Sec.9-242a-8. Voting tabulator and ballots delivered to polls

(a) If the tabulator is stored at a central location after inspection and test voting pursuant to 9-242a-5, two election officials of different parties assigned to each polling place shall arrive one and a half hours before the polls open on election day at the location where the tabulator has been stored to receive the tabulator and a number of ballots sufficient for three hours operation for their polling place from the registrars of voters, if such ballots have not already been delivered to the polling place. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the election officials from employing individuals who are not sworn election officials to assist in the transportation of the voting tabulators and ballots as long as such individuals are accompanied by and under the direct supervision of the two election officials. (b) If the tabulator is to be stored at a location other than a central location after inspection and test voting pursuant to 9-242a-5, two election officials of different parties shall appear before the registrars of voters at the central long-term storage location at times determined by the registrars of voters to receive the tabulator and a number of ballots sufficient for three hours operation for their polling place and shall immediately transport the tabulator and materials to the alternate, secure, short-term storage location for storage until the opening of the polls on election day. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the election officials from employing individuals who are not sworn election officials to assist in the transportation of the voting tabulators and ballots as long as such individuals are accompanied by and under the direct supervision of the two election officials. (c) If the election officials have not previously been sworn in, the oath for polling place officials shall be administered by the registrars or moderator. The election officials shall examine the label on the tabulator to ensure that it is the correct tabulator for their polling place. Without opening the inner seal of any ballot package, the election officials shall ensure that the ballots are the correct ones for their polling place and shall give the registrar of voters a receipt for the tabulator and the number of ballot packages received. The election officials shall transport the unopened ballots and tabulator directly to their polling place not later than thirty minutes before the polls open or to the short term storage location before the election and then to the polls on election day, whichever is applicable. Once at the polls, they shall immediately deliver the unopened ballots and tabulator to the moderator who shall give the election officials a receipt and shall keep a copy for his records. Any function in this subsection may be performed by one police officer instead of two election officials. For the purposes of this regulation any storage location used, either long term or short term, shall have the following characteristics, (1) the location shall remain locked at all times; (2) access to such location shall be exclusively controlled by the registrars of voters; (3) Access shall only be granted to such location for the purpose of machine programming, maintenance, testing or set-up; and (4) the secure short-term storage location may only be used for storage after adjustment and programming of the machines has taken place pursuant to 9-242a-4 and until the close of the polls on election day.

(Adopted effective October 1, 1999; Amended March 27, 2008)