Possible way to preserve election materials about to be destroyed

[AtLiberty]

Check a given state's law regarding the destruction of public records. Many states have a strict procedure for the disposal of all public records, including election records. This procedure includes seeking approval by the state archives office/records office; the approval may may require that the public records not be part of any legal requests, including Freedom of Information Act requests. This formality usually requires time to process, then there's usually another waiting period following public posting of any destruction of public records. You could contact both the election board and the state archives/records office regarding legal requests. If there is any doubt as to whether or not public records should be destroyed, the archivist may choose not to grant such an approval, as they tend to be on the side of caution.

Make sure to check that state's election code regarding records -- it may only provide a retention period. Also, check if there are any exclusions for election materials in your state's local records law. You should consider calling the state archivist and asking for any exclusions and how to file for an extension or a complaint.

This isn't the answer to your prayers, but it might buy you some time beyond the Sept. 2, 2006 deadline.

For example, here's the law regarding the destruction of public records in Ohio. Unless the Ohio Election Code specifically excludes election materials from following this procedure, then these rules apply:

http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/lgr/PublicRecordsUpdate042004.pdf

[texpatriot2004]

1. Thanks so much for this post nt

[skids]

2. And failing that.

Follow their lazy asses to the dump.

[texpatriot2004]

4. there's an idea nm

[AtLiberty]

3. *shameless self bump*