Opinion ID: 1364196
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 22

Heading: early count of punch card ballots

Text: We agree with the superior court's conclusion that the early count of punch card ballots was permissible and did not constitute malconduct. AS 15.15.330 authorizes the early counting of paper ballots in precincts having 300 or more voters, which have been designated by the lieutenant governor. This early count provision also applies to punch card ballots, since we have decided that a punch card ballot is a form of paper ballot. ( See discussion of use of punch cards for challenged and questioned ballots supra. ) Punch card ballots are not distinguishable from paper ballots, either in the context of early counting or in the context of segregation of questioned and challenged ballots. The statutory distinction is rather between paper ballots and machine ballots. Under AS 15.15.330 paper ballots, including punch card ballots, may be counted early. Under the authority of AS 15.15.010 and 15.15.330, the lieutenant governor has promulgated regulations which govern the early counting of ballots. See 6 AAC 23.010-070. These regulations were presumably promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, AS 44.62.010-650, as required by Coghill v. Boucher, 511 P.2d 1297 (Alaska 1973), and the early count was carried out in substantial compliance with them. We therefore hold that the early count of punch card ballots was authorized by statute and properly conducted under the applicable regulations.