number of votes cast in any precinct, shall have the ballots for that precinct retabulated to correct the return. 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 those election jurisdictions that use 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. 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 the certificate of results, the ballots for that 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 used, 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 the random selection procedure and may be represented at the procedure. The retabulation shall consist of counting the ballots which were originally counted and shall not involve any determination of which ballots were, in fact, properly counted. The ballots from the precincts selected for the 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 the retabulation, the election authority shall test the computer program in the selected precincts and on the selected early voting devices. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots marked 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 to test the ability of the equipment and the marking device to reject such votes. If any error is detected, the cause shall be determined 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 the retabulation and may be represented at the 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 of this Code. 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. The 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. Upon completion of the retabulation, the returns shall be open to the public.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-15.01)
Sec. 24B-15.01. Transporting Ballots to Central Counting Station; Container. Upon completion of the tabulation and retabulation of votes pursuant to Sections 24B-11 through 24B-15, the ballots from each precinct shall be replaced in the container in which they were transported to the central counting station. If the container is not a type which may be securely locked, then each container, before being transferred from the counting station to storage, shall be sealed with filament tape wrapped around the container lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, and in a manner that the ballots cannot be removed from the container without breaking the tape.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-15.1)
Sec. 24B-15.1. Discovery recounts and election contests. Except as provided, discovery recounts and election contests shall be conducted as otherwise provided for in this Code. The automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment shall be tested prior to the discovery recount or election contest as provided in Section 24B-9, and then the official ballots shall be recounted on the automatic tabulating equipment. In addition, (a) the ballots shall be checked for the presence or absence of judges' initials and other distinguishing marks, and (b) the ballots marked "Rejected", "Defective", "Objected To", "Early Ballot", and "Vote by Mail Ballot" shall be examined to determine the propriety of the labels, and (c) the "Duplicate Vote by Mail Ballots", "Duplicate Overvoted Ballots", "Duplicate Early Ballot", 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 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.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-16)
Sec. 24B-16. Approval of Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology Voting Systems; Requisites. The State Board of Elections shall approve all Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting systems provided by this Article.
No Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system shall be approved unless it fulfills the following requirements:
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 Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology 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 Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology 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.
(Source: P.A. 94-1000, eff. 7-3-06; 95-699, eff. 11-9-07.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-17)
Sec. 24B-17. Rules; Number of Voting Booths. The 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.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-18)
Sec. 24B-18. Specimen Ballots; Publication. When an electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology 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. A true legible copy may be in the form of an actual size ballot and shall be published as required by this Section if distributed in 2 or more newspapers published and having a general circulation in the county as an insert. For each election prescribed in Article 2A of this Code, 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.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-19)
Sec. 24B-19. Additional Method of Voting. The foregoing Sections of this Article shall be deemed to provide a method of voting in addition to the methods otherwise provided in this Code.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24B-20)
Sec. 24B-20. Voting Defect Identification Capabilities. An election authority is required to use the Voting Defect Identification capabilities of the automatic tabulating equipment when used in-precinct, including both the capability of identifying an under-vote and the capability of identifying an over-vote.
(Source: P.A. 95-699, eff. 11-9-07.)