19-3424.   Powers, authority and duties; ward and precinct boundaries;notices of elections; printing ballots; election contests; budget.The election commissioner, as a part of his or her official duties shallhave and exercise the following powers and authority:

      (a)   Such commissioner shall establish and fix the boundaries of wardsand precincts within the county and in all cities the greater part of thepopulation of which is located in said county. Such commissioner shallaccept and file nomination and declaration papers of candidates anddeclarations of party affiliation.

      (b)   Such commissioner shall give notice by publication in the officialcounty paper, at least fifteen (15) days before the holding of anyelection, except as otherwise provided by law, of the time of holding suchelection, and the officers at that time to be chosen, and any other mattersto be voted upon.

      (c)   Such commissioner shall publish notice giving the proper partydesignation if required by law, the title of each office, the names andaddresses of all persons seeking national and state offices and ascertified to such county election officer by the secretary of state, asprovided by law, and of all persons from whom nomination papers ordeclarations have been filed with such election officer as provided by law,giving the name and address of each, the title to such office, the day ofthe election, the hours during which the polls will be open and thelocation of the voting place in each precinct or area, and mail to allpersons whose nomination or declaration papers are on file with suchelection officer, a copy of the first issue containing such publicationnotice.

      (d)   Such commissioner shall have charge of the printing of the ballotsfor all elections to which this act applies held within the county, or heldwithin any city, school district, township or drainage district located insaid county. Such commissioner shall conduct negotiations for the lettingof the contract to print such ballots and shall let the contract, with theapproval of the board of county commissioners.

      (e)   Such commissioner shall be the clerk of the court for the trial ofcontested elections except national and state elections, and all intentionsto contest any election shall be filed with said election commissioner, andshall proceed in accordance with any laws of the state dealing with thesubject.

      On or before July 15 of each year, the election commissioner shallcertify to the board of county commissioners an itemized statement showingthe amount necessary to pay the salary of the election commissioner, thedeputy election commissioner and other employees in the office of theelection commissioner and other expenses of said office during the nextensuing budget year and the county commissioners shall cause the same to beincluded in the county budget for such ensuing budget year.

      History:   L. 1947, ch. 203, § 6; L. 1949, ch. 207, § 3; L. 1968,ch. 406, § 56; L. 1975, ch. 207, § 2; July 1.