2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 10 - ELECTIONS › 10 ILCS 5/ - Election Code. › Article 24A - Electronic, Mechanical Or Electric Voting Systems

(10 ILCS 5/Art. 24A heading)
ARTICLE 24A.  
		ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL OR ELECTRIC VOTING SYSTEMS
(10 ILCS 5/24A-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-1)
Sec. 24A-1. 
		
		The purpose of this Article is to authorize the use of voting
systems approved by the State Board of Elections in which the voter records
his votes by means of marking or punching a ballot or one or more ballot
cards, which are so designed that votes will be counted by data processing
machines at one or more counting places.
(Source: P.A. 84-862.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-2)
Sec. 24A-2. 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 card" means a ballot which is voted by the process of
punching.
"Ballot configuration" means the particular combination of political
subdivision ballots including, for each political subdivision, the particular
combination of offices, candidate names and ballot position
numbers for each candidate and question as it appears for each group of
voters who may cast the same ballot.
"Ballot labels" means the cards, papers, booklet, pages or other
material containing the names of officers and candidates and statements
of measures to be voted on.
"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 enclosed 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.
"Ballot" may include ballot cards, ballot labels and paper ballots.
"Separate ballot", with respect to ballot sheets, means a separate portion
of the ballot sheet in which the color of the ink used in printing that
portion of the ballot sheet is distinct from the color of the ink used in
printing any other portion of the ballot sheet.
"Column" in an electronic voting system which utilizes a ballot card
means a space on a ballot card for punching the voter's vote arranged in
a row running lengthwise on the ballot card.
"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 such 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.
"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.
"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 by which it examines, counts,
tabulates, canvasses and prints votes recorded by a voter on a ballot
card or other medium.
"Edit listing" means a computer generated listing of the names and ballot
position numbers for each candidate and proposition
as they appear in the program for each precinct.
"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.
"Header card" means a data processing card which is coded to indicate
to the computer the precinct identity of the ballot cards that will follow
immediately and may indicate to the computer how such ballot cards are to
be tabulated.
"Marking device" means either an apparatus in which ballots or ballot
cards are inserted and used in connection with a punch apparatus for the
piercing of ballots by the voter, or any approved device for marking a
paper ballot with ink or other substance which will enable the ballot to
be tabulated by means of automatic tabulating equipment or by an electronic
scanning process.
"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 punch" means a punch placed on a ballot card 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.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-3)
Sec. 24A-3. 
		
		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 voting system
approved for use by the State Board of Elections and may use such voting
system in all or some of the precincts within its jurisdiction, or in
combination with paper ballots or voting machines.  Any such 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 voting system or voting system component without the
approval of the State Board of Elections as provided by Section 24A-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 voting systems
approved for use by the State Board of Elections under
this Article or voting machines under Article 24 for each precinct for
all such elections except as provided in Section 24-1.2.  For purposes
of this Section 24A-3, the term "population" does not
include persons prohibited from voting by Section 3-5 of this Act.
Before any such 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 wherein such 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, as the case may be, in which 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
an electronic voting system will be used.
Dated at .... on (insert date).
The notice referred to herein shall be given only at the first
election at which such voting machines or voting systems are used.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-3.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-3.1)
Sec. 24A-3.1. 
		
		When an 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 so as to change the
number of registered voters of the precincts using the electronic voting
system, establishing the number of registered voters within each
precinct at such 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 so 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 such 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. 86-867.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-4)
Sec. 24A-4. 
		
		Voting systems may be used in elections provided that such
systems enable the voter to cast a vote for all offices and on all measures
on which he is entitled to vote, and that the automatic tabulating
equipment may be set to reject all votes for any office or measure when the
number of votes therefor exceeds the number which the voter is entitled to
cast, 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 electronic voting systems are used.
(Source: P.A. 84-862.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-5)
Sec. 24A-5. 
		
		In precincts where an electronic voting system is used,
a sufficient number of voting booths shall be provided for the use of
such 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 such booth shall be placed
so that the entrance to each booth faces a wall in such a manner that no
judge of election or pollwatcher is able to observe a voter casting a ballot.
Whenever at a primary election at which an electronic voting system
is used there is also an election for officers or on propositions in
which qualified voters have the right to vote without participating in
the primary of any party, a separate voting booth may be provided for
those voters who do not wish to participate in the primary of any party.
Such determination shall be made by resolution of the county board,
municipal board of election commissioners or county board
of election commissioners, whichever is applicable.  Unless paper
ballots are used for such other election, such separate voting booth
shall contain a ballot label booklet containing only those officers and
propositions on which such voters are entitled to vote.
(Source: P.A. 84-659.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-5.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-5.1)
Sec. 24A-5.1. 
		
