Missouri Laws 115.447 – Definitions
1. As used in this subchapter, unless the context clearly implies otherwise, the following terms shall mean:
(1) “Counting judges” are the two judges, one from each major political party, who read each vote received by all candidates and each vote for and against all questions at a polling place;
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 115.447
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Automatic tabulating equipment: the apparatus necessary to examine and automatically count votes, and the data processing machines which are used for counting votes and tabulating results and which are air-gapped and not physically able to be connected to a network. See Missouri Laws 115.013
- Ballot: the paper ballot, or ballot designed for use with an electronic voting system on which each voter may cast all votes to which he or she is entitled at an election. See Missouri Laws 115.013
- following: when used by way of reference to any section of the statutes, mean the section next preceding or next following that in which the reference is made, unless some other section is expressly designated in the reference. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Major political party: the political party whose candidates received the highest or second highest number of votes at the last general election. See Missouri Laws 115.013
- Political party: any established political party and any new party. See Missouri Laws 115.013
- Polling place: the voting place designated for all voters residing in one or more precincts for any election. See Missouri Laws 115.013
- Question: any measure on the ballot which can be voted "YES" or "NO". See Missouri Laws 115.013
- voter: is used in the laws of this state it shall mean registered voter, or legal voter. See Missouri Laws 1.035
(2) “Receiving judges” are the two judges, one from each major political party, who initial each voter‘s ballot at a polling place;
(3) “Recording judges” are the two judges, one from each major political party, who tally the votes received by each candidate and for and against each question at a polling place. These terms describe functions rather than individuals, and any election judge may perform more than one function at a polling place on election day.
2. As used in this subchapter, unless the context clearly implies otherwise, the following terms shall mean:
(1) “Defective ballot” is any ballot on which the number of write-in votes and votes cast on the ballot for any office exceed the number allowed by law, and any ballot which is bent or damaged so that it cannot be properly counted by automatic tabulating equipment;
(2) “Rejected ballot” is any ballot on which no votes are counted because the ballot fails to have the initials of the proper election judges, because the number of votes for all offices and on all questions exceeds the number authorized by law, because the voter is deemed by the election judges to be unqualified, because it is an absentee ballot not accompanied by a completed and signed affidavit, or because the ballot was voted with unlawful assistance;
(3) “Spoiled ballot” is any ballot accidentally spoiled by a voter and replaced by election judges in the manner provided in subsection 2 of section 115.439.