(a)

1. (1) The State Board of Election Commissioners may employ a director who may hire a staff.

2. (2) The Director of the State Board of Election Commissioners or other members of the staff may:

   1. (A) Act as spokespeople for the board;
   2. (B) Receive correspondence and correspond on behalf of the board;
   3. (C) Provide legal and other research for the board;
   4. (D) Investigate allegations of violations of election laws under the board’s jurisdiction; and
   5. (E) Perform other functions deemed appropriate by the board.
3. (3) The director serves at the will and the pleasure of the board.

(b) The director shall ensure that the Chair of the State Board of Election Commissioners is advised of the:

1. (1) Progress and conduct of the employees; and
2. (2) Operation of the board office.

(c)

1. (1) The director shall operate the board’s office.

2. (2) The director’s duties shall include, without limitation, the following:

   1. (A) General administration of the office and staff;
   2. (B) Managing the appropriated budget of the board;
   3. (C) Maintenance of the board’s files and records as the custodian of those records;
   4. (D) Preparing:

(i) Reports;

1. (ii) Studies;

   1. (iii) Policy statements;

      1. (iv) Legal interpretations;
      2. (v) Proposed rules;
      3. (vi) Training materials;
      4. (vii) Reimbursements of county election expenses; and
      5. (viii) Other matters required by the board;
   2. (E) Receiving and responding to correspondence on behalf of the board on matters relating to official board business;
   3. (F) Managing travel, logistics, expenses, and reimbursement for members and staff and scheduling seminars and training by or for the board; and

   4. (G) Ensuring that the board office and its employees:

      1. (i) Reflect good character;
      2. (ii) Comply with the law; and
      3. (iii) Carry out other duties as may, from time to time, be enumerated by the board.
      4. (d) Employees of the office (the staff) are the responsibility of the director in matters common to an employer-employee relationship, and the director shall be responsible to the board for the actions of staff.