reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.445 - No one but voter in booth, exception.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2006
115.445. No one but voter in booth, exception. —
1. Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3 of this section, no one other than the voter shall be permitted in any voting booth or permitted to be in any position where he may see how a voter is voting.
2. If any voter, after entering a voting booth, asks for further instructions concerning the manner of voting, two election judges of different political parties shall give such instructions. Such judges shall not enter the voting booth unless it is impossible to give the instructions otherwise. After giving the instructions, the judges shall leave the area and take all necessary measures to insure that the voter casts his vote in secret.
3. If any voter declares under oath to the election judges that he cannot read or write, is blind or has any other physical disability and cannot vote his ballot, he may be assisted by the election judges or by any person of his own choice other than a judge. If the voter asks for the assistance of election judges, two judges of different political parties shall go to the voting booth and cast his vote as he directs. If the voter asks for the assistance of someone other than election judges, the assistant shall go to the voting booth with the voter and cast his vote as he directs. No person, other than election judges and members of such voters' immediate families, shall assist more than one voter at one election.
4. A child under the age of eighteen shall be allowed to accompany his or her parent, grandparent, or guardian into a voting booth.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 11.095, A.L. 2006 S.B. 1014 & 730)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.447 - Definitions.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2022, 2 histories
115.447. Definitions. —
1. As used in this subchapter, unless the context clearly implies otherwise, the following terms shall mean:
(1)
"Counting judges"
are the two judges, one from each major political party, who read each vote received by all candidates and each vote for and against all questions at a polling place;
(2)
"Receiving judges"
are the two judges, one from each major political party, who initial each voter's ballot at a polling place;
(3)
"Recording judges"
are the two judges, one from each major political party, who tally the votes received by each candidate and for and against each question at a polling place. These terms describe functions rather than individuals, and any election judge may perform more than one function at a polling place on election day.
2. As used in this subchapter, unless the context clearly implies otherwise, the following terms shall mean:
(1)
"Defective ballot"
is any ballot on which the number of write-in votes and votes cast on the ballot for any office exceed the number allowed by law, and any ballot which is bent or damaged so that it cannot be properly counted by automatic tabulating equipment;
(2)
"Rejected ballot"
is any ballot on which no votes are counted because the ballot fails to have the initials of the proper election judges, because the number of votes for all offices and on all questions exceeds the number authorized by law, because the voter is deemed by the election judges to be unqualified, because it is an absentee ballot not accompanied by a completed and signed affidavit, or because the ballot was voted with unlawful assistance;
(3)
"Spoiled ballot"
is any ballot accidentally spoiled by a voter and replaced by election judges in the manner provided in subsection 2 of section 115.439.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.001, A.L. 2022 H.B. 1878)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.449 - Ballots, when and how counted.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2013, 2 histories
115.449. Ballots, when and how counted. —
1. As soon as the polls close in each polling place using paper ballots, the election judges shall begin to count the votes. If earlier counting is begun pursuant to section 115.451, the election judges shall complete the count in the manner provided by this section. Once begun, no count shall be adjourned or postponed until all proper votes have been counted.
2. One counting judge, closely observed by the other counting judge, shall take the ballots out of the ballot box one at a time and, holding each ballot in such a way that the other counting judge may read it, shall read the name of each candidate properly voted for and the office sought by each. As each vote is called out, the recording judges shall each record the vote on a tally sheet. The votes for and against all questions shall likewise be read and recorded. If more than one political subdivision or special district is holding an election on the same day at the same polling place and using separate ballots, the counting judges may separate the ballots of each political subdivision and special district and first read one set, then the next and so on until all proper votes have been counted.
3. After the recording of all proper votes, the recording judges shall compare their tallies. When the recording judges agree on the count, they shall sign both of the tally sheets, and one of the recording judges shall announce in a loud voice the total number of votes for each candidate and for and against each question.
