Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                   1253

shall be returned by the judges of election to the officials author-
ized 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 voting
authority cards in Baltimore City and the voters' certificates in
the counties.

(b)  Information on Return Sheets. 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, under the scrutiny of the watchers, and in
the order of the offices as their titles are arranged on the machine,
shall read and announce, in distinct tones, the designation or desig-
nating number and letter on each counter for each candidate's name,
the result as shown by the counter numbers, and/or the designation
or designating numbers and letters on each counter, and the results
as shown by the counter numbers for and against each question
voted on. The counter 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. 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 he entered on the general return sheet and statement the
number of voters who have voted, as shown by the list of voters
and the number who have voted on each machine, as shown by the
public counters, and also the number registered on the protective
counter or device on each machine immediately 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 case of primary elections,
triplicate return sheets shall be prepared for each party. The regis-
tering 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 watchers, who
may desire to be present, shall be admitted to the polling place.

(c)  Disposition of Return Sheets. 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, and also the vote cast for and
against each question submitted. During such proclamation ample
opportunity shall be given to any person lawfully present to com-
pare the results so announced with the counter dials of the machine,
and any necessary corrections shall then and there be made by the
judges after which the doors or other cover of the voting machine
shall be closed and locked and the return sheet shall he signed by