§ 7-5-615 - Tabulation of votes -- Defective ballots -- Certification of returns. - Arkansas Statutes

7-5-615. Tabulation of votes -- Defective ballots -- Certification of returns.

(a) The counting of votes by electronic vote tabulating devices at the courthouse or other central counting location shall be open to the public, and any candidate or political party may be present in person or by representative designated in writing pursuant to 7-5-312 to view the counting.

(b) No person except those employed and authorized for that purpose shall touch any ballot or return.

(c) The election officials at the counting place and all persons operating the electronic vote tabulating devices shall take the same oath required by law for election officials before entering upon their duties.

(d) If any ballot is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the electronic vote tabulating device, a true duplicate copy shall be made of the damaged ballot in the presence of tabulation election officials if the votes are tabulated at a central location. The duplicate shall be substituted for the damaged ballot. All duplicate ballots shall be clearly labeled "duplicate" and shall be counted in lieu of the damaged or defective ballot.

(e) The return printed by the electronic vote tabulating device, to which has been added the return of write-in, early, and absentee votes, shall constitute the official return of each polling site. All returns shall be certified by the election officials in charge of the tabulation thereof in the manner provided by law.

(f) Upon completion of the count, the returns shall be open to the public.