A.  Uncontested elections.  The election returns compiled and promulgated by the secretary of state shall be the official results of a primary or general election for an office if an action contesting the election for that office is not commenced timely.

B.  Contested elections.  If an action contesting a primary or general election is commenced timely, the final judgment in the action contesting the election shall determine the result of the election for that office.  The result of a contested election shall not be official until the final judgment in the action contesting the election becomes definitive.  The secretary of state shall promulgate results of a contested election in accordance with the final judgment of the court as soon as practicable after the final judgment becomes definitive.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.