		For the instruction of voters on election day, the election official in
charge of the election shall provide at each polling place one
instruction-model electronic voting system marking device. Each such
instruction-model shall show the arrangement of party rows, office columns
and questions. Such model shall be located at a place which voters must
pass to reach the official marking device used in the actual casting of
votes.
Before entering the voting booth each voter shall be offered instruction
in the operation of the marking device by use of the instruction-model and
the voter shall be given ample opportunity to operate the model by himself.
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 vote
for any particular ticket, candidate, amendment, question or proposition.
All instructions shall be given by precinct officials in such a manner that
it may be observed by other persons in the polling place.
(Source: P.A. 89-700, eff. 1-17-97.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-5.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-5.2)
Sec. 24A-5.2. 
		
		When an electronic voting system is used in a forthcoming election,
the election authority may provide, for the
purpose of instructing voters in such election, one demonstrator
electronic voting system marking device for placement in any public
library within the political subdivision in which the election occurs.
If such placement of a demonstrator takes place it shall be made
available at least 30 days before the election.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-6)
Sec. 24A-6. The ballot information, whether placed on the ballot or
on the marking device, shall, as far as practicable, be in the order of
arrangement provided for paper ballots, except that such information may
be in vertical or horizontal rows, or in a number of separate pages.
Ballots for all questions or propositions to be voted on must be
provided in the same manner and must be arranged on or in the marking
device or on the ballot sheet in the places provided for such purposes.
When an electronic voting system utilizes a ballot label booklet and
ballot card, ballots for candidates, ballots calling for a
constitutional convention, constitutional amendment ballots,  judicial
retention ballots, public measures, and all propositions to be voted
upon may be placed on the electronic voting device by providing in the
ballot booklet separate ballot label pages or series of pages
distinguished by differing colors as provided below.  When an electronic
voting system utilizes a ballot sheet, ballots calling for a constitutional
convention, constitutional amendment ballots and judicial retention ballots
shall be placed on the ballot sheet by providing a separate portion of the
ballot sheet for each such kind of ballot which shall be printed in ink
of a color distinct from the color of ink used in printing any other portion
of the ballot sheet.  Ballots for candidates, public measures and all other
propositions to be voted upon shall be placed on the ballot sheet by providing
a separate portion of the ballot sheet for each such kind of ballot.  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
on which the name of a candidate may be written by the voter shall be printed below the name of the last candidate nominated for such office, and immediately
to the left of such line an area shall be provided for marking a vote for
such write-in candidate. 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 the candidate, up to the number of candidates for which a voter may vote.  More than one amendment to the constitution may
be placed on the same ballot page or series of pages or on the same portion
of the ballot sheet, as the case may be.  Ballot label pages for
constitutional conventions or constitutional amendments shall be on paper
of blue color and shall precede all other ballot label pages in the ballot
label booklet.  More than one public measure or proposition may be placed
on the same ballot label page or series of pages or on the same portion of
the ballot sheet, as the case may be.  More than one proposition for
retention of judges in office may be placed on the same ballot label page
or series of pages or on the same portion of the ballot sheet, as the case
may be.  Ballot label pages for candidates shall be on paper of white
color, except that in primary elections the ballot label page or pages for
the candidates of each respective political party shall be of the color
designated by the election official in charge of the election for that
political party's candidates; provided that the ballot label pages or pages
for candidates for use at the nonpartisan and consolidated elections may be
on paper of different colors, except blue, whenever necessary or desirable
to facilitate distinguishing between the pages for different political
subdivisions.   On each page
of
the candidate booklet, where the election is made to list ballot
information vertically, the party affiliation of each candidate or the word
"independent" shall appear immediately to the left of the candidate's
name, and the name of candidates for the same office shall be listed
vertically under the title of that office. 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 such nonpartisan candidates shall not
include any party or "independent" designation. Ballot label pages for
judicial retention ballots shall be on paper of green color, and ballot
label pages for all public measures and other propositions shall be on
paper of some other distinct and different color. In primary elections,
a separate ballot label booklet, marking device and voting booth shall
be used for each political party holding a primary, with the ballot
label booklet arranged to include ballot label pages of the candidates
of the party and public measures and other propositions to be voted upon
on the day of the primary election.  One ballot card may be used for
recording the voter's vote or choice on all such ballots, proposals,
public measures or propositions, and such ballot card shall be arranged
so as to record the voter's vote or choice in a separate column or
columns for each such kind of ballot, proposal, public measure or
proposition.
If the ballot label booklet 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 pages by protruding tabs
identifying the division of the pages, and printing on such tabs
"Candidates" and "Propositions".
The ballot card and all of its columns and the ballot card envelope
shall be of the color prescribed for candidate's ballots at the general
or primary election, whichever is being held.  At an election where no
candidates are being nominated or elected, the ballot card, its columns,
and the ballot card envelope shall be of a color designated by the election
official in charge of the election.
The ballot cards, ballot card envelopes and ballot sheets may, at the
discretion of the election authority, be printed on white paper and then
striped with the appropriate colors.
When ballot sheets are used, the various portions thereof shall be arranged
to conform to the foregoing format.
Vote by mail ballots may consist of ballot cards, envelopes, paper ballots,
or ballot sheets.  Where a ballot card is used for
voting by mail it must be accompanied by a punching tool or other
appropriate marking device, voter instructions and a specimen ballot
showing the proper positions to vote on the ballot card or ballot sheet for
each party, candidate, proposal, public measure or proposition, and in the
case of a ballot card must be mounted on a suitable material to receive the
punched out chip.
Any voter who spoils his ballot or makes an error may return the
ballot to the judges of election and secure another.   However, the
protruding identifying tab for proposals for a constitutional convention
or constitutional amendments shall have printed thereon "Constitutional
Ballot", and the ballot label page or pages for such proposals shall
precede the ballot label pages for candidates in the ballot label
booklet.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-6.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-6.1)
Sec. 24A-6.1. 
		
