Chapter 3.34
BALLOT COUNTING PROCEDURES
Sections:
3.34.010 Commencement of ballot count.
3.34.020 General procedure for ballot accountability in special City elections.
3.34.040 Disqualified candidate.
3.34.050 Determination of tie votes.
3.34.060 Other ballot counting systems authorized.
3.34.010 Commencement of ballot count.
A. Regular Elections. In optical scan or other computer read or electronic ballot precincts, when the polls have closed and the last vote has been cast, the election board shall immediately transmit election results to the Borough Clerk following the written instructions provided to each precinct. Once the election results have been transmitted, the election board shall open the ballot box and place all ballots in the tamper proof containers provided. The election board shall remove all questioned ballots and place them in the container provided. The election board shall proceed with the ballot accountability and poll closing procedures provided by the City Clerk.
B. Special City Elections. When the polls have closed and the last vote has been cast, the election board shall immediately hand count the ballots as prescribed by the City Clerk. (Ord. 05-09 § 2, 2005)
3.34.020 General procedure for ballot accountability in special City elections.
The City Clerk may issue rules prescribing the manner in which the precinct ballot count is accomplished so as to assure accuracy in the count and to expedite the process. The election board shall account for all ballots by completing a ballot statement containing: (A) the number of official ballots received; (B) the number of official ballots voted; (C) the number of official ballots spoiled; (D) the number of official ballots unused and destroyed. The board shall count the number of questioned ballots and shall compare that number to the number of questioned voters in the register. Discrepancies shall be noted and the numbers included in the certificate prescribed by the City Clerk. (Ord. 05-09 § 2, 2005)
3.34.030 Write-in votes.
A. Write-in votes are not invalidated by writing in the name of a candidate whose name is printed on the ballot unless the election board determines, on the basis of other evidence, that the ballot was so marked for the purpose of identifying the ballot.
B. In order to vote for a write-in candidate, the voter must write in the candidate’s name in the space provided and, in addition, fill in the oval opposite the candidate’s name.
C. Stickers may not be used. Use of stickers can cause that portion of the ballot to be invalidated.
D. Write-in votes shall only be tabulated by person if the total number of write-in votes for an office exceeds the smallest number of votes cast for a candidate for that office whose name is printed on the ballot. For special City elections write-in votes shall be tabulated by person. (Ord. 05-09 § 2, 2005)
3.34.040 Disqualified candidate.
Votes cast for a candidate who is disqualified shall not be counted for any purpose. (Ord. 05-09 § 2, 2005)
3.34.050 Determination of tie votes.
A. If two or more candidates tie in having the highest number of votes for the same office for which there is to be elected only one candidate, the City Clerk shall so notify the candidates who are tied. The City Clerk shall immediately proceed with the recount of votes in the manner provided by this title.
B. If there is still a failure to elect because of a tie vote after completion of the recount, the election shall be determined fairly, by lot, from among the candidates tying, in a meeting of the Council and under its direction. After the determination has been made by lot, the Council shall certify the result. (Ord. 05-09 § 2, 2005)
3.34.060 Other ballot counting systems authorized.
Nothing in this title prohibits the use of other ballot counting systems, which have been approved for use in State elections. The City Clerk, subject to any further approval as may be required by law, may prescribe rules for the use of these systems or may adopt such rules, regulations and procedures as have been adopted for use in State elections. (Ord. 05-09 § 2, 2005)