reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AL Code § 11-46-46 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-46 - Delivery of Returns, etc.; Retention and Destruction of Ballot Boxes; Opening of Ballot Boxes.

Section 11-46-46Delivery of returns, etc.; retention and destruction of ballot boxes; opening of ballot boxes. (a) At the time appointed by the municipal governing body to canvass the returns of the election the municipal clerk shall deliver to the governing body the envelopes addressed to the governing body, which were delivered to him or her by the returning officers of the several wards in the city or town immediately after the votes had been counted and the returns thereof prepared. (b) The clerk shall securely keep the ballot boxes until it is known that there will be no contest, but in any event not less than six months, and, if in that time no contest has been properly instituted, the clerk shall then destroy the contents of the boxes without examining the same. (c) No ballot box shall be opened except in one of the following events: (1) In the event of a contest, where the opening of a box has been ordered by the court hearing the contest, in which event the ballot box shall be opened by or under the supervision of the judge ordering the opening of a box and in the manner prescribed by him or her. (2) For the purpose of canvassing the returns and obtaining the result of the election in a particular ward or voting district from the contents of the box when the box has been returned, but no certificate of the result of the election has been separately delivered to the municipal governing body by the election inspectors. If a box is opened for this latter purpose the certificate of result contained therein, if any, and if no certificate of result is enclosed, then any other of the contents of the box, so far as necessary, may be used to determine the result of the election, after which the papers shall be returned into the box and the box shall be resealed in the presence of the municipal governing body, and the box shall then be retained without again opening it for the time prescribed in subsection (b). (3) For the purpose of conducting a recount of the ballots as otherwise allowed by law. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §26; Acts 1980, No. 80-94, p. 140, §7; Act 2003-400, p. 1150, §1; Act 2006-281, p. 496, §1; Act 2010-687, §1.)
AL Code § 11-46-47 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-47 - Delivery, Examination, and Identification of Keys to Voting Machines; Examination of Counters, Ballots, etc.; Certification as to Keys, Counters, and Ballots; Opening of Machines and Polls.

Section 11-46-47Delivery, examination, and identification of keys to voting machines; examination of counters, ballots, etc.; certification as to keys, counters, and ballots; opening of machines and polls. (a) Whenever voting machines are used for municipal elections, the key or keys to the voting machine or machines, still in the envelopes in which they were placed when the machines were sealed for this election pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 11-46-33 and with the seals thereof unbroken and all other necessary election supplies shall be delivered to the inspector of each poll at least 30 minutes before the time for opening the polls. The inspector shall compare the number appearing on the envelope containing the key or keys with the number shown in the protective counter, and, if these numbers are not identical, he shall not break the seal on the envelope containing the keys, and he shall immediately so notify the municipal clerk or his representative, who shall immediately deliver the correct key or keys or another properly sealed machine. If the numbers on the envelope and the respective numbers on the seal and on the protective counter are found to be the same, the inspectors shall open the door concealing the counters. (b) Before the polls are declared open the election officials and each authorized watcher or any interested person shall carefully examine each and every counter and see that it registers zero and shall examine the ballots and satisfy themselves that the ballots are in their proper place on the machine. The election officials shall post the sample ballots and the model for the guidance of voters at conspicuous points about the polling place. All persons authorized to be in the polling place shall satisfy themselves that the voting machine is properly placed and that the face of the machine is turned so that the election officials and the public may obtain a clear and unobstructed view of the same at all times except when the curtain on the machine is closed for the casting of the ballot. (c) The election officials and at least two watchers of opposing interests (if any there shall be) shall then sign a certificate setting out that the keys were delivered intact, that the numbers on the protective counter and seal correspond with that on the envelope, that all the counters were set at zero and that the ballot labels were in their proper places. If any counter, however, does not register zero, the inspector shall summon the custodian of the machine, who shall set the counter back to zero. (d) The machine shall then be opened for voting and the polls formally declared open. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §27.)
AL Code § 11-46-48 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-48 - Provision of Election Materials and Supplies; Preparation of Lighting Facilities; Posting and Placement of Diagrams and Models.

Section 11-46-48Provision of election materials and supplies; preparation of lighting facilities; posting and placement of diagrams and models. The municipal clerk shall furnish and deliver with each voting machine: Lighting facilities which shall give sufficient light to enable voters while in the voting machine booth to read the ballot labels and suitable for the use of election officers in examining the counters; a model and two diagrams or sample ballots of suitable size, representing such part of the face of such voting machine as will be in use in the election, and accompanied by directions for voting on the machine; a seal or seals for sealing the machine after the polls are closed; an envelope for the return of the keys, if the construction of the voting machine shall permit their separate return; and such other election materials and supplies as may be necessary. The lighting facilities above mentioned shall be prepared and in good order for use before the opening of the polls. The diagrams shall be posted prominently outside the voting booth for the instruction of electors. The model shall be placed in the polling place and at or outside the guard rail or barrier. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §28.)
AL Code § 11-46-49 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-49 - Election Officers for Voting Machines; Duties.