		In all elections conducted pursuant to this Article, ballot
cards shall have a security punch.  In precincts where more than one ballot
configuration may be voted upon, ballot cards shall have a different security
punch for each ballot configuration.  If a precinct has only one possible
ballot configuration, the ballot cards must have a security punch to identify
the election.  Where ballot cards from more than one precinct are being
tabulated, precinct header cards shall also be used: official results shall
not be generated unless the precinct identification of the header cards
for any precinct correspond.  Where the tabulating equipment being used
requires entering the program immediately prior to tabulating the ballot
cards for each precinct, the precinct program may be used in lieu of header cards.
(Source: P.A. 82-1014.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-6.2)
Sec. 24A-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 5/24A-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-7)
Sec. 24A-7. 
		
		A separate write-in ballot, which may be in the form of a paper
ballot, card or envelope in which the elector places his ballot card after
voting, shall be provided if necessary to permit electors to write in the
names of persons whose names are not on the ballot. The ballots, ballot
cards and ballot card envelopes may, at the discretion of the election authority,
be printed on white paper and then striped with the appropriate colors.
When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot card, each
ballot card envelope shall contain the write-in form and information required
by Section 16-3
of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 83-110.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-8)
Sec. 24A-8. 
		
		The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as
the case may be, shall cause the marking devices to be put in order,
set, adjusted and made ready for voting when delivered to the polling
places. Before the opening of the polls the judges of election shall
compare the ballots used in the marking devices 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, as the case may be.
In addition, in those polling places where in-precinct counting equipment
is utilized, the judges of election shall make an operational check of the
automatic tabulating equipment before the opening of the polls.  A precinct
identification card provided by the election authority shall be entered
into the automatic tabulating equipment to ensure that the totals are all
zeroes in the count column on the printing unit.
Pollwatchers as provided by law shall be permitted to closely observe the
judges in these procedures and to periodically inspect
the equipment when not in use by the voters to see that the
ballot labels are in proper position and have not been marked upon or mutilated.
(Source: P.A. 82-1014.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-9)
Sec. 24A-9. Prior to the public test, the election authority shall
conduct an errorless pre-test of the automatic tabulating equipment and
program to ascertain that they will correctly 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
tabulating equipment and program to ascertain that they will correctly
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 prior
thereto by publication once in one or more newspapers published within the
election jurisdiction of the election authority if a newspaper is published
therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. 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 so punched or marked as 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 which have
votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the
ability of the automatic tabulating equipment to reject such votes.
Such test shall also include the use of precinct header cards and may include
the production of an edit listing. In those election jurisdictions
where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, a public test of both
such 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 in which to order a special test of the
automatic tabulating equipment and program prior to any regular election. The
Board may order a special test in any election jurisdiction where, during
the preceding twelve months, computer programming errors or other errors
in the use of electronic voting systems resulted in vote tabulation errors.
Not less than 30 days prior to 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 prior to 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 so until the test is run again on election day. If any
error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained 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 prior to 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. Upon
the expiration of that time, if no election contest or appeal therefrom is
pending in an election jurisdiction, the Board shall destroy the sealed program
or programs.  Except where
in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, the test shall be repeated
immediately before the start of the official count 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.  An election jurisdiction that was employing, as
of January 1, 1983, an electronic voting system that, because of its design, is
not technically capable of compliance with such a post-tabulation testing
requirement shall satisfy the post-tabulation testing requirement by conducting
the post-tabulation test on a duplicate program until such electronic voting
system is replaced or until November 1, 1992, whichever is earlier.
Immediately thereafter the ballots, all material employed in testing the
program and the program 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 ballot cards, together with all
unused ballots returned from the precincts. Provided, if any contest of
election is pending at such time in which such ballots may be required as
evidence and such election authority has notice thereof, the same shall not be
destroyed until after such 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. 94-1000, eff. 7-3-06.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-9.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-9.1)
Sec. 24A-9.1. 
		
