Section 3501.053. Instructions regarding conduct of elections - web publication

(A) The secretary of state may issue instructions as to the proper method of conducting elections to members of the boards of elections by permanent or temporary directives.

(1) The secretary of state shall establish a process to allow public review and public comment of proposed directives. Prior to issuing any permanent directive, the secretary of state shall provide reasonable notice of the issuance of the directive and allow a reasonable amount of time for public review and public comment of the proposed directive under this division.

No permanent directive shall be issued during the period beginning ninety days prior to the day of an election and ending on the fortieth day following the day of that election.

(2) Temporary directives shall only be issued, and shall only have effect, during the period beginning ninety days prior to the day of an election and ending on the fortieth day following the day of that election. Temporary directives shall not be subject to public review and public comment under division (A)(1) of this section.

A temporary directive shall not become a permanent directive unless the temporary directive is proposed as a permanent directive and subject to public review and public comment under division (A)(1) of this section.

If the situation prompting the establishment of a temporary directive appears likely to recur, the secretary of state shall establish a permanent directive addressing the situation.

(B) In addition to any other publication of directives and advisories issued by the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall publish those directives and advisories on a web site of the office of the secretary of state as soon as is practicable after they are issued, but not later than the close of business on the same day as a directive or advisory is issued. The secretary of state shall not remove from the web site any directives and advisories so posted. The secretary of state shall provide on that web site access to all directives and advisories currently in effect and maintain an archive of all directives and advisories previously published on that web site.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.105, SB 295, §1, eff. 8/15/2012.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.40, HB 194, §1 Made subject to referendum in the Nov. 6, 2012 election. The version of this section thus amended was repealed by 129th General AssemblyFile No.105, SB 295, §1, eff. 8/15/2012.

Effective Date: 2008 HB350 09-12-2008