Section 3-8-61 - Post-election duties; nature of documents; expense of corrections; proceedings for contempt; responsibility for voting machines.
3-8-61. Post-election duties; nature of documents; expense of corrections; proceedings for contempt; responsibility for voting machines.
A. Municipal election returns are public records, subject to inspection during customary office hours by candidates and by members of the public, and may be copied upon request of a candidate or member of the public at a reasonable charge.
B. The expense of any proceeding to complete or correct any election returns or certificates shall be paid from the municipal general fund upon voucher signed by the municipal clerk.
C. Failure of any person to obey any summons required to be issued by or issued pursuant to the Municipal Election Code [Chapter 3, Articles 8 and 9 NMSA 1978], is contempt and is punishable as provided by law.
D. The municipal clerk shall have custody of all voting machines at all polling places. Within three days after the election, the county clerk shall take physical custody of and secure such machines for thirty days after certificates of election are issued to candidates, or thirty days after canvass is completed, in an election with no candidates for municipal office. The county clerk shall take the proper action to see that the voting machines in custody remain unopened, untampered with, and undamaged during the thirty day period.