§11-152  Method of counting.  (a)  In anelection using the paper ballot voting system, immediately after the close ofthe polls, the chairperson of the precinct officials shall open the ballotbox.  The precinct officials at the precinct shall proceed to count the votesas follows:

(1)  The whole number of ballots shall first becounted to see if their number corresponds with the number of ballots cast asrecorded by the precinct officials;

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

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

(b)  In those precincts using the electronicvoting system, the ballots shall be taken in the sealed ballot boxes to thecounting center according to the procedure and schedule promulgated by thechief election officer to promote the security of the ballots.  In the presenceof official observers, counting center employees may start to count the ballotsprior to the closing of the polls provided there shall be no printout by thecomputer or other disclosure of the number of votes cast for a candidate or ona question prior to the closing of the polls.  For the purposes of thissection, the closing of the polls is that time identified in section 11-131 asthe 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); amL 1993, c 304, §7; gen ch 1993]