(a) Whenever voting machines are used for municipal elections, the key or keys to the voting machine or machines, still in the envelopes in which they were placed when the machines were sealed for this election pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 11-46-33 and with the seals thereof unbroken and all other necessary election supplies shall be delivered to the inspector of each poll at least 30 minutes before the time for opening the polls. The inspector shall compare the number appearing on the envelope containing the key or keys with the number shown in the protective counter, and, if these numbers are not identical, he shall not break the seal on the envelope containing the keys, and he shall immediately so notify the municipal clerk or his representative, who shall immediately deliver the correct key or keys or another properly sealed machine. If the numbers on the envelope and the respective numbers on the seal and on the protective counter are found to be the same, the inspectors shall open the door concealing the counters.
(b) Before the polls are declared open the election officials and each authorized watcher or any interested person shall carefully examine each and every counter and see that it registers zero and shall examine the ballots and satisfy themselves that the ballots are in their proper place on the machine. The election officials shall post the sample ballots and the model for the guidance of voters at conspicuous points about the polling place. All persons authorized to be in the polling place shall satisfy themselves that the voting machine is properly placed and that the face of the machine is turned so that the election officials and the public may obtain a clear and unobstructed view of the same at all times except when the curtain on the machine is closed for the casting of the ballot.
(c) The election officials and at least two watchers of opposing interests (if any there shall be) shall then sign a certificate setting out that the keys were delivered intact, that the numbers on the protective counter and seal correspond with that on the envelope, that all the counters were set at zero and that the ballot labels were in their proper places. If any counter, however, does not register zero, the inspector shall summon the custodian of the machine, who shall set the counter back to zero.
(d) The machine shall then be opened for voting and the polls formally declared open.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.
Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.
Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.
Section 11-46-21 - Time of Elections; Notice; Assumption of Duties by Elected Officers.
Section 11-46-22 - Notice of Elections.
Section 11-46-24 - Designating and Equipping Voting Places; Election Officials; Canvass Returns.
Section 11-46-25 - Ballots; Statements of Candidacy; Withdrawal of Candidacy.
Section 11-46-26 - Proceedings Where Only One Candidate or Nominee for Office.
Section 11-46-27 - Appointment, Compensation, etc., of Election Officers.
Section 11-46-29 - Appointment of Election Officers Upon Failure of Others to Attend Polls.
Section 11-46-32 - Election Supplies.
Section 11-46-33 - Duties of Clerk as to Voting Machines.
Section 11-46-34 - Voting Booths.
Section 11-46-40 - Assistance of Disabled Electors Generally.
Section 11-46-43 - Right of Secret Ballot; Write-in Voting Prohibited.
Section 11-46-49 - Election Officers for Voting Machines; Duties.
Section 11-46-56 - Absentee Ballots - Eligibility.
Section 11-46-58 - Absentee Ballots - Marking, Posting, etc., of Lists of Applicants.
Section 11-46-59 - Offenses of Mayor and Other Executive Officers.
Section 11-46-60 - Offenses of Clerks.
Section 11-46-61 - Offenses of Election Officers Generally.
Section 11-46-62 - Offenses of Inspectors.
Section 11-46-63 - Failure of Returning Officer to Deliver Statement of Votes and Poll List.
Section 11-46-64 - Deception of Disabled Voters by Marker, Etc.
Section 11-46-65 - Drinking of Intoxicating Liquors by Watcher.
Section 11-46-67 - Offenses of Electors.
Section 11-46-68 - Miscellaneous Offenses.
Section 11-46-69 - Contest of Elections - Grounds; Commencement of Action.
Section 11-46-70 - Contest of Elections - Trial; Entry of Judgment.
Section 11-46-71 - Annulment of Elections.
Section 11-46-72 - Procedure Where Election Not Held on Day Appointed.
Section 11-46-73 - Provisions of Article as to Offenses Cumulative.
Section 11-46-74 - Use of Election Dates Established by Classification Act or Local Act.