4. After the announcement of the vote, the election judges shall record the vote totals in the appropriate places on each statement of returns. If any tally sheet or statement of returns contains no heading for any question, the election judges shall write the necessary headings on the tally sheet or statement of returns.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.005, A.L. 2006 S.B. 1014 & 730, A.L. 2013 S.B. 99)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.451 - Judges may read and record votes before polls close, when — procedure to be followed.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.451. Judges may read and record votes before polls close, when — procedure to be followed. —
If authorized by the election authority, the election judges may read and record votes before the close of the polls. If so authorized, the election judges shall use one ballot box for the deposit of ballots during the first hour of voting. At the end of the hour, the receiving judges shall deliver the ballot box to the counting and recording judges, who shall give the receiving judges a second empty ballot box. The second ballot box shall be shown to be empty and locked in the manner provided in section 115.423. The second ballot box shall not be opened or removed from public view from the time it is shown to be empty until the time the polls close or it is removed for counting pursuant to this section. The ballot box containing the voted ballots shall be taken to a private area within the polling place, and the ballots shall be read and recorded in the manner provided by section 115.449. In no case shall ballot boxes be switched at less than one hour intervals and then only if twenty-five or more ballots have been voted during the hour.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.010)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.455 - Procedure for counting votes on questions.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2013
115.455. Procedure for counting votes on questions. —
Election judges shall count votes on each question in the following manner:
(1) If a distinguishing mark appears immediately beside or below the "YES", the question shall be counted as voted for. If a distinguishing mark appears immediately beside or below the "NO", the question shall be counted as voted against;
(2) If a distinguishing mark appears immediately beside or below the "YES" and immediately beside or below the "NO", the question shall neither be counted as voted for nor as voted against.
­­--------
(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.020, A.L. 2013 S.B. 99)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.457 - Uninitialed ballots rejected, exception.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.457. Uninitialed ballots rejected, exception. —
If a ballot appears without the initials of two election judges, the ballot shall be rejected, except when it appears the absence of initials is due to a mistake of the election judges and that the ballot is otherwise legal and proper.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.025)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.459 - Duties of judges after polls close (paper ballots).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.459. Duties of judges after polls close (paper ballots). —
At each polling place using paper ballots, after the polling place is closed, the election judges shall
(1) Certify in the tally book the number of ballots cast, the number of identification certificates signed, the number of rejected and spoiled ballots and the number of ballots received at the polling place which were not cast at the election. If the number of signed identification certificates is not the same as the number of ballots cast, the judges shall make a signed statement of the fact and the reasons therefor if known and shall return the statement with the statements of returns;
(2) Certify on two statements of returns the number of votes received by each candidate and for and against each question. No returns shall be signed in blank or before the polls have closed and all proper votes cast at the polling place have been counted;
(3) Certify that each statement made in the tally book and on each statement of returns is correct. If any judge declines to certify that all such statements are correct, he shall state his reasons in writing, which shall be attached to each statement of returns and returned with the statement to the election authority.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.030)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.461 - Tally book, form of — tally sheet, form of — statements of returns, form of (paper ballots).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.461. Tally book, form of — tally sheet, form of — statements of returns, form of (paper ballots). —
1. The tally book for each polling place using paper ballots shall be in substantially the following form:
Tally book for ______ precincts, at the general (special, primary) election held on the ______ day of ______, 20______ AB, CD, EF, and XP judges, and ZR and LT, watchers and BH and SP challengers at this polling place, were sworn as the law directs before beginning their duties.
We hereby certify:
The number of ballots received at this polling place is ______;
The information on the official ballots received at this polling place is the same as the information on the sample ballots received at this polling place.
AB
CD Election Judges
EF
XP
We hereby certify:
The number of ballots cast at this polling place is ______;
The number of identification certificates signed at this polling place is ______;
The number of rejected ballots at this polling place is ______;
The number of spoiled ballots at this polling place is ______;
The number of ballots received at this polling place which were not cast at this election is ______;
AB
CD
EF
XP
2. At each polling place using paper ballots, two tally sheets shall be included in each tally book. The tally sheets shall be in substantially the following form:
NAMES OF PERSONS VOTED FOR AND
FOR WHAT OFFICE AND THE NUMBER
OF VOTES CAST FOR EACH PERSON
Office
Candidates
Tally of Votes
Total Votes
MC
Governor
HK
EH
Representative
SS
in
RK
Congress
CB
VOTES FOR AND AGAINST EACH QUESTION
Question
Tally of votes FOR
Tally of votes AGAINST
Total of votes FOR
Total of votes AGAINST
1. To_____
______
______
2. To_____
______
__________________
__________________
Signature of Recording
Signature of Recording
Judge
Judge
(of different political party)
3. At each polling place using paper ballots, two statements of returns shall be provided to the election judges. The statements of returns shall be in substantially the following form:
We hereby certify that MC had ______ votes for governor, and HK had ______ votes for governor and EH had ______ votes for governor; that SS had ______ votes for representative in Congress, etc.
