reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
CO Code § 31-10-610 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 6 - Conduct of Elections|§ 31-10-610. Counting Paper Ballots

  In precincts which use paper ballots, as soon as the polls at any election have finally closed, the judges shall immediately open the ballot box and proceed to count the votes polled, and the counting thereof shall be continued until finished before the judges of election adjourn. They shall first count the number of ballots in the box. If the ballots are found to exceed the number of names entered on the pollbook, the judges of election shall then examine the official endorsements upon the outside of the ballots without opening the same, and if, in the unanimous opinion of the judges, any of the ballots in excess of the number on the pollbook do not bear the proper official endorsement, they shall be put into a separate pile by themselves, and a separate record and return of the votes in such ballots shall be made under the head of “excess ballots”. When the ballots and the pollbook agree, the judges of election shall proceed to count the votes. Each ballot shall be read and counted separately, and every name separately marked as voted for on such ballot, where there is no conflict to obscure the intention of the voter, shall be read and marked upon the tally sheets before any other ballot is proceeded with. The entire number of ballots, excepting “excess ballots”, shall be read and counted and placed upon the tally sheets in like manner. When all of the ballots, excepting “excess ballots”, have been counted, the judges of election shall estimate and publish the votes.    When all the votes have been read and counted, the ballots, together with one of the tally lists, shall be returned to the ballot box, and the opening shall be carefully sealed, and each of the judges shall place his initials on said seal. The cover shall then be locked and the ballot box delivered to the clerk as provided in section 31-10-614.    All persons, except judges of election and watchers, shall be excluded from the place where the counting is being carried on until the count has been completed.     History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1051, § 1, effective July 1. L. 81: (1) and (3) amended, p. 1504, § 23, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-610 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-611 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 6 - Conduct of Elections|§ 31-10-611. Tally Sheets

 As the judges of election open and read the ballots, the votes each of the candidates have received shall be carefully marked down, upon tally sheets prepared by the clerk for that purpose, by any appropriate election official.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1052, § 1, effective July 1. L. 79: Entire section R&RE, p. 1178, § 19, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-611 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-612 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 6 - Conduct of Elections|§ 31-10-612. Defective Ballots

 If a voter marks in ink or indelible pencil more names than there are persons to be elected to an office or if, for any reason, it is impossible to determine the choice of any voter for any office to be filled, his ballot shall not be counted for such office. A defective or an incomplete cross marked on any ballot in ink in a proper place shall be counted if there is no other mark or cross in ink or indelible pencil on such ballot indicating an intention to vote for some person other than those indicated by the first mentioned defective cross or mark. No ballot without the official endorsement, except as provided in section 31-10-805 , shall be deposited in the ballot box, and none but ballots provided in accordance with the provisions of this article shall be counted. When the judges of election in any precinct discover in the counting of votes that the name of any candidate voted for is misspelled or the initial letters of his given name are transposed or omitted in part or altogether on the ballot, the vote for such candidate shall be counted for him if the intention of the elector to vote for him is apparent. Ballots not counted shall be marked “defective” on the back thereof and shall be preserved for such time as is provided in section 31-10-616 for ballots and destroyed as therein directed.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1052, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-612 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-613 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 6 - Conduct of Elections|§ 31-10-613. Judges' Certificate

  As soon as all the votes have been read and counted, the judges of election shall make a certificate, stating the name of each candidate, designating the office for which such person received votes, and stating the number of votes he received, the number being expressed in words at full length and in numerical figures, such entry to be made as nearly as circumstances will admit, in the following form: “At an election held at .... in .... precinct in the municipality of .... and state of Colorado, on the .... day of ...., in the year ...., the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective names for the following described offices: Total number of votes cast were ...., A.B. had seventy-two (72) votes for mayor; C.D. had seventy-one (71) votes for mayor; N.O. had seventy-two (72) votes for councilman or trustee; P.Q. had seventy-one (71) votes for councilman or trustee (and in the same manner for any other persons voted for).    In addition, the judges of election shall make a statement in writing showing the number of ballots voted, making a separate statement of the number of unofficial and substitute ballots voted, the number of ballots delivered to voters, the number of spoiled ballots, the number of ballots not delivered to voters, and the number of ballots returned, identifying and specifying the same. All unused ballots, spoiled ballots, and stubs of ballots voted shall be returned with such statement.     Certified by us: E.F.)Judges ) G.H.)of ) I.J.)Election”   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1052, § 1, effective July 1. L. 79: (1) amended, p. 1178, § 20, effective July 1. L. 81: (1) amended, p. 1504, § 24, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-613 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-614 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 6 - Conduct of Elections|§ 31-10-614. Delivery of Election Returns, Ballot Boxes, and Other Election Papers