		Whenever an electronic scanning process is utilized 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 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 sheet, and shall not be an "X", a check mark, or any other recognizable
letter of the alphabet, number, or other symbol which can be recognized
as an identifying mark.
Whenever the ballot sheet includes designated areas on both sides, the
election authority shall provide an envelope, sleeve or other device to
each voter by means of which the voter can deliver the voted ballot sheet
to the ballot box without the votes indicated on the ballot sheet being
visible to other persons in the polling place.
(Source: P.A. 81-1433.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-10)
Sec. 24A-10. (1) In an election jurisdiction which has adopted an
electronic 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:
(a) Two ballot boxes shall be provided for each polling place. The
first ballot box is for the depositing of votes cast on the electronic
voting system; and the second ballot box is for all votes cast on paper
ballots, including any
paper ballots
required to be voted other than on the electronic voting system.
Ballots
deposited in the second
ballot box shall be counted, tallied, and returned as is elsewhere
provided in this Code for the counting and
handling of paper ballots. Immediately after the closing of the polls, the judges of election shall make out a slip indicating the
number of persons who voted in the precinct at the election. Such slip
shall be signed by all the judges of election and shall be inserted by
them in the first ballot box. The judges of election shall thereupon
immediately lock each ballot box; provided, that if
such box is not of a type which may be securely locked, such box shall be
sealed with filament tape provided for such purpose
which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least
twice each way, and in such manner that the seal completely covers the
slot in the ballot box, and each of the judges shall sign such seal. Thereupon
two of the judges of election, of different political parties, shall
forthwith and by the most direct route transport both ballot boxes to
the counting location designated by the county clerk or board of
election commissioners.
Before the ballots of a precinct are fed to the electronic tabulating
equipment, the first ballot box shall be opened at the central counting
station by the two precinct transport judges. Upon opening a ballot box,
such team shall first count the number of ballots in the box. If 2 or
more  are folded together so as to appear to have been cast by the same
person, all of the ballots so folded together shall be marked and
returned with the other ballots in the same condition, as near as may
be, in which they were found when first opened, but shall not be
counted. If the remaining ballots are found to exceed the number of
persons voting in the precinct as shown by the slip signed by the judges
of election, the ballots shall be replaced in the box, and the box
closed and well shaken and again opened and one of the precinct
transport judges shall publicly draw out so many ballots unopened as are
equal to such excess.
Such excess ballots shall be marked "Excess-Not Counted" and signed
by the two precinct transport judges and shall be placed in the "After
7:00 p.m. Defective Ballots Envelope".  The number of excess ballots
shall be noted in the remarks section of the Certificate of Results.
"Excess" ballots shall not be counted in the total of  "defective"
ballots.
The precinct transport judges shall then examine the remaining
ballots for write-in votes and shall count and tabulate the write-in
vote; or
(b) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be
used. All ballots which are not to be tabulated on the electronic voting
system shall be counted, tallied, and returned as elsewhere provided in this Code
 for the counting and handling of paper
ballots.
All ballots to be processed and tabulated with the electronic voting
system shall be processed as follows:
Immediately after the closing of the polls, the precinct judges of
election then shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to
determine that the number of ballots therein agree with the number of
voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot or if the same do
not agree the judges of election shall make such 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 ballot cards and ballot card envelopes which
are in
the ballot box to determine whether the
ballot cards and
ballot card envelopes bear the initials of a precinct judge of election.
If any ballot card or ballot card envelope is not
initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective," initialed as to
such label by all judges immediately under such word "Defective," and
not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose
labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope."
When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot
card, before separating the ballot cards from their respective
covering envelopes, the judges of election shall examine the ballot card
envelopes for write-in votes. When the voter has voted a write-in vote,
the judges of election shall compare the write-in vote with the votes on
the ballot card to determine whether such write-in results in an
overvote for any office. 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 two major political parties, shall make a true
duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card except for the office
which is overvoted, by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct
and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer all
votes of the voter except for the office overvoted, to an official
ballot card of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The
original ballot card and envelope upon which there is an overvote shall
be clearly labeled "Overvoted Ballot", and each shall bear the same
serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election,
commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of
that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the
"Duplicate Overvoted Ballot" ballot cards and shall place them in the
box for return of the ballots. The "Overvoted Ballot" ballots and their
envelopes shall be placed in the "Duplicate Ballots" envelope. Envelopes
bearing write-in votes marked in the place designated therefor and
bearing the initials of a precinct judge of election and not resulting
in an overvote and otherwise complying with the election laws as to
marking shall be counted, tallied, and their votes recorded on a tally
sheet provided by the election official in charge of the election. The
ballot cards and ballot card envelopes shall be separated and all except
any defective or overvoted shall be placed separately in the box for
return of the ballots. The judges of election shall examine the
ballots and ballot cards to determine if any is damaged, defective, or cannot otherwise be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment. If any
ballot or ballot card is damaged, defective, or cannot otherwise properly
be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the judges of
election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of
each of the two major political parties, shall make a true duplicate
ballot of all votes on such ballot card by using the ballot label
booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct.
The original ballot or ballot card and envelope shall be clearly labeled
"Damaged Ballot" and the ballot or ballot card so produced "Duplicate
Damaged Ballot," and each shall bear the same number which shall be
placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing 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 or ballot cards, and shall place them in the box for return of
the ballots. The "Damaged Ballot" ballots or ballot cards and their
envelopes shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope. A slip
indicating the number of voters voting in person shall be made out, signed by all
judges of election, and inserted in the box for return of the ballots.
The tally sheets recording the write-in votes shall be placed in this
box. The judges of election thereupon immediately shall securely lock the
ballot box or other suitable
box furnished for return of the ballots by the election official in
charge of the election; provided that if such box is not of a type which
may be securely locked, such box shall be sealed with filament tape provided
for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise,
at least twice each way.  A separate adhesive seal label signed by each of
the judges of election of the precinct shall be affixed to the box so as
to cover any slot therein and to identify the box of the precinct; and
if such box is sealed with filament tape as provided herein rather than
locked, such tape shall be wrapped around the box as provided herein, but
in such manner that the separate adhesive seal label affixed to the box
and signed by the judges may not be removed without breaking the filament
tape and disturbing the signature of the judges.  Thereupon, 2 of the
judges of election, of different major political parties, forthwith shall
by the most direct route transport the box for
return of the ballots and enclosed ballots and returns to the central
counting location designated by the election official in charge of the
election. If, however, because of the lack of adequate parking
facilities at the central counting location or for any other reason, it
is impossible or impracticable for the boxes from all the polling places
to be delivered directly to the central counting location, the election
official in charge of the election may designate some other location to
which the boxes shall be delivered by the 2 precinct judges. While at
such other location the boxes shall be in the care and custody of one or
more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the two major
political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official
in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political
party organizations. As soon as possible, the boxes shall be transported
from such other location to the central counting location by one or more
teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major
political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official
in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political
party organizations.
The "Defective Ballots" envelope, and "Duplicated Ballots" envelope
each shall be securely sealed and the flap or end thereof of each signed
by the precinct judges of election and returned to the central counting
location with the box for return of the ballots, enclosed ballots and
returns.
At the central counting location, a team of tally judges designated
by the election official in charge of the election shall check the box
returned containing the ballots to determine that all seals are intact,
and thereupon shall open the box, check the voters' slip and compare the
number of ballots so delivered against the total number of voters of the
precinct who voted, remove the ballots or ballot cards and deliver them
to the technicians operating the automatic tabulating equipment.  Any
discrepancies between the number of ballots and total number of voters
