§ 3501.053Instructions 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



                                                  Page 1

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.




                                                 Page 2