 When all the votes have been read and counted, the election officials selected in accordance with section 31-10-409 shall deliver to the clerk the certificate and statement required by section 31-10-613 , the ballot boxes and all keys thereto, and the registration list, pollbooks, tally sheets, spoiled ballots, unused ballots, ballot stubs, oaths, affidavits, and other election papers and supplies. Such delivery shall be made at once and with all convenient speed, and informality in such delivery shall not invalidate the vote of any precinct when delivery has been made previous to the completion of the official abstract of the votes by the canvassers. The clerk shall give his receipt for all such papers so delivered.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1053, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-614 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-615 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 6 - Conduct of Elections|§ 31-10-615. Judges to Post Returns

 In addition to all certificates otherwise required to be made of the count of votes polled at any election, the judges of election are hereby required to make out an abstract of the count of votes, which abstract shall contain the names of the offices, names of the candidates, ballot titles and submission clauses of all initiated, referred, or other measures voted upon, and the number of votes counted for or against each candidate or measure. Said abstract shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the outside of the polling place immediately upon completion of the count. The abstract may be removed at any time after forty-eight hours following the election. Suitable blanks for the required abstract shall be prepared, printed, and furnished to all judges of election at the same time and in the same manner as other election supplies are furnished.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1053, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-615 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-616 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 6 - Conduct of Elections|§ 31-10-616. Preservation of Ballots and Election Records

  The ballots, when not required to be taken from the ballot box for the purpose of election contests, shall remain in the ballot box in the custody of the clerk until six months after the election at which such ballots were cast or until the time has expired for which the ballots would be needed in any contest proceedings, at which time the ballot box shall be opened by the clerk and the ballots destroyed by fire, shredding, or burial, or by any other method approved by the executive director of the department of personnel. If the ballot boxes are needed for a special election before the legal time for commencing any proceedings in the way of contests has elapsed or in case such clerk, at the time of holding such special election, has knowledge of the pendency of any contest in which the ballots would be needed, the clerk shall preserve the ballots in some secure manner and provide for their being kept so that no one can ascertain how any voter may have voted.    The clerk shall preserve all other official election records and forms for at least six months following a regular or special election.     History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1053, § 1, effective July 1. L. 79: (1) amended, p. 1179, § 21, effective July 1. L. 96: (1) amended, p. 1543, § 135, effective June 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-616 as it existed prior to 1975.   ANNOTATION   Paper “ballots” are those paper documents that are to be printed and then possessed by the clerk at least 10 days prior to an election. Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011).   Digital copies of ballots do not meet the criteria for paper ballots. Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011).   When ballots are scanned and the resulting digital image is saved in tagged image file format (TIFF), the TIFF files are not ballots and the TIFF files are therefore open to inspection under the Colorado Open Records Act, provided that the files contain no content that could reveal the identity of the voter. Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011).   Subsection (2) requires “other official election records” to be preserved for six months, but does not specify later destruction of such records or any other requirements beyond such six-month preservation. Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011).   Because digital copies of ballots are not ballots, releasing them for public inspection would not be contrary to this section's ballot storage and destruction provision. Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011).
CO Code § 31-10-617 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 6 - Conduct of Elections|§ 31-10-617. Ranked Voting Methods

  Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, a municipality may use a ranked voting method, as defined in section 1-1-104 (34.4), C.R.S., to conduct a regular election to elect the mayor or members of the governing body of the municipality in accordance with section 1-7-1003, C.R.S., and the rules adopted by the secretary of state pursuant to section 1-7-1004 (1), C.R.S.    A municipality conducting an election using a ranked voting method may adapt the requirements of this article, including requirements concerning the form of the ballot, the method of marking the ballot, the procedure for counting ballots, and the form of the election judges' certificate, as necessary for compatibility with the ranked voting method.     History. Source: L. 2008: Entire section added, p. 1252, § 4, effective August 5.
CO Code § 31-10-701 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-701. Use of Voting Machines

 Voting machines may be used in any municipal election if the governing body, by resolution, authorizes their use. The adoption and use of voting machines for municipal elections shall be in accordance with the provisions for the adoption and use of voting machines for general and primary elections insofar as such provisions are applicable to municipal elections.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1053, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-701 as it existed prior to 1975.   Cross references:   For use of voting machines in general and primary elections, see part 4 of article 7 of title 1.
CO Code § 31-10-702 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-702. Judges to Inspect Machines

 The judges of election of each precinct using voting machines shall meet at the polling place therein at least three-quarters of an hour before the time set for the opening of the polls at each election. Before the polls are open for an election, each judge shall carefully examine each machine used in the precinct and see that no vote has been cast and that every counter, except the protective counter, registers zero.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1054, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-702 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-703 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-703. Sample Ballots, Ballot Labels, and Cards of Instruction