shall be noted on a sheet furnished for that purpose and signed by the
tally judges; or
(c) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used.
Immediately after the closing of the polls, the precinct judges of election shall
securely
lock the ballot box; provided that if such box is not of a
type which may be securely locked, such box shall be sealed with filament
tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise
and crosswise, at least twice each way.
A separate adhesive seal label signed by each of the judges of election
of the precinct shall be affixed to the box so as to cover any slot therein
and to identify the box of the precinct; and if such box is sealed with
filament tape as provided herein rather than locked, such tape shall be
wrapped around the box as provided herein, but in such manner that the separate
adhesive seal label affixed to the box and signed by the judges may not
be removed without breaking the filament tape and disturbing the signature
of the judges.  Thereupon, 2 of the judges
of election, of different
major political parties, shall forthwith by the most direct route transport
the box for return of the ballots and enclosed vote by mail and early ballots
and returns
to the central counting location designated by the election official
in charge of the election.  If however, because of the lack of adequate
parking facilities at the central counting location or for some other reason,
it is impossible or impracticable for the boxes from all the polling places
to be delivered directly to the central counting location, the election
official in charge of the election may designate some other location to
which the boxes shall be delivered by the 2 precinct judges.  While at
such other location the boxes shall be in the care and custody of one or
more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the two major
political
parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge
of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party
organizations.
As soon as possible, the boxes shall be transported from such other location
to the central counting location by one or more teams, each consisting of
4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for
such purpose by the election official in charge of the election from
recommendations
by the appropriate political party organizations.
At the central counting location there shall be one or more teams of tally
judges who possess the same qualifications as tally judges in election
jurisdictions
using paper ballots.  The number of such teams shall be determined by the
election authority.  Each team shall consist of 5 tally judges, 3 selected
and approved by the county board from a certified list furnished by the chair
 of the county central committee of the party with the majority
of members on the county board and 2 selected and approved by the county
board from a certified list furnished by the chair of the county central
committee of the party with the second largest number of members
on the county board.  At the central counting location a team of tally judges
shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to determine that
the number of ballot sheets
therein agree with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications
for ballot; and, if the same do not agree, the tally judges shall make such
ballots agree with the number of applications for ballot in the manner provided
by Section 17-18 of this Code.  The tally judges shall then examine
all ballot sheets which are in the ballot box to determine whether they
bear the initials of the 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 tally judges immediately under such word "Defective", and not
counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled
"Defective
Ballots Envelope".  An overvote for one office shall invalidate
only the vote or count of that particular office.
At the central counting location, a team of tally judges designated
by the election official in charge of the election shall deliver the ballot
sheets to the technicians operating the automatic tabulating equipment.
Any discrepancies between the number of ballots and total number of voters
shall be noted on a sheet furnished for that purpose and signed by the tally
judges.
(2) Regardless of which procedure described in subsection (1) of this
Section is used,
the judges of election designated to transport the ballots, properly signed
and sealed as provided herein, 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 (1) of this Section until the
judges transporting the
same 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 same 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
such ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the
receipt which they are to take as above provided.
(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 102-819, eff. 5-13-22.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-10.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-10.1)
Sec. 24A-10.1. In an election jurisdiction where in-precinct counting
equipment is utilized, the following procedures for counting and
tallying the ballots shall apply:
Immediately after the closing of the polls, the precinct judges of election shall open the ballot box and count the
number of ballots therein
to determine if such number agrees with the number of voters voting as shown
by the applications for ballot or, if the same do not agree, the judges
of election shall make such ballots agree with the applications for ballot
in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Act.
The judges of election shall then examine all ballot cards and ballot card
envelopes which are in the ballot box to determine whether the ballot cards
and ballot card envelopes contain the initials of a precinct judge of
election.  If any ballot card or ballot card envelope 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 card in the place of
the defective ballot card, so that the count of the ballot cards to be counted
on the automatic tabulating equipment will be the same, and each "Defective
Ballot" card and "Replacement" card shall contain the same serial number
which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with
number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that
precinct. The original "Defective" card shall be placed in the "Defective
Ballot Envelope" provided for that purpose.
When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot card,
before separating the remaining ballot cards from their respective covering
envelopes, the judges of election shall examine the ballot card envelopes
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
card to determine whether such write-in results in an overvote for any office.
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 card except for the
office which is overvoted, by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct
and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer all votes
of the voter, except for the office overvoted, to a duplicate card.  The
original ballot card and envelope 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, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively
for the ballots of that kind in that precinct.
The "Overvoted Ballot" card and ballot envelope shall be placed in an envelope
provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballot" envelope, and the judges
of election shall initial the "Replacement" ballot
cards and shall place them with the other ballot cards to be counted on
the automatic tabulating
equipment.  Envelopes containing write-in votes marked in the place designated
therefor and containing the initials of a precinct judge of election and
not resulting in an overvote and otherwise complying with the election laws
as to marking shall be counted and tallied and their votes recorded on a
tally sheet provided by the election authority.
The ballot cards and ballot card envelopes shall be separated in preparation
for counting by the automatic tabulating equipment provided for that
purpose by the election authority.
Before the ballots are entered into the automatic tabulating
equipment, a precinct identification card provided by the election authority
shall be entered into the device to ensure that the totals are all zeroes
in the count column on the printing unit. A precinct judge of election
shall then count the ballots
by entering each ballot card into the automatic tabulating
equipment, and if any ballot or ballot card is damaged, defective, or cannot otherwise properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, 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 card by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and
one of the marking devices of the precinct.  The original ballot or ballot
card and envelope shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot
or ballot card so produced shall be clearly labeled "Duplicate Damaged Ballot",
and each shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed
thereon by the judges of election, commencing 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 or ballot cards and shall enter the
duplicate damaged cards into the automatic tabulating equipment.  The "Damaged
Ballot" cards
shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope; after all ballot cards
have been successfully read, the judges of election shall check to make certain that
the last number printed by the printing unit is the same as 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 set 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 ballot cards and enter the
number on the "Statement of Ballots".  All "Spoiled", "Defective" and
"Duplicated" ballot cards 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 provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped
around the container lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, in
such manner that the ballots cannot be removed from such container without
breaking the seal and filament tape and disturbing any signatures affixed
by the election judges to the container. The election authority shall keep
the office of the election authority, or any receiving stations designated
by such 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
same make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots
by the election authority, the judges returning the same shall take a
receipt signed by the election authority and stamped with the time and date
of such return. The election judges whose duty it is to return any ballots
as herein provided shall, in the event such ballots cannot be found when
needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.
(Source: P.A. 102-819, eff. 5-13-22.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-11)
Sec. 24A-11. 
All proceedings at the location for central counting
shall be under the
direction of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the
case may be. Except for any specially trained technicians required for the
operation of the automatic 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 such 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
approval or disapproval, a list of persons of his party proposed to be
employed. If a chair fails to notify the election authority of his
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 5/24A-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-13)
Sec. 24A-13. 
		
