Examination Of Poll Books And Ballots

TITLE 34 ELECTIONS CHAPTER 21 ELECTION CONTESTS ACT 34-2113. EXAMINATION OF POLL BOOKS AND BALLOTS. (1)  Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, if, at the time of taking depositions to be used in a contested election, the notice of contest alleges that it is necessary for the determination of the contest that the ballots or the poll books of any election district or districts should be inspected, then, on the request of either party to the contest, the presiding officer may issue an order requiring the county auditor, or other person in whose custody or possession the ballots or poll books may be, naming the district or districts mentioned in the notice, to deliver them to the person or persons issuing the order. The officer or officers must transmit the ballots or poll books to the secretary of state, who must preserve the same unopened until the meeting of the legislature. (2)  Any order issued pursuant to subsection (1) of this section must not be executed until after the time has lapsed for the filing of: (a)  An election contest provided for in chapter 20 of this title; or (b)  A recount filed as provided for in chapter 23 of this title. (c)(i)  If more than one (1) election contest is filed pursuant to chapter 20 or 21 of this title that implicate the same ballots or poll books, or part of the same ballots or poll books, the office of the secretary of state and the appropriate county auditor, or other person in whose custody or possession the ballots or poll books may be, must agree to a process for the examination of ballots or poll books that reasonably accommodates each contest filed. (ii)  If one (1) or more election contests are filed pursuant to chapter 20 or 21 of this title and one (1) or more recounts of ballots are filed pursuant to chapter 23 of this title, and if the election contests and the recounts of ballots implicate the same ballots or poll books, or part of the same ballots or poll books, the office of the secretary of state, the office of the attorney general and the appropriate county auditor or other person in whose custody or possession the ballots or poll books may be must agree to a process for the examination of ballots or poll books that reasonably accommodates each contest filed and each recount of ballots filed.