We hereby certify that proposition number 1 received ______ votes for and ______ votes against; constitutional amendment number 1 received ______ votes for and ______ votes against, etc.
We, the duly qualified and acting Judges of the polling place for ______ precincts, at the general (special, primary) election held on the ______ of ______, 20______, in ______ county (City of St. Louis, Kansas City), Missouri do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full and accurate return of all votes cast at this polling place for all candidates and for and against all questions.
AB
CD Election Judges
EF
XP
­­--------
(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.035)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.463 - Procedure after statements of returns signed (paper ballots).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.463. Procedure after statements of returns signed (paper ballots). —
Immediately after signing the statements of returns, the election judges shall enclose the voted ballots, tally books, tally sheets, statements of returns and other election supplies in containers designated by the election authority.
­­--------
(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.040)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.465 - Procedure for returning voted ballots (paper ballots).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.465. Procedure for returning voted ballots (paper ballots). —
1. If the election authority directs the voted ballots to be returned in a ballot box, the box shall be locked and the key removed. Each election judge shall write his name on a strip of paper which shall be pasted over the keyhole of the ballot box and extended over the upper lid of the box and over the top for some distance. The strip shall be pasted in such a manner that the signatures extend across the keyhole and place of opening so that if the box is opened or the key inserted in the keyhole, the paper will be torn and the signatures destroyed. The paper shall be fastened with an adhesive material which will not permit removal of the strip without defacing it.
2. If the election authority directs the voted ballots to be returned in an envelope or other container, the container shall be sealed. Each election judge shall write his name on a strip of paper which shall be pasted over the opening of the container. The strip shall be pasted in such a manner that the signatures extend across the place of opening so that if the container is opened, the paper will be torn and the signatures destroyed. The paper shall be fastened with an adhesive material which will not permit removal of the strip without defacing it.
3. On the outside of the ballot box or other container in which the ballots are returned, the location of the polling place and the date of the election shall be printed.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.045)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.467 - Duties of judges after polls close (electronic voting).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
115.467. Duties of judges after polls close (electronic voting). —
1. As soon as the polls close in each polling place using an electronic voting system, the election judges shall secure the marking devices against further voting and begin to count the write-in votes. If earlier counting of write-in votes is begun pursuant to section 115.469, the election judges shall complete the count in the manner provided in this section. Once begun, the count shall not be adjourned or postponed until all proper write-in votes in the ballot box have been counted.
2. The election judges shall remove the ballot cards from the ballot box and separate the ballots with write-in votes from those without write-in votes. If there is a separate form for write-in votes, all forms on which write-in votes have been recorded shall be consecutively numbered, starting with the number one, and the same number shall be placed on the ballot card of the voter. Where tallying of write-in votes is to be done at the polling place, the election judges shall compare the write-in votes with the votes cast on the ballot card. If the total number of votes including write-in votes for any office exceeds the number allowed by law, or if a voter has voted more than once for the same person for the same office at the same election, a notation of the fact shall be noted on the back of the ballot card, and it shall be returned with the write-in form, if any, to the counting location in an envelope marked "DEFECTIVE BALLOTS".
3. All proper write-in votes shall be read, recorded and counted as provided in sections 115.449 and 115.453. No write-in vote shall be counted for any candidate for any office whose name appears on the ballot label as a candidate for the office, except when more than one person is to be nominated or elected to an office. When more than one person is to be nominated or elected to an office, the voter may write in the names of one or more persons whose names do not appear on the ballot label with or without the names of one or more persons whose names do appear.
4. If any ballot card is damaged so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the fact shall be noted on the back of the ballot card and it shall be returned to the counting location in the envelope marked "DEFECTIVE BALLOTS".
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.050, A.L. 1978 S.B. 582)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.468 - Write-in votes may be tallied at counting center.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
115.468. Write-in votes may be tallied at counting center. —
At the discretion of the election authority, the verification and tallying of write-in votes may be done at the counting center by teams of election authority employees in lieu of at the polling place.