		The procedure for tabulating the votes by the automatic
tabulating equipment shall be under the direction of the election authority
and shall conform to
the requirements of the automatic tabulating equipment. During any election-related
activity utilizing the automatic tabulating equipment, the election authority
shall make a reasonable effort to dedicate the equipment to vote processing
so as 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 operators 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:
1. Alterations made to programs associated with the vote counting process;
2. if applicable, console messages relating to the program and the respective
responses made by the operator;
3. the starting time for each precinct counted, the number of cards counted
for each precinct, any equipment problems and, insofar as practicable, the
number of invalid security punches encountered
during that count; and
4. changes and
repairs made to the equipment during the vote tabulation and canvass.
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. 82-1014.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-14)
Sec. 24A-14. Damaged, defective, or unreadable ballots; duplicates. If any ballot is damaged, defective, or cannot
otherwise properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate
copy shall be made of the ballot in the presence of witnesses and
substituted for the damaged ballot. Likewise, a duplicate ballot shall not include the invalid votes appearing on the original ballot. All
duplicate ballots shall be clearly labeled "duplicate", shall bear a serial
number which shall be registered on the damaged, defective, or otherwise unreadable ballot, and
shall be counted in lieu of the damaged, defective, or otherwise unreadable ballot.
(Source: P.A. 102-819, eff. 5-13-22.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-15)
Sec. 24A-15. The precinct return printed by the automatic 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 with respect to the total number of votes cast in any
precinct, shall have the ballots for such 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 utilize 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 such certificate of
results, the ballots for such 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 utilized, 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
such random selection procedure and may be represented at such procedure.
Such retabulation shall consist of counting the ballot cards which were
originally counted and shall not involve any determination as to which
ballot cards were, in fact, properly counted.  The ballots from the
precincts selected for such 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 such retabulation, the election authority shall test the
computer program in the selected precincts and on the selected early voting devices.  Such test
shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so punched
so as 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 in order
to test the ability of the equipment to reject such votes.  If any error
is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained 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 such retabulation and may be represented at such
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 Act.  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. Such 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.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-15.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-15.01)
Sec. 24A-15.01. 
		
