(a) Requests to examine specific categories of relevant material shall be made by the requestor in writing and shall be received by the elections official before the recounting of ballots commences.

(b) The elections official shall produce any relevant material requested.

(c) The elections official may establish reasonable guidelines for the production and examination of relevant material. The guidelines shall permit photocopying, photography and videotaping of all relevant material except in a manner that would record un-redacted voter signatures.

(d) The elections official shall communicate any request to examine ballots or other relevant material to each interested party or to his or her representative. The interested parties and their representatives appointed pursuant to section 20816(a)(1) may be present during the examination of ballots or other relevant material.

(e) The elections official, or his or her designee, shall be present during the examination of original ballots or original relevant material, but is not required to be present during the examination of copies of relevant material if the written request specified production of copies for examination.