ELECTIONS 1553

tion, and they shall then sign a certificate stating: (1) that the machine
has been locked against voting and sealed; (2) the number of voters, as
shown on the public counters; (3 ) the number on the seal which they have
placed upon the machine; (4) the number registered on the protective
counter or device; and (5) the number or other designation of the voting
machine, which certificate shall be returned by the judges of election
to the officials authorized by law to receive the same. The judges shall then
compare the number of voters, as shown by the counter of the machine, with
the number of those who have voted, as shown by the applications filed,
as provided by Section 107 of this Article.

(b) The judges, in the presence of the watchers and all other persons
who may be lawfully within the polling-place, shall then make visible the
registering counters, and, for that purpose, shall unlock and open the
doors, or other covering concealing the same, giving full view of all the
counter numbers. The judges shall, under the scrutiny of the watchers,
and in the order of the offices as their titles are arranged on the machine,
read and announce, in distinct tones, the designation or designating num-
ber and letter on each counter for each candidate's name, the result as
shown by the counter numbers, and/or the designation or designating num-
bers and letters on each counter, and the results as shown by the counter
numbers for and against each question voted on. The counters shall not
be read consecutively along the party rows or columns, but shall always be
read along the office columns or rows, completing the canvass for each
office or question before proceeding to the next. The vote as registered shall
be entered by the judges, in ink, on triplicate return sheets, and also on
a general return sheet and statement, all of which, after the canvass is
completed, shall be signed by the judges. The vote for presidential electors
shall be computed and returned as provided hereinbefore in Section 274
of this sub-title. If more than one voting machine is used in any precinct,
the vote registered on each machine shall be ascertained in like manner,
and separately entered in appropriate spaces on the general and triplicate
return sheets and statement. The total vote cast for each candidate, and
for and against each question, shall then be computed and entered on the
general and triplicate return sheets and statement. There shall also be
entered on the general return sheet and statement the number of voters
who have voted, as shown by the lists of voters, and the number who have
voted on each machine, as shown by the public counters, and also the num-
ber registered on the protective counter or device on each machine immedi-
ately prior to the opening of the polls and immediately after the closing
thereof and sealing of the machine. The number or other designation of
each machine used shall also be entered thereon. In the case of primary
elections, triplicate return sheets shall be prepared for each party. The
registering counters of the voting machines shall remain exposed to view
until the said returns and all other reports have been fully completed.
During such time, any candidate, or duly accredited watcher, who may
desire to be present, shall be admitted to the polling place.

(c) The proclamation of the result of the votes cast shall be announced
distinctly and audibly by one of the judges of election, who shall read the
name of each candidate, the designation or designating numbers and letters
of his counters and the vote registered on each counter, also the vote cast
for and against each question submitted. During such proclamation ample
opportunity shall be given to any person lawfully present to compare the