A.  Except as otherwise provided by law, every election official shall retain and preserve, for at least six months after the date of a primary or general election, all records and papers which come into his possession relating to the qualifying of candidates, the selection of commissioners, alternate commissioners, and watchers, and the conduct or results of a primary or general election.  These records and papers shall be public records open to inspection by anyone.

B.  In an election involving the office of the president of the United States, vice president of the United States, presidential elector, United States senator, or United States representative, all records and papers which come into the possession of an election official relating to any application, registration, or other act requisite to voting in such election shall be kept and maintained for a period of twenty-two months from the date of the election.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002.