560 IAC 2-2.1-19 Certification and closing of matter

Sec. 19. (a) At the conclusion of the election, the hearing officer shall issue to the parties a recommended certification of results of the election. (b) In cases where the conduct of or interference with an election has been challenged, the hearing officer shall rule on all challenges. If the hearing officer finds no grounds sufficient to call for a new election and no grounds to order a runoff, the executive director shall affirm the initial recommended certification, unless an appeal is timely made. (c) Unless a timely appeal is made to the board of the hearing officer's determination that no grounds exist to order a new election, the executive director shall, after the expiration of the appeal period, issue a final certification of the election on behalf of the board. (d) If no choice receives a majority of all eligible voters, the election shall result in the status quo prior to the election.