Michigan Administrative Code › Department - State › Elections & Campaign Finance › Use of Optical Scan Tabulators by Absentee Voters › Section R. 168.782 - Election inspectors; duties after polls are closed

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 12.
(1) The
				ballot labels and seals of each voting device shall be inspected to ensure that
				they have not been altered and are intact and that seal numbers agree with the
				numbers as verified at the opening of the polls. A discrepancy shall be noted
				in the remarks section of the poll book.
(2) The election inspectors shall open the
				ballot box and remove the ballots. Prior to removing the ballots from their
				envelopes, they shall be counted to determine the total number. The inspector
				shall compare the total number counted with the number of names recorded in the
				poll book. If the ballots are in excess of the number of voters according to
				the poll lists and it is impossible to reconcile the number, 1 of the
				inspectors shall publicly remove as many ballots as shall be equal to the
				excess. The removed ballots, while still in their envelopes, shall be marked
				"EXCESS," placed in an envelope, and sealed. The board shall note on the
				outside of the envelope its contents and place it in the transfer case. A
				notation of the pertinent facts shall be made in the remarks section of the
				poll book. If the number of ballots counted is less than the number of voters
				according to the poll lists, the reason for the discrepancy shall be noted in
				the remarks section of the poll book. If the inspectors are unable to explain
				the discrepancy, they shall so state in the remarks section of the poll book.
				The inspectors' determination shall constitute conclusive and sufficient
				explanation for purposes of a recount.
(3) At an election where a candidate appears
				on the ballot, the election inspectors shall identify each ballot card and its
				corresponding official ballot envelope by utilizing a method of unique
				identification with each. Combination ballot card and write-in ballots shall be
				identified in a like manner.
(4) At
				the discretion of the clerk in charge of the election, the examination of
				ballot cards for damage, hanging chads, distinguishing marks made by the voter,
				and for indications of write-in votes may be done at the precinct or at the
				counting center.
(5) Any
				distinguished ballot shall be placed in an envelope on which the words
				"DISTINGUISHED BALLOT" shall appear. The envelope shall be placed in the
				transfer case. A notation of this occurrence shall be made in the remarks
				section of the poll book.
(6) When
				the ballot cards have been processed and checked, the inspectors shall
				determine that the number of ballot cards which they are submitting to the
				counting center for tabulation agrees with the number of names recorded on the
				poll lists less discrepancies for which notations have been made in the poll
				book. The number of ballot cards which are being submitted for tabulation shall
				be entered in the appropriate place on the certificate prepared by the election
				inspectors.
(7) The election
				inspectors shall prepare a certificate indicating the number of ballot cards
				issued to the precinct, number of ballot cards issued to voters, number of
				spoiled ballot cards, and the number of unused ballot cards. The certificate
				shall be placed in the transfer case or included in the poll book.
(8) The election inspectors shall place into
				the transfer case for delivery, as directed, all of the following:
(a) Voted ballot cards.
(b) Ballot envelopes used in the election,
				unless they are placed and sealed in a separate metal container at which time
				they may be delivered to a place other than the counting center at the
				direction of the clerk.
(c) An
				envelope marked "ORIGINAL BALLOT CARDS FOR WHICH DUPLICATES HAVE BEEN MADE FOR
				ANY REASON" and containing those ballots, if used.
(d) An envelope containing spoiled ballot
				cards.
(e) Envelopes, with
				notations and contents, containing any other issued ballot cards which are not
				to be counted.
(f) A certificate
				signed by the inspectors indicating the number of ballot cards issued, spoiled,
				and unused, unless included in the poll book pursuant to subrule (7).
(g) The write-in tally return sheet, unless
				included in the poll book.
(h)
				Unused ballot cards, unless sealed in a separate container.