D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-1520

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 44, November 1, 2024

Rule 7-1520 - BALLOT COUNTING

1520.1

The election official shall designate an election official in charge who shall be responsible for the direct supervision and oversight of the ballot counting process. The election official shall also designate ballot counters authorized to count and tally ballots. No person who is a qualified voter may be a ballot counter for the category in which he or she is eligible to vote.

1520.2

The election official shall strive to count the ballots and complete its official voting record for the Board within three (3) days after the date that balloting is completed, but no later than seven (7) days after such date.

1520.3

The election official shall maintain returned ballots by secure means and shall use appropriate safeguards to ensure that the security of each ballot is preserved.

1520.4

When paper ballots are counted by hand, the election official in charge shall have full authority to maintain order in the designated ballot counting location.

1520.5

The only persons permitted to be present in a designated ballot counting location while ballots are being counted shall be the election official in charge, ballot counters, designated representatives of the Board, police officers requested by the Board and authorized watchers.

1520.6

The election official shall count the number of valid ballots cast for each eligible candidate in each qualified voter category by every form or method of balloting used in an election.

1520.7

The eligible candidate receiving the highest number of votes in each qualified voter category included in an election shall be declared the winner for that category.

1520.8

Following the tally of all ballots, the election official shall provide the Board with an official voting record for each category of qualified voter. The record shall identify for each qualified voter category:

(a) The method or methods of balloting used;

(b) The number of ballots cast and counted for each eligible candidate;

(c) The total number of ballots issued;

(d) The total number of replacement and provisional ballots issued;

(e) The total number of ballots issued, but not cast;

(f) The total number of ballots cast and counted;

(g) The total number of ballots cast in each method of balloting, if more than one method is used;

(h) The total number of blank ballots returned;

(i) The total number of ballots returned and invalidated or voided;

(j) Any claims of discrepancy or error in the counting of the ballots made during the balloting process; and

(k) The results of the election.

1520.9

The election official in charge shall attest that the ballots and balloting procedures used in the election conform with the requirements set forth in Sections 1517, 1518, 1519, and 1520 of these Rules.

1520.10

The election official shall securely maintain and provide ballots and other election materials to DCRB at a place and time, and in a manner, determined by DCRB for recordkeeping and storage purposes. Election materials developed during, or in support of, an election cycle shall be the property of DCRB.

1520.11

The Board may declare the results of any election in any qualified voter category void and conduct a new election for that category, where the Board determines the winner to be ineligible for service on the Board due to:

(a) fraud, bribery, intimidation, or interference with voting in that category;

(b) tampering with ballots in that category;

(c) violation of the campaigning rules included in Section 1515 of these Rules; or

(d) any other mistake or defect serious enough to vitiate the election in that category as a fair expression of the will of the voters voting therein.

A new election conducted under this Section may result in a delay in the start date of an elected trustee's term.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-1520

Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 2951 (3/23/2018)