13-1-203. Secretary of state to advise, assist, and train. (1) The secretary of state shall advise and assist election administrators, including administrators of school elections under Title 20, chapter 20, with regard to:

(a) the application, operation, and interpretation of Title 13, except for chapter 35, 36, or 37;

(b) the implementation and operation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Public Law 103-31; and

(c) the procedures adopted pursuant to 13-17-211.

(2) The secretary of state shall prepare and distribute training materials for election judges to be trained pursuant to 13-4-203. Sufficient copies of the materials to supply all election judges in the county and to provide a small extra supply must be sent to each election administrator.

(3) (a) The secretary of state shall hold at least one training session every 2 years to instruct election administrators and their staffs on how to conduct and administer primary and general elections. The training must also include instruction on the use of the statewide voter registration system. The training may be held in various locations around the state. The training must also be offered online and through teleconferencing.

(b) Costs of the biennial training, including the materials, must be paid by the secretary of state.

(4) In addition to completing the biennial training under subsection (3), each election administrator shall complete 6 hours of election-related continuing education each year that is approved by the secretary of state. Costs for the continuing education must be paid by the counties.

(5) The secretary of state shall:

(a) certify for election administration purposes each election administrator who attends the biennial training and completes the required continuing education; and

(b) provide a certificate of completion to election staff who attend the biennial election training described in subsection (3).

(6) An election administrator may require that election staff complete the continuing education described in subsection (4) and provide a certificate of completion to staff who complete it.