Section 168.781 - Election inspectors and poll clerks; opening of polls, examination of machine seals and counter, delivery of keys, other duties. - Michigan Statutes

MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)
Act 116 of 1954

168.781 Election inspectors and poll clerks; opening of polls, examination of machine seals and counter, delivery of keys, other duties.

Sec. 781.

The inspectors of election and poll clerks, if any, of each district shall meet at the polling place therein, at least 1/2 hour before the time set for the opening of the polls at such election, and shall proceed to arrange within the guard rail the furniture and voting machine for the conduct of the election. The inspectors of election shall then and there have the voting machine, ballots and stationery required to be delivered to them for such election, and the registry of the electors required to be made and kept therefor. The inspectors shall thereupon cause at least 2 instruction cards to be posted conspicuously within the polling place. If not previously done, they shall insert in their proper place on the voting machine the ballot labels containing the names of the offices to be filled at such election, the names of the candidates nominated therefor and the question, if any, to be voted upon. The keys of the voting machines shall be delivered to the election officers or chairman of the election board not more than 24 hours nor less than 1/2 hour before the time set for opening the polls, in a sealed envelope, on which shall be written or printed the number and location of the voting machine, the number on the seal and, if provided with a protective counter, the number registered on such counter as reported by the clerk or his authorized assistants: Provided, That where key rings to which are attached the keys to the voting machines, with tags bearing the numbers of the machines and of the wards and/or precincts, are delivered by the local law enforcement agency, the number on the seal and of the protective counter, if any, shall be recorded in the statement of returns. Before opening the machine, at least 2 of the officers present shall examine the number of the seal on the machine, also the number registered on the protective counter, if one is provided, and shall see if they are the same as recorded on the envelope containing the keys or on the statement of returns. If found not to agree, the machine must not be opened until the clerk, or the assistant duly appointed and authorized to act for such clerk, shall have been notified and shall have presented himself at the polling place for the purpose of re-examining such machine and shall certify that it is properly arranged. If the numbers on the seal and the protective counter, if one is provided, are found to agree with the numbers on the envelope or statement of returns, the inspectors shall proceed to open the doors concealing the counters. Before the polls are opened for the election, each inspector shall carefully examine every candidate and question counter and see that it registers zero, and the same shall be subject to the inspection of the official challengers who may be present. If any counter for a candidate or question is found not to register zero, the inspectors of election shall immediately notify the county, city or township clerk, under whose direction such machine has been prepared for election, and said clerk or the assistant appointed by him shall adjust the counter at zero, re-examine the machine and certify to its proper adjustment for use in the election. During the examination of the voting machine by the inspectors of election, the machine shall remain locked against voting until the polls are formally opened, and shall not be operated except by the electors in voting, or by the inspectors in recording absent voters' ballots.

History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code