SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                        869

(3) All surplus ballots shall be destroyed within ten days after
the election, unless the destruction thereof is stayed by an order of
court pending a contest. The board shall certify the number of bal-
lots so destroyed to the clerk of the circuit court as soon as the
ballots are destroyed.

(d)    All ballot boxes provided by the board for the deposit of
ballots shall be numbered and of sufficient capacity to hold the ballots
to be deposited therein, shall have an opening in the top large enough
to allow a single folded ballot to be passed easily through the opening,
but no larger, and shall be supplied with a seal or sufficient lock and
key.

(e)    The board shall deliver not more than three days and not less
than one day preceding the election, ballot boxes for each precinct
and other equipment and supplies required for the election, together
with a sealed package of ballots, containing at least as many ballots
as there are voters shown by the last preceding registration in said
precinct clearly marked on the outside of its wrapper with the name
of the precinct or polling place for which intended and the number
of ballots enclosed. If the board fails or neglects to make the deliv-
ery by the time prescribed by this section, it shall be the duty of a
judge designated beforehand by the board to take charge of the
ballot box, immediately to send to the board therefor, and to obtain
the same as soon as practicable in order that the election may be duly
held. Any cost incurred in so doing shall be paid by the county com-
missioners, the county council or the Mayor and City Council of
Baltimore City, as the case may be, as part of the election expenses.

(f)    The board shall provide a sufficient number of voting booths,
equipped with tables or shelves, on which voters may conveniently
mark their ballots. Each voting booth shall be at least three feet
square and six feet high, shall contain three sides with a door or
curtain on the fourth side, which door or curtain shall extend within
two feet of the floor and shall be so arranged that it shall be impos-
sible for anyone outside the voting booth to observe a voter in the act
of marking his ballot. The number of voting booths shall be not less
than one for each one hundred voters qualified to vote at such voting
place. Each voting booth shall be kept properly lighted and provided
with all supplies and conveniences necessary for marking ballots.
The ballot boxes and voting booths shall be arranged in plain view
of the judges, and the voting area shall be roped off in such a way
as to permit no more than three feet for the entrance or exit of
voters, and no person shall be permitted to enter the voting area by
any other route.

(g)    As soon as the polls are open and immediately before any
ballots are received by the judges, they shall inspect all ballot boxes
to be used, so that they may be satisfied as to the structure thereof,
and that such ballot boxes are empty and verify the numbers thereof.
The ballot boxes shall then be locked and sealed. They shall not
again be opened until the closing of the polls; and until such closing
each ballot box shall be kept constantly in the sight of all persons
entitled to be present. They shall be so placed that the voter offer-
ing his ballot, the judges and all persons entitled to be present may
conveniently see every ballot deposited therein. The sealed package
of ballots shall not be opened until after the ballot boxes shall have
been so examined, and locked or sealed by the judges.