Sec. 10. (a) After the voting totals have been taken and certified by a precinct election board under section 2(c) of this chapter, the inspector shall:

(1) seal each automatic tabulating machine used in the precinct;

(2) place all ballot cards that have been counted in the container provided for that purpose; and

(3) seal the container into which the ballot cards have been placed;

in the presence of the precinct election board. The automatic tabulating machine may not be moved from the polls after the polls are closed until collected.

     (b) The inspector and judge of the opposite political party shall deliver:

(1) the certification of the vote totals and one (1) copy of the certificate prepared under section 2(c) of this chapter for the circuit court clerk;

(2) the certificate of the vote totals prepared under section 2(c) of this chapter for the news media;

(3) the container in which ballot cards have been placed under subsection (a); and

(4) the unused, uncounted, and defective ballot cards and returns;

to the circuit court clerk.

     (c) The inspector and judge of the opposite political party shall deliver the certificates and the list of voters to the county election board by midnight on election day. However, if:

(1) a ballot card voting system failed;

(2) the failure of the system was reported as required by this title;

(3) paper ballots were used in place of the system; and

(4) the use of the paper ballots caused a substantial delay in the vote counting process;

then the certificates, the list of voters, and the tally papers shall be delivered as soon as possible.

     (d) Upon delivery of the container to the circuit court clerk under subsection (c), the inspector shall take and subscribe an oath before the clerk stating that the inspector:

(1) closed and sealed the container in the presence of the judges and poll clerks;

(2) securely kept the ballot cards in the container;

(3) did not permit any person to open the container or to otherwise touch or tamper with the ballot cards; and

(4) has no knowledge of any other person opening the container.

     (e) Each oath taken under subsection (d) shall be filed in the circuit court clerk’s office with other election papers.

     (f) Upon completion of the counting of the votes by a precinct election board under section 2(c) of this chapter or at a central location, all ballot cards shall be arranged by precincts and kept by the circuit court clerk for the period required by Ind. Code § 3-10-1-31.1. The clerk shall determine the final disposition of all voted ballot cards.

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-5(c) part.]

As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.6-1986, SEC.43; P.L.3-1987, SEC.352; P.L.3-1993, SEC.185; P.L.14-2004, SEC.158; P.L.193-2021, SEC.88.