Section 17-9-25

Instruction and assistance for voters at polls.

(a) The election officers shall, with the aid of the diagrams herein authorized, and the mechanically operated model, instruct each voter before he enters the voting machine booth, regarding the operation of the machine, and shall give the voter opportunity personally to operate the model. No voter shall be permitted to receive any assistance in voting at any election, unless he shall first state in writing upon printed forms supplied for that purpose and under oath or affirmation, which shall be administered to him by the inspector, that he is blind or that he cannot read the names on the voting machines, or that, by reason of physical disability, he is unable to see the machine or prepare it for voting, or to enter the voting machine booth without assistance. The voter shall state the specific physical disability which requires him to receive assistance. Thereupon the voter may request assistance of two inspectors of his choice or some other person of his own choice, and he shall be assisted by the two election officials of his choice or by such other person, who shall aid him in voting, and the inspector shall forthwith enter in writing on the record of assisted voters: the voter's name; the fact that the voter cannot read the names on the voting machine, if that be the reason for requiring assistance and, otherwise, the specific physical disability which requires him to receive assistance; and the name of the election officials or such other person furnishing the assistance; but if any voter, after entering the voting machine booth, and before the closing of such booth, shall ask for further instructions concerning the manner of voting, he may choose an election officer, who shall give him such instructions, but no official giving a voter such instructions shall, in any manner, request, suggest or seek to persuade or induce any such voter to vote any particular ticket, or for any particular candidate, or for or against any particular question. After giving such instructions, and before the elector closes the booth or votes, the election officer shall retire, and the voter shall forthwith vote.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any official to assist a voter who has not made the oath required herein, or for an official or any other person to do anything to enable himself to see how any voter votes other than in the course of assisting a voter as provided herein.

(Acts 1949, No. 584, p. 911; Acts 1959, No. 406, p. 1038.)