Section 11-46-49Election officers for voting machines; duties. (a) At all elections where voting machines are used, there shall be the following election officers for each voting machine: An inspector, a chief clerk, and a first and a second assistant clerk; except, in the event voting centers are established, then the requirements of Section 11-46-24 shall control the number of election officials. (b) The inspector shall be in general charge of the poll, shall see that the counter compartments of the machine are never unlocked or opened so that the counters are exposed during voting, shall see that the other election officers perform the duties imposed on them by this section, shall keep a record of all voters at such machine who received assistance pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 11-46-51, and all other records required by this article, and immediately after the polls have closed and the statement of the returns has been made, shall deliver such statement and the key or keys to the machine to the municipal clerk. He shall also act as challenger. (c) The chief clerk shall examine the list of qualified electors and check off the names of voters which appear thereon as they vote. (d) The first assistant clerk shall attend the poll list and see that each voter signs his name thereon in the order in which he votes. (e) The second assistant clerk shall attend the voting machine at all times and see that it is not tampered with. He shall also inspect the ballot labels at frequent intervals to see that none have been tampered with and that the machine has not been injured. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §29; Acts 1976, No. 358, p. 403, §14.)
AL Code § 11-46-50 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-50 - Identification of Voters Where Voting Machines Used; Voting Procedure; Assistance of Voters; Provisional Ballot.

Section 11-46-50Identification of voters where voting machines used; voting procedure; assistance of voters; provisional ballot. (a) The election officials, where voting machines are used, shall ascertain whether each applicant to vote is entitled to vote, and each applicant found to be entitled to vote shall be permitted to vote in the manner provided in this article. Each applicant to vote shall identify himself or herself to the chief clerk, who shall examine the list of qualified electors furnished by the municipal clerk and, if such voter's name appears on such list, the chief clerk shall mark the applicant's name off the list. The applicant, unless unable to write his or her own name because of physical handicap or illiteracy, shall then sign his or her name on the poll list on the line numbered to indicate the order in which the voters cast their ballots, and the clerk shall record the voter's name on a second poll list on the line numbered to indicate the order in which the voter cast his or her ballot. Thereafter, the voter shall be admitted within the voting machine booth and permitted to vote. (b) If the applicant is unable to sign his or her name because of physical disability or illiteracy, his or her name shall be written for him or her in the manner prescribed in subsection (e) of Section 11-46-39 for the writing of names of voters on the poll list at polls where paper ballots are used. (c) If the applicant's name is not on the list of qualified voters, the applicant shall not be allowed to vote except by provisional ballot. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §30; Act 2010-687, p. 1660, §1.)
AL Code § 11-46-53 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-53 - Voting Machines to Remain Locked During Period for Filing of Contests; When Seals of Machines May Be Broken; Disposition of Records Taken From Machines.

Section 11-46-53Voting machines to remain locked during period for filing of contests; when seals of machines may be broken; disposition of records taken from machines. (a) The voting machines shall remain locked against voting for the time provided by law for the filing of contests and then shall have the seal broken only on the order of the municipal governing body and if, in the opinion of such body, the contest has developed or is likely to develop, and shall remain locked until such times as ordered by the court hearing the contest or until a final determination thereof; provided, that on the order of any court of competent jurisdiction or on the order of the municipal governing body, the seal may be broken for the purpose of proper investigation. When such investigation is completed, the machine shall again be sealed and across the envelope containing the keys shall be written the signature of the person or persons having broken same; provided further, that in the event another election is held during the time for which the machines are required by this subsection to be locked and the machines are needed at such election, the municipal governing body shall be authorized to break the seal and make a record of the numbers on all counters on each machine and to remove all of the election records from the machine. (b) The municipal governing body shall securely seal all records taken from a machine in an envelope or package and on the outside thereof label the package in such manner as to indicate plainly the machine from which they were removed and the month, day, and the year, of the election of which they are records. Each member of the municipal governing body present when the machines were opened shall certify to the accuracy of the records of the numbers on the counters and shall sign the envelope or package across the seal. This certificate and all other records removed from the voting machines shall be delivered to the municipal clerk and preserved by him for the same length of time prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 11-46-46 for the retention of paper ballots and then destroyed in the same manner that paper ballots are destroyed. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §33.)
AL Code § 11-46-54 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-54 - Designation, etc., of Custodians of Voting Machines and Keys; Transportation, Storage, and Protection of Machines.

