(1) The ballots picked up from the precincts during the polling hours may be counted only at the counting center before the polls have closed. Election returns from the count of these ballots must be held in secrecy until the polls have been closed.

     (2) Upon breaking the seals and opening the ballot containers from the precincts, all voted ballots must be manually inspected for damage, write-in votes, and incorrect or incomplete marks. If it is found that any ballot is damaged so that it cannot properly be counted by the vote tallying system, a true duplicate copy must be made of the damaged ballot in the presence of witnesses and substituted for the damaged ballot. All damaged ballots must be kept by the county auditor until sixty days after the primary or election or according to federal law, whichever is longer.

     (3) The returns produced by the vote tallying system, to which have been added the counts of questioned ballots, write-in votes, and absentee votes, constitute the official returns of the primary or election in that county.

[2003 c 111 § 1512; 1999 c 158 § 15; 1990 c 59 § 33; 1977 ex.s. c 361 § 74. Formerly RCW 29.54.085, 29.34.167.]

NOTES:

     Intent -- Effective date -- 1990 c 59: See notes following RCW 29A.04.013.

     Effective date -- Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 361: See notes following RCW 29A.16.040.