The sheriff of each county shall, on each day of election, be present in person or by deputy at all election precincts where elections are held in the county, and shall preserve good order; and, in order that every elector who desires to vote may do so without interference or interruption, such sheriff or deputy may specially deputize a sufficient force to act at all election precincts on the day of any election that the sheriff or deputy may deem necessary.

Any sheriff or deputy who wilfully or corruptly fails to perform any duty imposed by this section, on conviction, shall be punished in accordance with Section 17-17-2.