12-20-2. Opening of ballot box--Sorting and counting of unopened ballots--Ballots folded together.
The box shall be opened and the ballots taken out, sorted so that all ballots on certain candidacies and issues are separately identified, and counted by the members of the precinct election board unopened, except to ascertain if each ballot is single. If two or more ballots are found folded together and present the appearance of a single ballot, the ballots shall be laid aside until the count of ballots is completed. Upon the comparison of the count with the pollbook and registration list, or in machine precincts, with the number of return envelopes from absentee voters, and the appearance of the ballots, if a majority of the members of the precinct election board are of the opinion that the ballots folded together were voted by one voter, the ballot shall be endorsed, duplicate ballot of one voter not counted. If the ballot count does not agree with the number of votes in the pollbook, a comparison of the voters in the pollbook and the registration list shall be made and the correction of any mistakes shall be made.
Source: SDC 1939, §16.1701; SL 1974, ch 118, §150; SL 1978, ch 102, §1; SL 1993, ch 113, §14; SL 1999, ch 69, §40.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Chapter 20 - Return And Canvass Of Votes
Section 12-20-2.1 - Return of provisional ballot envelopes and unopened absentee ballots.
Section 12-20-3 - Drawing of excess ballots.
Section 12-20-5.1 - Determination of validity of provisional ballots.
Section 12-20-6 - Unstamped ballots not counted.
Section 12-20-8 - Precinct superintendent and precinct deputies to record intention of voter.
Section 12-20-11 - Entry of precinct vote on unofficial return list--Return with election returns.
Section 12-20-13.1 - Means of counting provisional ballots--Appointment of officials.
Section 12-20-13.2 - Counting provisional ballots--Certification.
Section 12-20-13.3 - Counting provisional ballots--Alternate time.
Section 12-20-13.4 - Counting provisional ballots--Notice.
Section 12-20-17 - Returns not disclosed until all polls in state closed.
Section 12-20-18 - Entry of candidates' votes in precinct pollbooks.
Section 12-20-21.1 - Circumstances requiring report of official returns by telephone.
Section 12-20-21.2 - Write-in votes not to be counted--Other votes on ballot.
Section 12-20-37 - Secretary of state to provide guidance and direction in making returns.
Section 12-20-39 - Election by plurality.
Section 12-20-46 - Composition of State Canvassing Board--Candidate disqualified from participation.
Section 12-20-47 - Time of convening of state canvassers--Adjournment to obtain late returns.
Section 12-20-48.1 - National convention slates and votes--Certification.
Section 12-20-49 - Certificate of election issued for federal, state or legislative office.
Section 12-20-51 - Disputes decided by majority of state canvassers--Irregularities disregarded.
Section 12-20-52 - Rules and regulations for counting and canvass of vote.