D.2. Legitimate voters represent the will of the electorate, but ballots of
ineligible voters are invalid................................................................................................. 63
E. Application of mandatory/directory principles to specific types of statutes................. 65
E.1. Initialing of ballots: Requirements that officials initial the ballots ensure the
integrity of the election and can be considered mandatory...................................... . 65
Johnson v. Trnka
Fultz v. Newkirk
Wilbourn v. Hobson
E.2. Handling ballots: Technical irregularities in counting ballots do not void an
election unless they change the results............................................................................ 68
Knight v. State Board of Canvassers
E.3. Candidate qualification procedures: Irregularities in candidate nominating
procedures will not void a candidate’s election............................................................. 69
Tate v. Morley
E.4. Secrecy of the ballot: Technical requirements affecting the fundamental
integrity of an election are mandatory after an election if the statute is
totally disregarded................................................................................................................ 70
George v. Municipal Election Commission of the City of Charleston
Taylor v. Town of Atlantic Beach Election Commission
F. Substantial compliance with directory procedures will make ballots valid.................... 74
Boardman v. Esteva
McNally v. Tollander
In re McDonough
Fladell v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board
Taylor v. Central City Community School District
Devine v. Wonderlich (1978)
Kibbe v. Town of Milton
Taft v. Cuyahoga Board of Elections
G. Summary........................................................................................................................................ 82
Chapter 4. Fraud Invalidates the Ballot, but the Will of the Voter Will Still be Respected............... 85
A. Fraudulent votes cannot be included when determining the will of the electorate....... 85
Wesberry v. Saunders
In re General Election for District Justice
Jernigan v. Curtis
A.1. Fraud which does not affect the election outcome might not invalidate an
election if it is not pervasive.............................................................................................. 89
Nugent v. Phelps
A.2. Fraud will invalidate procedures early in the election process
as well as during the balloting and the vote count........................................................ 92
Flower v. D’Apice
Williams v. District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics
vii