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(L. 1978 S.B. 582)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.471 - Certification of tally book and statements of returns as to write-in votes (electronic voting).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 1983
115.471. Certification of tally book and statements of returns as to write-in votes (electronic voting). —
At each polling place using an electronic voting system, after the polling place is closed, the election judges shall
(1) Certify in the tally book: the number of ballots cast by reconciling the ballot stubs against the number of identification certificates signed; the number of defective and spoiled ballots; the number of ballots with write-in votes; and the number of ballots received at the polling place which were not cast at the election. If the number of signed identification certificates is not the same as the number of ballots cast, the judges shall make a signed statement of the fact and the reasons therefor, if known, and shall return the statement with the statements of returns;
(2) Where tallying of write-in votes is to be done at the polling place, certify on two statements of returns the number of write-in votes received by each candidate. No returns shall be signed in blank or before the polls have closed and all proper write-in votes cast at the polling place have been counted;
(3) Certify that each statement made in the tally book and on each statement of returns is correct. If any judge declines to certify that all such statements are correct, he shall state his reasons in writing, which shall be attached to each statement of returns and returned with the statement to the election authority.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.055, A.L. 1978 S.B. 582, A.L. 1983 S.B. 234)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.473 - Tally book, form of (electronic voting).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
115.473. Tally book, form of (electronic voting). —
1. The tally book for each polling place using an electronic voting system shall be in substantially the following form:
Tally book for ______ precincts, at the general (special, primary) election held on the ______ day of ______, 20______ AB, CD, EF, and XP judges; and ZR and LT, watchers; and BH and SP, challengers, at this polling place, were sworn as the law directs before beginning their duties.
We hereby certify:
The number of ballots received at this polling place is ______;
The information on the ballot cards and ballot labels received at this polling place is the same as the information on the sample ballots received at this polling place.
AB
CD Election Judges
EF
XP
We hereby certify:
The number of ballots cast at this polling place is ______;
The number of identification certificates signed at this polling place is ______;
The number of defective ballots at this polling place is ______;
The number of spoiled ballots at this polling place is ______;
The number of voters casting proper write-in votes at this polling place is ______;
The number of ballots received at this polling place which were not cast at this election is ______;
AB
CD Election Judges
EF
XP
2. Where tallying of write-in votes is to be done at the polling place, at each polling place using an electronic voting system, two tally sheets shall be included in each tally book. The tally sheets shall be used to record the proper write-in votes and shall be in substantially the same form provided in subsection 2 of section 115.461.
3. Where tallying of write-in votes is to be done at the polling place, at each polling place using an electronic voting system, two statements of returns shall be provided to the election judges. The statements of returns shall be in substantially the following form:
We hereby certify that BK had ______ write-in votes for governor, and SF had ______ write-in votes for governor, that JH had ______ write-in votes for representative in Congress, etc. We, the duly qualified and acting judges of the polling place for ______ precincts, at the general (special, primary) election held on the ______ day of ______, 20______, in ______ County (City of St. Louis, Kansas City), Missouri, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full and accurate return of all write-in votes cast at this polling place for all candidates.
AB
CD Election Judges
EF
XP
­­--------
(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.060, A.L. 1978 S.B. 582)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.475 - Return of ballots, memory cards, and election materials, procedure for (electronic voting).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2014
115.475. Return of ballots, memory cards, and election materials, procedure for (electronic voting). —
1. As soon as possible after signing the statements of returns, the election judges shall seal and enclose the ballots, electronic voting machine memory cards, write-in forms containing no votes, the unused ballots and other election supplies in containers designated by the election authority.
2. Immediately after the election materials have been placed in the proper containers, the two supervisory judges shall together deliver the containers to the counting location or other place designated by the election authority. If any container is not sealed when it is delivered to the counting location or other place designated by the election authority, the election official receiving the container shall make a statement of the fact which includes the location of the polling place and the date of the election printed on the container and the reason the container is not sealed, if known.
3. If the election authority has directed the supervisory judges to deliver election materials to a place other than the counting location, the election authority shall appoint at least one team of election judges who shall receive the containers from the supervisory judges and immediately deliver them to the counting location. Each team appointed pursuant to this subsection shall consist of two election judges or employees of the election authority, one from each major political party.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.065, A.L. 1983 S.B. 234, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1136)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.477 - Ballots, procedure for counting (electronic voting).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2014
115.477. Ballots, procedure for counting (electronic voting). —
1. In each jurisdiction using an electronic voting system, all proceedings at the counting location shall be under the direction of the election authority. The election authority shall appoint two judges, one from each major political party, to be present and observe the count. The counting shall be open to the public, but no persons, except those employed and authorized for the purpose, shall touch any ballot, ballot container or return.