  Sample ballots shall be printed and in the possession of the clerk ten days before the election and shall be subject to public inspection. The sample ballots shall be arranged in the form of a diagram showing the front of the voting machine as it will appear after the official ballot labels are arranged thereon for voting on election day. Such sample ballots may be either in full or reduced size. The clerk shall provide at least two sample ballots for each election precinct, to be delivered to the judges of election and posted in the polling place on election day.    The clerk shall also prepare and place on each voting machine to be used in election precincts under the clerk's supervision a set of official ballot labels arranged in the manner prescribed for the official election ballot to be used on voting machines. When there is more than one person to be elected to an office, there shall be provided two, and only two, spaces for write-in purposes for each different office. No cross mark (X) shall be required opposite the name of a write-in candidate. Candidate names shall be arranged by lot as prescribed by the municipal clerk under the designation of the office. The clerk shall deliver the required number of voting machines, equipped with the official ballot, to each election precinct no later than the day prior to the day of election.    Cards of instruction for the guidance of voters in casting their ballots on voting machines shall also be supplied by the clerk as provided in section 31-10-906.     History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1054, § 1, effective July 1. L. 93: (2) amended, p. 1709, § 8, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-703 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-704 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-704. Instructions to Vote

 In case any voter after entering the voting machine asks for further instructions concerning the manner of voting, a judge shall give such instruction to him; but no judge or other election officer or person assisting such voter shall enter the voting machine, except as provided in section 31-10-608 , or in any manner request, suggest, or seek to persuade or induce any such voter to vote for any particular ticket, or for any particular candidate, or for or against any particular amendment, question, or proposition. After receiving such instruction, such voter shall vote as in the case of an unassisted voter.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1054, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-704 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-705 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-705. Length of Time to Vote

 No voter shall remain within the voting machine booth longer than three minutes. If he refuses to leave after a lapse of three minutes, he shall be removed by the judges, but the judges in their discretion may permit a voter to remain longer than three minutes.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1054, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-705 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-706 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-706. Judge to Watch Voting Machines

 The judges shall designate at least one of their number to be stationed beside the entrance to the voting machine during the entire period of the election to see that it is properly closed after a voter has entered to vote. At such intervals as he deems proper or necessary, the judge shall examine the face of the machine to ascertain whether it has been defaced or injured, to detect the wrongdoer, and to repair any injury.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1054, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-706 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-707 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-707. Clerk to Supply Seals for Voting Machines

 The clerk shall supply each election precinct with a seal for each voting machine to be used in the precinct for the purpose of sealing the machine after the polls are closed and with an envelope for the return of the keys to the machine along with the election returns.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1054, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-707 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-708 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-708. Close of Polls and Count of Votes

 As soon as the polls are closed, the judges of election shall immediately lock and seal each voting machine against further voting, and it shall so remain for a period of thirty days unless otherwise ordered by the court. Immediately after each machine is locked and sealed, the judges of election shall open the counting compartments thereof and proceed to count the votes thereon. After the total vote for each candidate and upon each question or proposition has been ascertained, the judges of election shall make out a certificate of votes cast, in numerical figures only, and return the same to the clerk as provided in section 31-10-614 .   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1055, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-708 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-709 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 7 - Voting Machines|§ 31-10-709. Election Laws Apply - Separate Absentee Ballots Permitted

 All of the provisions of this article not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 31-10-701 to 31-10-708 shall apply to all elections held in precincts where voting machines are used. Nothing in sections 31-10-701 to 31-10-708 shall prohibit the use of a separate paper ballot by absentee voters or for charter amendments where such is required.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1055, § 1, effective July 1.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 31-10-709 as it existed prior to 1975.
CO Code § 31-10-801 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 8 - Electronic System|§ 31-10-801. Use of Electronic System

 An electronic voting system may be used in any municipal election if the governing body authorizes its use. The adoption and use of an electronic voting system for municipal elections shall be in accordance with the provisions for the adoption and use of such system for general and primary elections insofar as such provisions are applicable to municipal elections.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1055, § 1, effective July 1.
CO Code § 31-10-802 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 8 - Electronic System|§ 31-10-802. Sample Ballots

 Sample ballots shall be printed and in the possession of the clerk ten days before the election and shall be subject to public inspection. Such ballots shall be in the form of the official ballot but shall be printed on paper of a different color from the official ballot. The clerk shall provide that at least two sample ballots for each election precinct are delivered to the judges of election and posted in the polling place on election day.   History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1055, § 1, effective July 1.
CO Code § 31-10-803 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 31 - Government - Municipal|Article 10 - Municipal Election Code|Part 8 - Electronic System|§ 31-10-803. Ballots - Electronic Voting

  Ballot pages or ballot cards placed upon voting devices shall be, so far as practicable, in the same order of arrangement as provided by section 31-10-902 for paper ballots; except that they shall be of the size and design required by the vote recorder or the electronic vote counting equipment, or both the vote recorder and the electronic vote counting equipment, and may be printed on a number of separate pages which are placed on the voting device or on one or more ballot cards.    If votes are recorded on a ballot card, a separate write-in ballot may be provided, which may be in the form of a paper ballot or envelope on which the voter may write in the titles of the office and the names of persons not on the printed ballot for whom he wishes to vote.     History. Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1055, § 1, effective July 1.