		Upon completion of the tabulation and retabulation of votes
pursuant to Sections 24A-11 through 24A-15, the ballots from each precinct
shall be replaced in the container in which they were transported to the
central counting station.  If such container is not a type which may be
securely locked, then each such container - before being transferred from the
counting station to storage - shall be sealed with filament tape wrapped around
such container lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, and in such
manner that the ballots cannot be removed from the container without breaking
the tape.
(Source: P.A. 88-45.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-15.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-15.1)
Sec. 24A-15.1. Except as herein provided, discovery recounts and election
contests shall be conducted as otherwise provided for in this Code. The automatic tabulating equipment shall be tested prior to the
discovery recount or election contest as provided in Section 24A-9, and
then the official ballots or ballot cards shall be recounted on the
automatic tabulating equipment. In addition, (1) the ballot or ballot cards
shall be checked for the presence or absence of judges' initials and other
distinguishing marks, and (2) the ballots marked "Rejected", "Defective",
"Objected to",
"Vote by Mail Ballot", and "Early Ballot" shall be
examined
to determine the
propriety of the labels, and (3) the "Duplicate Vote by Mail Ballots",
"Duplicate Early Ballots",
"Duplicate Overvoted Ballots", 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 such 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. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-16)
Sec. 24A-16. The State Board of Elections shall approve all voting
systems provided by this Article.
No voting system shall be approved
unless it fulfills the following requirements:
(1) It enables a voter to vote in absolute secrecy;
(2) (Blank);
(3) It enables a voter to vote a ticket selected in     part from the nominees of one party, and in part from the nominees of any or all parties, and in part from independent candidates and in part of candidates whose names are written in by the voter;
(4) It enables a voter to vote a written or printed     ticket of his own selection for any person for any office for whom he may desire to vote;
(5) It will reject all votes for an office or upon a     proposition when the voter has cast more votes for such office or upon such proposition than he is entitled to cast;
(5.5) It will identify when a voter has not voted for     all statewide constitutional offices;
(6) It will accommodate all propositions to be     submitted to the voters in the form provided by law or, where no such form is provided, then in brief form, not to exceed 75 words;
(7) It will accommodate the tabulation programming     requirements of Sections 24A-6.2, 24B-6.2, and 24C-6.2.
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
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 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. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-17)
Sec. 24A-17. 
		