2. The automatic tabulating equipment shall produce a return showing the total number of votes cast for each candidate and on each question at each polling place and in the jurisdiction as a whole.
3. If any ballot is damaged and cannot be properly counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, it may be handcounted in the manner provided for absentee ballots, or a true duplicate copy may be made of the defective ballot. If any ballot contains a number of votes and write-in votes for any office which exceeds the number allowed by law, it may be handcounted in the manner provided for absentee ballots, a true duplicate copy be made which does not include the invalid votes or, at the discretion of the election judges, a self-adhesive removable label, sensitized, may be placed over any mark to allow the ballot to be processed through the automatic tabulating equipment. The duplication of each ballot shall be closely observed by two election judges or employees of the election authority, one from each major political party. Each duplicate ballot shall be clearly labeled "duplicate", shall bear a serial number which shall be recorded on the defective ballot, and shall be counted in lieu of the defective ballot.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.070, A.L. 1979 S.B. 275, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1136)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.479 - Tabulating equipment to be tested, when (electronic voting).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2014
115.479. Tabulating equipment to be tested, when (electronic voting). —
In each jurisdiction using an electronic voting system, the election authority shall, after the count has been completed and the results received, have the automatic tabulating equipment tested to ascertain that the equipment has correctly counted the votes for all offices and on all questions. The test shall be observed by at least two persons designated by the election authority, one from each major political party, and shall be open to the public. The test shall be conducted by processing the same preaudited group of ballots used in the preelection test provided for in section 115.233. If any error is detected, the cause shall be ascertained and corrected, and an errorless count shall be made before the final results are announced. After the completion of an errorless count, the programs and the ballots shall be sealed, retained and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.075, A.L. 1997 S.B. 132, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1136)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.481 - Official return of polling place, contents of (electronic voting).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.481. Official return of polling place, contents of (electronic voting). —
The final and correct return printed by the automatic tabulating equipment added to the write-in, absentee and handcounted votes shall be the official return of each polling place and the jurisdiction.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.080)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.483 - Duties of judge after polls close (voting machines).

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2014
115.483. Duties of judge after polls close (voting machines). —
1. As soon as the polls close in each polling place using electronic voting machines, the election judges shall secure each voting machine against further voting and proceed to count the votes. Once begun, the count shall not be adjourned or postponed until all proper votes have been counted.
2. The election judges shall open the counting compartment on each voting machine or, if a machine is equipped with a device for printing, embossing or photographing the registering counters, the judges shall operate the machine to produce a record of the counters. One counting judge shall read the total vote cast for each candidate and for and against each question on each machine. The other counting judge shall watch and verify each total as it is being read from the recording counters or from the record of the counters. The two recording judges shall each record the votes cast for each candidate and for and against each question as they are called out and verified by the counting judges.
3. All proper write-in votes shall be read, recorded and counted as provided in sections 115.449 and 115.453. No write-in vote shall be counted for any candidate for any office whose name appears on the ballot label as a candidate for the office, except when more than one person is to be nominated or elected to an office. When more than one person is to be nominated or elected to an office, the voter may write in the names of one or more persons whose names do not appear on the ballot label with or without the names of one or more persons whose names do appear. No write-in vote shall be counted unless it is cast in the appropriate place on the machine.
4. If more than one voting machine is used in a polling place, the election judges shall read, verify and record all the totals from the first machine before proceeding to the second, and so on, until all of the totals on each machine in the polling place have been read, verified and recorded. The total number of votes from each machine shall be added to the write-in votes to determine the total vote for each candidate and for and against each question.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.085, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1136)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.491 - Supervisory judges to return ballots and supplies to election authority, when.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.491. Supervisory judges to return ballots and supplies to election authority, when. —
1. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this subchapter, the two supervisory judges, one from each major political party, shall return the voted ballots, the ballots marked "REJECTED", "SPOILED", and "DEFECTIVE", the tally sheets, tally books and statements of returns, the registration records and other election supplies from each polling place to the election authority as soon as possible, but in no case later than two hours after the signing of the returns at the polling place. The election authority shall keep its office open until all ballots, returns and other election materials have been received. If any voted ballot container is not sealed, the election authority shall make a written statement of the facts which includes the location of the polling place and date of the election printed on the container and the reason the container is not sealed, if known.
