§ 2.16.160. Voting procedures at poll.

A.

Before issuing any ballots the election board must, in the presence of any persons assembled at the polling place, open and exhibit the ballot box to be used at the polling place. The ballot box shall then be closed and shall not be opened again or removed from the polling place until the polls have closed. At all times while the polls are open for voting, the ballot box shall be kept placed outside the voting booths in plain view of the election officials, voters and other persons at the polling place.

B.

The election board shall keep an original register in which each voter, before receiving his or her ballot, shall sign his or her name and give both his or her residence and mailing address. A record shall be kept in the registration book in the space provided of the name of persons who offer to vote but who actually do not vote, and a brief explanation. The signing of the register constitutes a declaration by the voter that he or she is qualified to vote.

C.

Each voter shall exhibit to an election judge, before being given a ballot, one form of identification including, but not limited to, an official voter registration card, driver's license, birth certificate, passport, hunting or fishing license. An election judge may waive the identification requirement if the judge knows the identity of the voter. A voter who cannot exhibit a required form of identification shall be allowed to vote a questioned ballot.

D.

When the voter has qualified to vote, the election judge shall give him an official ballot. The voter shall retire to a booth or private place to mark the ballot. The ballot must be voted at the polling place and no ballot may be removed from the polling place until the election judges have completed their duties.

E.

A qualified voter who cannot read, mark the ballot, or sign his or her name may request an election judge or a person of his or her choice to assist him or her. Any person rendering such assistance shall state upon oath before an election judge that he or she will not divulge the vote cast by the person whom he or she assists.

F.

If a voter improperly marks or otherwise damages a ballot, or signs his or her name may request an election judge, concealing the manner in which the ballot has been marked, and shall request a new ballot. The election judge shall destroy the damaged ballot after having recorded its number and shall issue a new ballot to the voter. A voter may request replacement of a damaged ballot no more than three times.

G.

A voter may not remain in or occupy a voting booth longer than is necessary to mark the ballot, and in no event longer than five minutes.

H.

When a voter has marked the ballot, the voter shall fold the ballot once in such a way to leave visible only the portion of the ballot containing the number, and the voter shall present the folded ballot to an election judge. The election judge, without unfolding the ballot, shall cut off the number and immediately deposit the ballot in the ballot box in the presence of the voter. The portions of the ballots containing the numbers shall be placed upon a spindle or other device so that at the conclusion of all voting, they may be counted. The number of such portions shall equal the number of ballots issued by the election judges.

I.

Fifteen (15) minutes before closing the polls the time remaining before closure shall be proclaimed. When the polls are closed for the purpose of voting, that fact shall likewise be proclaimed and thereafter no ballot shall be issued except to those voters who are present and waiting their turn to vote.

(Prior code § 3.01.140)