13-19-309. Disposition of ballots returned by mail. - Montana Statutes

     13-19-309. Disposition of ballots returned by mail. (1) Upon receipt of each return/verification envelope, election officials shall:
     (a) compare the name with the official register to determine that the person has not previously voted;
     (b) verify the signature on the affidavit in the manner provided by 13-19-310;
     (c) open the return/verification envelope and retain it as an official record;
     (d) remove and examine the secrecy envelope to determine if the ballot is valid pursuant to 13-19-311;
     (e) if the ballot is valid, record the name of the elector in the official register as having voted; and
     (f) deposit the unopened secrecy envelope containing the ballot in the official ballot box.
     (2) If at any point there is a question concerning the validity of a particular ballot, the question must be resolved as provided in 13-19-314.

     History: En. Sec. 21, Ch. 196, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 77, Ch. 414, L. 2003.