2. If the election authority directs the voted ballots to be returned in a ballot box, one supervisory judge shall return the ballot box, one set of tally sheets and one statement of returns. The other supervisory judge shall return the keys to the ballot box, the tally book, the other set of tally sheets and the other statement of returns. If the election authority directs the voted ballots or write-in votes to be returned in sacks or other containers, one supervisory judge shall return the containers of voted ballots, one set of tally sheets and one statement of returns. The other supervisory judge shall return the other set of tally sheets and the other statement of returns.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.105)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.493 - Ballots and records to be kept twenty-two months, may be inspected, when.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2013, 2 histories
115.493. Ballots and records to be kept twenty-two months, may be inspected, when. —
The election authority shall keep all voted ballots, ballot cards, processed ballot materials in electronic form and write-in forms, and all applications, statements, certificates, affidavits and computer programs relating to each election for twenty-two months after the date of the election. During the time that voted ballots, ballot cards, processed ballot materials in electronic form and write-in forms are kept by the election authority, it shall not open or inspect them or allow anyone else to do so, except upon order of a legislative body trying an election contest, a court or a grand jury. After twenty-two months, the ballots, ballot cards, processed ballot materials in electronic form, write-in forms, applications, statements, certificates, affidavits and computer programs relating to each election may be destroyed. If an election contest, grand jury investigation or civil or criminal case relating to the election is pending at the time, however, the materials shall not be destroyed until the contest, investigation or case is finally determined.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.110, A.L. 2002 S.B. 675, A.L. 2013 S.B. 99)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.495 - Electronic voting machine to be kept secured — machine unlocked, when — election contest, initial election data to be removed and secured before subsequent election.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2014
115.495. Electronic voting machine to be kept secured — machine unlocked, when — election contest, initial election data to be removed and secured before subsequent election. —
1. After being secured against further voting by the election judges, electronic voting machines shall remain secured for the period provided by law for filing an election contest and as much longer as may be necessary or advisable because of any threatened or pending contest, grand jury investigation, or civil or criminal case relating to the election. During this time, the electronic voting machines shall not be unsecured, except upon order of a court, grand jury or legislative body trying an election contest.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of this section to the contrary, when an election is required by law to be held after an election during any period of time described in subsection 1 of this section, the data of the electronic voting machine relating to the initial election shall be removed and secured and such machine shall be made available for use in the subsequent election.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.115, A.L. 1988 H.B. 1216, A.L. 1997 S.B. 132, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1136)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.497 - Verification board to convene, when.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.497. Verification board to convene, when. —
As soon as practicable after each election, the election authority shall convene a verification board to verify the count and certify the results of the election.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.130)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.499 - Verification board, how constituted.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 1993
115.499. Verification board, how constituted. —
1. Where the election authority is a board of election commissioners, the board of election commissioners shall be the verification board.
2. Where the election authority is a county clerk, the county clerk and two verification judges, one from each major political party, shall be the verification board. The county clerk may, as he deems necessary, designate an even number of additional verification judges, one-half from one major political party and one-half from the other major political party. The verification judges shall possess the same qualifications as election judges. Not later than the second Tuesday preceding an election, the county clerk shall request and the county committee of each major political party in the jurisdiction of the election authority shall submit to the election authority a list containing the names of at least six persons qualified to serve on the verification board. Not later than the first Tuesday preceding the election, the election authority shall appoint not less than one person from each of the lists to serve on the verification board. If either county committee fails to present the prescribed number of names of qualified persons by the time prescribed, the election authority shall select and appoint a member or members of the verification board from the party.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.305, A.L. 1993 S.B. 31)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.501 - Verification board, duties of — meetings, when.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.501. Verification board, duties of — meetings, when. —
As soon as possible after an election in which paper ballots or ballot cards are used, the verification board shall meet and check the addition and figures on all tally sheets and statements of returns and shall compare its record with the returns made by the election judges and the election authority on the day of the election. Before meeting, the verification board shall give notice of the time and place of the meeting to each independent and new party candidate and the chairman of the county committee of each political party named on the ballot at the election. The meeting and proceedings of the verification board shall be open to a representative of each independent candidate and political party named on the ballot. If there is a discrepancy between the returns of the election judges and the election authority and the record of the verification board, the verification board shall correct the returns made by the judges and election authority to conform to its record. The corrected returns shall supersede the returns made by the election judges and the election authority on election day. Both the record and the returns shall be retained by the election authority as provided in section 115.493.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.310)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.503 - Verification board to inspect or cause inspection of secured electronic voting machines.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 2014
115.503. Verification board to inspect or cause inspection of secured electronic voting machines. —
1. As soon as possible after an election in which electronic voting machines are used, the verification board, or a bipartisan committee appointed by the verification board, shall inspect each secured electronic voting machine and record the votes cast on the machine. In precincts where electronic voting machines equipped with printed election returns mechanisms are used, the counter compartment shall not be opened and the original and duplicate originals of the printed return sheets of the votes cast on questions and for candidates regularly nominated, or who have duly filed, together with the tabulation and inclusion of any votes written in on the paper roll for those not regularly nominated, or who have not filed, shall constitute the official return sheet for the votes cast on that machine, when properly certified by the precinct election officers. One copy of such printed return sheet shall be returned to the election authority and retained by it for not less than one year. Any bipartisan committee appointed pursuant to this subsection shall consist of at least two people, one from each major political party, who shall be appointed in the same manner and possess the same qualifications as election judges.
