7.34—Custody and use of books, records, and documents.
(a)
All books, records, and documents of or used by the county committee in the administration of programs assigned to it, or in the conduct of elections, shall be the property of the Commodity Credit Corporation or the United States Department of Agriculture, as applicable, and shall be maintained in good order in the county office.
(b)
For polling and mail type elections, ballots shall remain in sealed boxes until the prescribed date for counting. Following the counting of ballots in all types of elections, the ballots shall be placed in sealed containers and retained for 30 days unless otherwise determined by the State committee.
(c)
The books, records, and documents referred to in paragraph (a) shall be available for use and examination:
(1)
At all times by authorized representatives of the Secretary; the Administrator, or a designee of the Administrator.
(2)
By state, county, and community committee members, and authorized employees of the State and county office in the performance of duties assigned to them under this part, subject to instructions issued by the Deputy Administrator;
(3)
At any reasonable time to any program participant insofar as such person's interests under the programs administered by the county committee may be affected, subject to instructions issued by the Deputy Administrator; and