1. (1) After the official canvas of an election, the election officer shall store all election returns in containers that identify the containers' contents.

2. (2) After the ballots are stored under Subsection (1), the ballots may not be examined by anyone, except as follows:

   1. (a) when examined during a recount conducted under the authority of Section 20A-4-401 or Part 6, Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project;

   2. (b) an auditor conducting an audit described in Section 36-12-15.2 may examine the ballots:

      1. (i) if the audit uncovers evidence that raises a substantial doubt regarding the accuracy of the results of an election, the auditor may examine the ballots until the later of:

         1. (A) the end of the calendar year in which the election was held; or
         2. (B) if the election is contested, when the contest is resolved; or
      2. (ii) at any time via a subpoena or other legal process; or

   3. (c) the lieutenant governor may examine the ballots:

      1. (i) until the later of:

         1. (A) the last day of the calendar year in which the election was held; or
         2. (B) if the election is contested, when the contest is resolved; or
      2. (ii) at any time via a subpoena or other legal process.

Amended by Chapter 6, 2025 Special Session 1