§11-152  Method of counting.  (a)  In an
election using the paper ballot voting system, immediately after the close of
the polls, the chairperson of the precinct officials shall open the ballot
box.  The precinct officials at the precinct shall proceed to count the votes
as follows:



(1)  The whole number of ballots shall first be
counted to see if their number corresponds with the number of ballots cast as
recorded by the precinct officials;



(2)  If the number of ballots corresponds with the
number of persons recorded by the precinct officials as having voted, the
precinct officials shall then proceed to count the vote cast for each
candidate;



(3)  If there are more ballots or less ballots than
the record calls for the precinct officials shall proceed as directed in
section 11-153.



(b)  In those precincts using the electronic
voting system, the ballots shall be taken in the sealed ballot boxes to the
counting center according to the procedure and schedule promulgated by the
chief election officer to promote the security of the ballots.  In the presence
of official observers, counting center employees may start to count the ballots
prior to the closing of the polls provided there shall be no printout by the
computer or other disclosure of the number of votes cast for a candidate or on
a question prior to the closing of the polls.  For the purposes of this
section, the closing of the polls is that time identified in section 11-131 as
the closing hour of voting. [L 1970, c 26, pt of §2; am L 1973, c 217, §1(vv);
am L 1975, c 36, §1(13); am L 1977, c 189, §1(10); am L 1980, c 264, §1(p); am
L 1993, c 304, §7; gen ch 1993]