Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 109 of chapter 54 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2000 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 7, the words "and ballots not cast".

SECTION 2. Said section 109 of said chapter 54, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 10 and 11, the words ", and make such disposition of the undistributed ballots as they may deem proper".

SECTION 3. Said section 109 of said chapter 54, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following paragraph:-

City and town clerks shall retain in their custody ballots not cast for 30 days or until any contest is determined or claim is withdrawn under section 134, and shall then make such disposition of the ballots not cast as they consider proper.