Section 17-9-18

Preliminaries of opening polls.

The key or keys to the voting machine or machines shall be delivered to the inspector of each poll at least 30 minutes before the time for opening of the polls, the seal of the envelope containing the same to be unbroken. The seal shall be broken by the inspector only in the presence of at least two authorized watchers for opposing interests (if such there be), and shall only be broken after comparison shows that the number written on the envelope and the number shown in the protective counter are identical. If these numbers are found not to be the same, the seal shall not be broken until the judge of probate or the city clerk, as the case may be, or their representative, shall arrive and deliver the correct keys or until another and properly sealed machine is delivered. If the numbers written on the envelope and the respective numbers on the seal and on the protective counter are found to be the same, the inspector shall open the doors concealing the counters. And, before the polls are declared open, the election officials and each authorized watcher, or any person interested, shall carefully examine each and every counter and see that it registers zero. All of those last enumerated then shall examine the ballots and satisfy themselves they are in their proper places on the machine. The election officials shall cause to be conspicuously placed the sample ballots and model for the guidance of the voters. All of the persons authorized to be in the polls shall satisfy themselves that the voting machine is properly placed, and that the face of the machine is turned toward where the election officials and the public may obtain a clear and unobstructed view of the same at all times, except when the curtain on the machine is closed for the casting of the ballot. The election officials and at least two watchers of opposing interests (if any there be) shall then sign a certificate setting out that the keys were delivered intact, that the numbers on the protective counter and the seal correspond with that on the envelope, that all the counters were set at zero, and that the ballot labels were in their proper places. If any counter, however, shall be found not to register zero, the inspector shall summon the custodian of the machine, who shall set the counter back to zero. The machine shall then be opened for voting and the polls formally declared open.

(Acts 1939, No. 292, p. 443; Code 1940, T. 17, §102; Acts 1949, No. 681, p. 1051.)