4.28.060 Preserving and destroying ballots.
A. The clerk shall preserve all official ballots in a secure manner, unopened and unaltered, for not less than 30 calendar days after the date of the election certification, or in cases where the election is contested, until 30 calendar days after the final resolution of the contest. Upon the expiration of the preservation period, the clerk shall completely destroy the ballots in compliance with city records management procedures.
B. The clerk may only permit the inspection of the ballots (used or not) and materials:
1. Upon the call of the city council;
2. Upon the call of a court of competent jurisdiction;
3. Upon the call of the canvass board or counting teams pursuant to a recount if the board or teams deem it necessary to inspect the ballots and materials; and
4. Upon the call of the clerk and city attorney during an inquiry to an election contest if the clerk and city attorney deem it necessary to inspect the ballots and materials. (Ord. 16-15 § 18, 2016; Ord. 12-20 § 42, 2012; Ord. 04-24(SUB) § 12, 2004; Ord. 02-22 § 16, 2002; Ord. 01-16(SUB) § 13, 2001; prior code § 18.35.070)