Illinois Statutes Chapter 10. Elections § 5/7-51. Ballots improperly marked; judge's initials; defective ballots; return of ballots not voted, etc.; record

§ 7-51. If the primary elector marks more names upon the primary ballot than there are persons to be nominated as candidates for an office, or for State central committeepersons, or precinct committeepersons, or township committeepersons, or ward committeepersons, or delegates or alternate delegates to National nominating conventions, or if for any reason it is impossible to determine the primary elector's choice of a candidate for the nomination for an office, or committeeperson, or delegate, his primary ballot shall not be counted for the nomination for such office or committeeperson.

No primary ballot, without the endorsement of the judge's initials thereon, shall be counted.

No judge shall omit to endorse his initials on a primary ballot, as required by this Article, nor shall any person not authorized so to do initial a primary ballot knowing that he is not so authorized.

Primary ballots not counted shall be marked “defective” on the back thereof; and primary ballots to which objections have been made by either of the primary judges or challengers shall be marked “objected to” on the back thereof; and a memorandum, signed by the primary judges, stating how it was counted, shall be written on the back of each primary ballot so marked; and all primary ballots marked “defective” or “objected to” shall be enclosed in an envelope and securely sealed, and so marked and endorsed as to clearly disclose its contents. The envelope to be used for enclosing ballots marked “defective” or “objected to” shall bear upon its face, in not less than 1 1/2 inch type, the legend: “This envelope is for use after 6:00 P.M. only.” The envelope to be used for enclosing ballots spoiled by voters while attempting to vote shall bear upon its face, in not less than 1 1/2 inch type, the legend: “This envelope is for use before 6:00 P.M. only.”

All primary ballots not voted, and all that have been spoiled by voters while attempting to vote, shall be returned to the proper election authority by the primary judges, and a receipt taken therefor, and shall be preserved 2 months. Such official shall keep a record of the number of primary ballots delivered for each polling place, and he or they shall also enter upon such record the number and character of primary ballots returned, with the time when and the persons by whom they are returned.