Sec. 27. (a) After the delivery of a ballot card voting system to a precinct or vote center, the precinct election board may meet at the polls on the same day and open the package containing the sample ballot cards, to determine whether the system is ready for use in accordance with section 16 of this chapter. If a ballot card voting system is not in compliance with that section, the board shall immediately label, set and adjust, and place the system in order or have it done.

     (b) While acting under subsection (a), the precinct election board may restrict access to parts of the room where marking devices and other election material are being handled to safeguard this material.

     (c) On the morning of election day, the precinct election officers shall meet at the polls at least one (1) hour before the time for opening the polls. The inspector then shall have:

(1) the boundaries of the chute designated;

(2) the instruction cards and either the:

(A) sample ballots; or

(B) notice under section 10(b) or 10(c) of this chapter;

posted; and

(3) everything put in readiness for the commencement of voting at the opening of the polls.

     (d) Before the opening of the polls, the precinct election officers shall do the following:

(1) Compare the ballot cards used in the marking device with the sample ballots furnished and determine whether the names, numbers, and letters are in agreement.

(2) Determine that the system records that zero (0) votes have been cast for each candidate and on each public question.

(3) Assure that the system is otherwise in perfect order.

     (e) The officers then shall certify that:

(1) the marking device and the sample ballots are in agreement;

(2) the system records zero (0) votes cast; and

(3) the system appears to be in perfect order.

Forms shall be provided for certification, and the certification shall be filed with the election returns.

     (f) This subsection applies to a county using vote centers. Not later than the first date that a voter may cast a ballot at a vote center, the county election board shall do both of the following:

(1) Make the comparison between the sample ballots, regular official ballots, and provisional ballots as provided in subsection (d).

(2) Certify that the ballots are in agreement.

A copy of the certification shall be entered into the minutes of the county election board.

     (g) This subsection applies to a county using vote centers. The county election board shall do all of the following:

(1) Have copies of each sample ballot for each precinct available for inspection by a voter at each vote center.

(2) Post a notice in the vote center stating that sample ballots are available for inspection upon request by the voter.

(3) Determine that the system records that zero (0) votes have been cast for each candidate and on each public question and complete the required certification under subsection (e).

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

As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.311; P.L.3-1997, SEC.322; P.L.221-2005, SEC.81; P.L.278-2019, SEC.107; P.L.227-2023, SEC.98.