Section 11-46-54Designation, etc., of custodians of voting machines and keys; transportation, storage, and protection of machines. (a) The governing body of any municipality procuring voting machines shall designate a person or persons who shall have the custody of the voting machines and the keys therefor when the machines are not in use at an election and shall provide for his compensation and for the safe storage and care of the machines and keys. (b) All voting machines, when not in use, shall be properly boxed or covered and stored in a suitable place or places by said custodian. The same authority that caused the delivery of the voting machines shall be charged with transporting such machines back to the custodian and shall furnish all necessary protection to see that such machines are not molested nor injured from the time such machines leave the place where they are regularly stored until they are turned over to the custody of the officials of a voting district and from the time that custody ceases on the part of the voting district officials and the machines are returned to the place of regular storage. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §34.)
AL Code § 11-46-55.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-55.1

Section 11-46-55.1Recount procedures. (a) Any person with standing to contest a municipal election may petition the canvassing authority for a recount of any or all precinct returns. The time period for requesting a recount ends 48 hours after the official canvass of returns by the municipal governing body. The petitioner must be prepared to pay the cost of the recount and must be required to give security to cover these costs in an amount as determined by the municipal governing body based upon an estimate of actual costs. The recount must be conducted under the supervision of a trained and certified poll official. Representatives of opposing interests shall be given at least 24 hours' notice and shall be invited to participate in the recount. (b) The recount shall be conducted as simply as the type of equipment and local conditions permit provided that the following minimum safeguards shall be observed: (1) The box or envelope holding the ballots shall be delivered unopened to the inspector in charge of the recount. (2) A representative of the municipality shall be present during the recount. (3) Where ballots are counted by hand, representatives of opposing interests have the right to participate in the hand count, and any unresolved disputes over the interpretation of the voter's intent may be appealed to the municipal governing body. (c) When the recount has been completed, the ballots shall be returned to their container along with a copy of the recount results. The ballot container shall be sealed and signed by the inspector conducting the recount and by the representative of the authority having custody of the ballots. (d) If the recount produces a change in precinct totals of sufficient magnitude to alter the result of the election, the outcome shall constitute grounds for an election contest as now prescribed by law. If the recount of the resulting contest alters the result of the election, the cost of the recount shall be borne by the municipality. (Act 2003-400, p. 1150, §2; Act 2010-687, p. 1660, §1.)
AL Code § 11-46-56 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-56 - Absentee Ballots - Eligibility.

Section 11-46-56Absentee ballots - Eligibility. Any qualified elector of a city or town shall be entitled to cast an absentee ballot under and pursuant to the election laws of the State of Alabama in any municipal election. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §37; Acts 1976, No. 358, p. 403, §16.)
AL Code § 11-46-57 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-57 - Absentee Ballots - Casting and Handling of Ballots; Duties and Compensation of Clerks, etc., Generally; Applicability of Other Laws.

Section 11-46-57Absentee ballots - Casting and handling of ballots; duties and compensation of clerks, etc., generally; applicability of other laws. The provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 17 shall be applicable to the casting and handling of absentee ballots in municipal elections, and any amendments, extensions, or deletions from this chapter in the future shall likewise be applicable to municipal elections. The town clerk, city clerk, or other officer performing the duties of the clerk, as the case may be, shall have and perform the duties required by Chapter 11 of Title 17. For performing these duties, the municipal governing body may compensate the clerk, or other officer performing the duties of the clerk, in whatever manner and amount it deems appropriate. All other laws of this state regulating and providing for voting of an absentee ballot shall apply to elections held under this article. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §37; Acts 1976, No. 358, p. 403, §16; Act 2010-687, p. 1660, §1.)
AL Code § 11-46-58 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-58 - Absentee Ballots - Marking, Posting, etc., of Lists of Applicants.

Section 11-46-58Absentee ballots - Marking, posting, etc., of lists of applicants. The town clerk, city clerk, or other officer performing the duties of the clerk, as the case may be, in municipal elections held under the provisions of this article, shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 17 with respect to marking, enrolling, posting, and delivering of lists showing the names and addresses of applicants for an absentee ballot. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §38; Acts 1976, No. 358, p. 403, §17; Act 2010-687, p. 1660, §1.)
AL Code § 11-46-59 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-59 - Offenses of Mayor and Other Executive Officers.

Section 11-46-59Offenses of mayor and other executive officers. (a) Any mayor or other chief executive officer of a municipality who willfully fails to give notice of any municipal election as required in this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500.00 and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months. (b) Any mayor or other chief executive officer of a municipality who knowingly puts on the list of qualified electors for a municipal election the name of any person who is not registered, as shown by the records in the probate office of the county in which such municipality lies, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, must be fined not less than $100.00. (c) Any mayor or other chief executive officer of a municipality or other officer on whom the duty of the mayor may have temporarily devolved who willfully and knowingly neglects, fails or refuses to perform any of the duties prescribed in this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, shall be fined not less than $100.00, unless otherwise provided in this article. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §39; Acts 1976, No. 358, p. 403, §18.)
AL Code § 11-46-60 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.|Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.|Chapter 46 - Elections.|Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.|Section 11-46-60 - Offenses of Clerks.

Section 11-46-60Offenses of clerks. (a) Any municipal clerk who sends any ballots to or makes any suggestions in reference to furnishing ballots for absent voters, except upon the application or request of the absent voter himself, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, shall be fined not more than $500.00, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months. (b) Any municipal clerk who fails to properly preserve the certificate of results of an election and deliver it to the municipal governing body at the time appointed for canvassing the returns of the election as required by subsection (a) of Section 11-46-46, shall be guilty of a felony and, on conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary for not less than one nor more than five years. (Acts 1961, No. 663, p. 827, §40.)