(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the general custodian of election records shall ensure that any computer terminals located outside the central counting station that are capable of accessing the automatic tabulating equipment during the tabulation are capable of inquiry functions only and shall ensure that no modem access to the tabulating equipment is available during the tabulation.
(b) The secretary of state may prescribe procedures for the use of a system to allow results to be transmitted by a modem to the central counting station from units of automatic tabulating equipment located at a precinct polling place or at a regional tabulating center serving several precincts. The system must provide for a secure transmission of data. Results may not be transmitted under this subsection until the polls close on election day.