If any person holding an election refuses to deliver to a person elected to any office a fair copy of the list of votes, when demanded according to law, or holds an election in any other manner than as directed by law, or neglects to make or to forward due returns thereof, such person shall forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars ($500), to be recovered by action of debt in any court of record having cognizance thereof, with costs, one half (½) to the use of the state, the other one half (½) to such person who sues for the same.