If any contest of election involves a recount of the ballots in any precincts, the court shall immediately order the ballots of the precincts in which the recount is demanded to be sent to the court in such manner as the court designates, and such court may appoint two master commissioners of opposite political parties to supervise the making of the recount. The attorneys representing the contestor and the prosecuting attorney of the county or the attorney general or one of the attorney general's assistants representing the contestee shall be present at all hearings on such recount. Such commissioners shall receive ten dollars each per day and their actual traveling expenses when approved by the presiding judges. The compensation of such clerks as are deemed necessary by the court shall be determined by the court on the basis of similar compensation in other public offices for like work. Both the contestor and contestee may appoint one observer who shall be allowed to see all ballots and tally sheets and observe the recount. If the court finds that the difference in the count from the original count by the election authorities was the result of fraud, gross negligence, or willfulness on the part of any election officer or other person, the court shall forthwith transmit a copy of its decision and of the evidence to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the fraud or gross negligence was found with directions to present the same to the next grand jury in the county or to the attorney general, in the case of state or federal offices, with directions to prosecute the cases on behalf of the state.

Effective Date: 10-01-1953; 05-02-2006 .