(1) The election officials at the counting place may receive and prepare for tabulation mail ballots delivered and turned over to them by the county clerk and recorder or designated election official.(2) Counting of the mail ballots may begin fifteen days prior to the election, and counties with more than ten thousand active electors as of the date of the previous general election must begin no later than four days prior to the election, and shall continue until counting is completed.(3) The election officials in charge of the counting place shall take all precautions necessary to ensure the secrecy of the counting procedures, and no information concerning the count may be released by the election officials or watchers until after 7 p.m. on election day.Amended by 2023 Ch. 399,§ 37, eff. 6/6/2023.Added by 2013 Ch. 185, § 92, eff. 5/10/2013.L. 2013: Entire part added, (HB 13-1303), ch. 185, p. 738, § 92, effective May 10.