The secretary of state may enter into agreements for the bulk purchase of election supplies in order to reduce the costs for such purchases by individual boards of elections. A board of elections desiring to participate in such purchase agreements shall file with the secretary of state a written request for inclusion. A request for inclusion shall include an agreement to be bound by such terms and conditions as the secretary of state prescribes and to make direct payments to the vendor under each purchase agreement.

Nothing in this section prohibits a board of elections from purchasing election supplies through the department of administrative services under section 125.04 of the Revised Code.