115.449. Ballots, when and how counted.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

115.449. Ballots, when and how counted.

Ballots, when and how counted.

115.449. 1. As soon as the polls close in each polling place usingpaper ballots, the election judges shall begin to count the votes. Ifearlier counting is begun pursuant to section 115.451, the election judgesshall complete the count in the manner provided by this section. Oncebegun, no count shall be adjourned or postponed until all proper votes havebeen 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, holdingeach ballot in such a way that the other counting judge may read it, shallread the name of each candidate properly voted for and the office sought byeach. As each vote is called out, the recording judges shall each recordthe vote on a tally sheet. The votes for and against all questions shalllikewise be read and recorded. If more than one political subdivision orspecial district is holding an election on the same day at the same pollingplace and using separate ballots, the counting judges may separate theballots of each political subdivision and special district and first readone set, then the next and so on until all proper votes have been counted.

3. After all of the proper votes on a ballot have been counted, theballot shall be strung on a wire or string in the order read. After allthe ballots have been read and strung and after the recording judges agreeon the count, the wire or string shall be tied in a firm knot, and the knotshall be sealed so that it cannot be untied without breaking the seal.Rejected and spoiled ballots shall not be strung but shall be placed inseparate containers marked "REJECTED" and "SPOILED".

4. After the recording of all proper votes, the recording judgesshall compare their tallies. When the recording judges agree on the count,they shall sign both of the tally sheets, and one of the recording judgesshall announce in a loud voice the total number of votes for each candidateand for and against each question.

5. After the announcement of the vote, the election judges shallrecord the vote totals in the appropriate places on each statement ofreturns. If any tally sheet or statement of returns contains no headingfor any question, the election judges shall write the necessary headings onthe tally sheet or statement of returns.