AI-assisted research summary: After voting ends, commissioners must carry out a series of steps to secure voting machines, complete and sign election reports and certificates, post results, seal materials, and package records for delivery.
PART VI. ELECTION RETURNS §571. Procedures for commissioners after termination of voting A. At the termination of voting in a primary or general election, the commissioners shall announce that voting is terminated. The commissioners in the presence of the watchers shall immediately: (1) Secure the voting machines against further voting and expose the count on the voting machines, leaving the counter in full view of the watchers. (2)(a) Cause each voting machine to produce a set of four identical official election results reports. (b) Examine, sign, and certify each set of official election results reports. (c) If a voting machine produces a set of official election results reports which is illegible or damaged, notify the parish custodian of voting machines, who shall provide technical assistance in obtaining the election results from such machine. (3) Close the polls. (4)(a) Complete in triplicate Certificate No. 2 of the composite certificate designated "Machine Certificates", which shall state (i) that the voting machines were secured against further voting, (ii) the exact time the voting machines were secured against further voting, (iii) the serial number on each voting machine, (iv) the number shown on the public counter of each voting machine, which shall be the total number of voters casting votes on that machine in the election, (v) the number shown on the protective counter of each voting machine, which shall be the total number of times the machine has been voted in its lifetime, (vi) the number of the seal placed on the precinct register by the commissioners, and (vii) whether any visible damage occurred to any voting machine during the election. (b) Sign the completed machine certificates. (5) Sign and certify to the correctness of the duplicate poll lists. (6) Post the printouts from the voting machines at a conspicuous place at the polling place for public viewing. (7) Complete an affidavit of payroll and nondisclosure. The affidavit shall be prepared by the secretary of state and shall contain the name, address, and last four digits of the social security number of each commissioner and an acknowledgment that the law prohibits disclosure of confidential voter information listed in the precinct register. The affidavit shall be signed by each commissioner and placed in the bag that is delivered to the clerk of court. (8) Place one copy of the official election results reports, one copy of the machine certificates, one of the duplicate poll lists, all original executed challenges of voters, all precinct register corrections, all voter identification affidavits, all voter assistance forms, any physicians' certificates, any copies of disability documentation, a copy of each completed notation of irregularities form, and any address confirmation notices in the envelope marked "Registrar of Voters", seal it and attach it to the precinct register after the termination of voting, and place a new protective seal on the precinct register. (9) Seal the official election zero proof report, one copy of the official election results reports, one of the duplicate poll lists, a copy of each completed notation of irregularities form, and a copy of the machine certificates in the envelope marked "Secretary of State's Envelope". (10)(a) Lock the doors of the voting machines. (b) Secure the voting machines and election paraphernalia in accordance with the procedures in the informational pamphlet as provided in R.S. 18:553.1. (11) Place the keys to the voting machines in an envelope, which then shall be sealed and signed by all of the commissioners. B. The official election zero proof reports and the official election results reports from each voting machine shall be the official election results and shall form a part of the official election returns. Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 471, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1980, No. 792, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 76, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 77, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2006, No. 403, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2018, No. 584, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.