2. After the verification board or committee has completed its inspection and record, it shall compare the record with the returns made by the election judges on election day. If there is a discrepancy between the returns of the election judges and the record of the verification board or committee, the verification board shall correct the returns made by the judges to conform to its record. The corrected returns shall supersede the returns made by the election judges on election day. Both the record and the returns shall be retained by the election authority as provided in section 115.493.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.315, A.L. 1978 S.B. 774, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1136)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.505 - Corrected returns prima facie evidence in election contests.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.505. Corrected returns prima facie evidence in election contests. —
In case of an election contest, the corrected returns of the verification board shall be prima facie evidence of the vote at the election to the same extent and in the same manner as are the returns of the election judges and election authority on election day.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.320)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.508 - Certification of election prohibited prior to noon on Friday after election day.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jul 2014, see footnote
115.508. Certification of election prohibited prior to noon on Friday after election day. —
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no election authority or verification board shall certify election results, as required under section 115.507, before noon on the Friday after election day.
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(L. 2013 S.B. 116 § 2)
Effective 7-01-14
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.509 - Messenger to be sent for abstract of votes, when.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 01 Jan 1978, see footnote
115.509. Messenger to be sent for abstract of votes, when. —
If the secretary of state fails to receive any abstract for one mail after it is due, he shall dispatch a messenger to the county not returned, with the direction to deliver the abstract, unless circumstances clearly justify a longer delay, which in no case shall exceed thirty days.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.330)
Effective 1-01-78
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title IX - Suffrage and Elections › Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections › Section 115.511 - Board of state canvassers to convene, when — secretary of state to announce results, when.

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 115
• Effective - 28 Aug 1997
115.511. Board of state canvassers to convene, when — secretary of state to announce results, when. —
1. The secretary of state shall convene the board of state canvassers to total the abstracts of each primary election and the board shall, not later than two weeks after receiving all required abstracts from the primary election, issue a statement announcing the results of the primary election for federal officers, governor, lieutenant governor, state senators and representatives, circuit judges, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer and state auditor.
2. The secretary of state shall convene the board of state canvassers to total the abstracts of each general election and the board shall, not later than the second Tuesday in December following the general election, issue a statement announcing the results of the general election for federal officers, governor, lieutenant governor, state senators and representatives, circuit judges, appellate and circuit judges subject to the provisions of Article V, Section 25 of the State Constitution, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer and state auditor.
3. The secretary of state shall convene the board of state canvassers to total the abstracts of each special election at which the name of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of United States senator, representative in Congress, governor, lieutenant governor, state senator, state representative, circuit judge not subject to the provisions of Article V, Section 25 of the State Constitution, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer or state auditor, or at which an initiative, referendum or constitutional amendment appears on the ballot, and the board shall, not later than two weeks after receiving all required abstracts from the election, issue a statement announcing the results of the election for such office or on such question.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 12.335, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 1997 S.B. 132)
(1980) "Official announcement" of results of primary election for state office is announcement of Secretary of State pursuant to final determination of primary election results by board of state canvassers, and not announcement by county clerk. Black v. Bockenkamp (A.), 607 S.W.2d 176.