Sec. 21. (a) As soon as the ballots have been counted, the absentee ballot counters shall, in the presence of the county election board, do the following:

(1) Place in a strong paper envelope or bag the following:

(A) All ballots, voted and not voted, together with all protested and uncounted ballots.

(B) One (1) copy of each of the certificates prepared under IC 3-11.5-4-1 and IC 3-11.5-4-8.

(C) The tally papers.

(2) Securely seal the envelope or bag.

(3) Have both absentee ballot counters initial the envelope or bag.

(4) Plainly mark on the outside of the envelope or bag, in ink, the precinct for which the absentee ballots were cast.

(5) Deliver the envelope or bag to the circuit court clerk.

(6) Notify the circuit court clerk of the number of ballots placed in the envelope or bag.

     (b) This subsection applies to a county having a consolidated city. Notwithstanding subsection (a)(4), the absentee ballots may be stored in the order in which the absentee ballots were counted and not in order by precinct.

As added by P.L.3-1993, SEC.176 and P.L.19-1993, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.100-2018, SEC.21; P.L.210-2018, SEC.7.