Ballots shall be prepared by the municipal clerk, who shall determine their form and preparation.
(S.G.C. 2.40.120; Ord. 83-557 § 4, 1983)
The official ballot shall contain, at the top thereof, the words “Official Ballot” and the date of the election, whether such election is a general municipal election or a special municipal election, and such instructions to the voters as will enable them to intelligently mark their ballots for the candidates for whom they desire to vote and to intelligently vote upon the questions which are submitted. Both sides of a ballot may be used and additional ballots may be used for additional questions.
Following the names of candidates for the various offices on the official ballot there may also be a statement of any propositions or questions to be submitted to the voters as well as such questions as the assembly may vote to submit to the voters for an expression of opinion for its guidance.
(S.G.C. 2.40.130; Ord. 83-557 § 4, 1983; Ord. 98-1507 § 4, 1998)
Computer-read or hand counted ballots are specifically authorized and may be used alone or in combination with each other.
(S.G.C. 2.40.140; Ord. 83-557 § 4, 1983; Ord. 98-1507 § 4, 1998)
A. 
If an insufficient number of official ballots is received, the judges may use substitute ballots or other election materials to indicate the intent of the voter. At least one judge will initial each substitute ballot to authenticate it prior to issuance, but they shall not be marked in such a way as to be able to tell which voter used which ballot.
B. 
The election board shall certify the facts which prevented the use of official ballots and materials and shall include a certificate in the election returns to the clerk. The initial failure to certify to the facts or include the certificate required does not invalidate any ballots.
C. 
On disclosure that unofficial ballots have been used without the certification under subsection B of this section, the clerk shall notify the chairman of the election board in which the ballot was cast of their failure to certify the ballot properly.
D. 
The certification shall be given to the clerk within two days of notice under subsection C of this section.
(S.G.C. 2.40.150; Ord. 83-557 § 4, 1983)
In addition to the official ballots as prescribed, there shall be printed under the direction of the municipal clerk, in any color except white, not less than 200 ballots, which shall be marked as “Sample Ballots” which shall be available to the public.
(S.G.C. 2.40.160; Ord. 83-557 § 4, 1983)
The municipal clerk shall have the ballots in possession at least 15 days before each election. Sufficient ballots for the registered voters of each precinct shall be delivered to the election officials for that precinct. A receipt shall be taken from the election board member to whom ballots are delivered, the receipt to be preserved with other records of the election for two months following certification of the election. No ballots may be taken from the polling place before the closing of the polls except under the direction of the municipal clerk.
(S.G.C. 2.40.170; Ord. 83-557 § 4, 1983)
Each printer who prepares ballots for use at an election will be provided a certificate to sign indicating that any overruns have been destroyed and that all official ballots ordered by the municipality have been delivered to the municipal clerk or designee.
(S.G.C. 2.40.180; Ord. 83-557 § 4, 1983)