Sec. 10. (a) Each petitioner shall furnish a cash deposit for the payment of costs of the recount chargeable to the petitioner. The minimum amount of the cash deposit is one hundred dollars ($100). The cash deposit shall be deposited in the state recount fund.

     (b) This subsection applies only to a recount of an election for nomination or election to either of the following:

(1) A legislative office in which, on the face of the election returns, the difference between the number of votes cast for the candidate nominated or elected and the petitioner is not more than one percent (1%) of the total votes cast for all candidates for the nomination or office.

(2) An office other than a legislative office in which, on the face of the election returns, the difference between the number of votes cast for the candidate nominated or elected and the petitioner is not more than one percent (1%) of the total votes cast for all candidates for the nomination or office.

If the number of precincts to be recounted exceeds ten (10), the amount of the deposit shall be increased by ten dollars ($10) for each precinct in excess of ten (10).

     (c) This subsection applies only to a recount of an election for nomination or election to either of the following:

(1) A legislative office in which, on the face of the election returns, the difference between the number of votes cast for the candidate nominated or elected and the petitioner is more than one percent (1%) of the total votes cast for the nomination or office.

(2) An office other than a legislative office in which, on the face of the election returns, the difference between the number of votes cast for the candidate nominated or elected and the petitioner is more than one percent (1%) of the total votes cast for the nomination or office.

If the number of precincts to be recounted exceeds ten (10), the amount of the deposit shall be increased by one hundred dollars ($100) for each precinct in excess of ten (10).

     (d) If after a recount, it is determined that a petitioner has been nominated or elected, the deposit furnished by that petitioner shall be returned to that petitioner in full.

     (e) Any unexpended balance remaining in a deposit after payment of the costs of the recount shall be returned to the depositor in the following manner:

(1) If the recount results in a reduction of at least fifty percent (50%) but less than one hundred percent (100%) of the margin of the total certified votes, the petitioner shall receive a refund of that percentage of the unexpended balance.

(2) If after a recount, it is determined that a petitioner has been nominated or elected, the deposit or the bond furnished by that petitioner shall be returned to that petitioner in full.

(3) Any unexpended balance remaining after the provision of subdivision (1) has been satisfied shall be deposited in the state recount fund.

     (f) A member of the commission may appoint an individual to serve as a proxy of record in the member’s place as a member of the commission by filing with the election division a written instrument appointing the proxy of record. The proxy of record has the same authority to act and vote on all matters as does the member. The member may revoke the authority of the proxy of record at any time. The authority of the proxy of record may either be limited or general concerning the duration or subject matter as set forth by the member in the written instrument appointing the proxy.

As added by P.L.7-1986, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.8-1995, SEC.60; P.L.176-1999, SEC.109; P.L.14-2004, SEC.165; P.L.109-2021, SEC.70.