(a) Upon completion of the count, all ballots, absentee ballots and district totals cards shall be securely packaged, suitably labeled and sealed, and delivered to the county board of elections. The board shall likewise package and seal a true copy of the ballot label used in each election district. Thereafter these packages are to be retained and disposed of in the same manner as paper ballots and related materials are disposed of under the provisions of this act.

(b) The county board of elections shall likewise package and retain all tabulating cards and other materials used in the preparation of the automatic tabulating equipment but may have access to these tabulating cards and other materials. It shall not alter or make changes to these materials but may make copies of them and make changes to the copies, and all such materials shall be preserved and maintained by the board in accordance with the terms of section 309.¹