		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. 78-918.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-18)
Sec. 24A-18. 
		
		When an electronic 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 label containing the names of
offices and candidates and statements of measures to be voted on, as
near as may be, in the form in which they will appear on the official
ballot label on election day. Such true legible copy may be in the form
of an actual size ballot label booklet and shall be published as
required by this section if distributed in 2 or more newspapers
published in and having a general circulation in the county as an insert
thereto.  For each election prescribed in Article 2A of this Code, such
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. 81-1535.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-20)
Sec. 24A-20. 
		
		State Board testing of electronic ballot forms using direct
recording electronic voting systems.  The State Board of Elections may test
direct recording electronic
voting systems. Testing by
the State Board of Elections shall include the operation of direct recording
electronic voting systems during a mock voting procedure and during a mock
contested
election in
which
ballots are objected to or recounted.  The State
Board of Elections shall certify to the General Assembly the results of any
tests it
performs under this Section.  Notwithstanding the results of the State Board of
Elections test and its certification to the General Assembly, nothing in this
Section shall authorize the use of a direct recording electronic voting system
unless further authorized by the
General Assembly.
(Source: P.A. 90-745, eff. 8-14-98.)
(10 ILCS 5/24A-22)
Sec. 24A-22. Definition of a vote.
(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the purpose of this
Article, a person casts a valid vote on a punch card ballot when:
(1) A chad on the card has at least one corner     detached from the card;
(2) The fibers of paper on at least one edge of the     chad are broken in a way that permits unimpeded light to be seen through the card; or
(3) An indentation on the chad from the stylus or     other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote based on the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to any pattern or frequency of indentations on other ballot positions from the same ballot card.
(b) Write-in votes shall be counted in a manner consistent with the existing
provisions of this Code.
(c) For purposes of this Section, a "chad" is that portion of a ballot card
that a voter punches or perforates with a stylus or other designated marking
device to manifest his or her vote for a particular ballot position on a ballot
card as defined in subsection (a).
(d) Prior to the original counting of any punch card ballots, an election judge may not alter a punch card ballot in any manner, including, but not limited to, the removal or manipulation of chads.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 94-645, eff. 8-22-05.)