12-17B-1. Definition of terms. Terms used in this chapter mean:

(1) "Automatic tabulating equipment," the apparatus necessary to automatically examine and count votes as designated on ballots or entered directly into a computer by means of a touch screen or other data entry device and data processing machines which can be used for counting these votes and tabulating results;

(2) "Ballot," paper ballots containing the names of candidates and statements of measures to be voted on;

(3) "Counting location," any location selected by the person in charge of the election for the counting of votes cast in an election. A counting location shall be within the territorial jurisdiction of such person unless there is no suitable tabulating equipment available within the jurisdiction. However, in any event, all counting locations shall be within this state;

(4) "Electronic ballot marking system," any electronic device which marks votes on a ballot;

(5) "Optical scan," a procedure in which votes are tabulated by means of examining marks made in voting response locations on the ballots with an optical mark reader (OMR);

(6) "Resolution board," a board at an automatic tabulating location comprised of a representative from each political party having a candidate on the ballot and whose candidate on the county-wide ballot at the last general election received at least fifteen percent of the votes. The county auditor may request additional board members balanced evenly by party. If the resolution board consists of more than one member from each party, the party shall designate which member of the party shall serve as co-leader of the resolution board. The co-leaders shall ensure that each board member is conducting resolution board duties uniformly and in accordance with applicable statutes and administrative rules. The board shall determine the disposition of those ballots which cannot be properly counted by the tabulating equipment and observe the activities at the counting location on behalf of the board member's respective party affiliation. In strictly nonpartisan elections, the resolution board shall be comprised of two persons who are not employees of the jurisdiction conducting the election and shall be appointed by the person in charge of the election.Source: SL 1994, ch 110, § 5; SL 2002, ch 75, § 1; SL 2005, ch 92, § 2; SL 2008, ch 34, § 12; SL 2018, ch 81, § 1, eff. Feb. 5, 2018.