State law requires the County to maintain a system for permanent personal registration of voters, managed by the Board of Elections. This Board is composed of two Commissioners appointed by the Legislature based upon the recommendations of the County's Political Party Committees. The Board of Elections is responsible for conducting fair and open elections that are free from fraud. Prior to local registration days required under the law, this office serves as the central registration office for voters; party petitions that nominate candidates of either party for primary election are filed, checked, and recorded; ballots for elections are prepared and distributed to the various election districts; enrollment lists and registration lists are prepared and published; absentee ballots are distributed upon request and in accordance with the law. Following elections, voting machines are checked for possible errors or fraud; election returns are checked and reported; a record of persons elected to public office is made; proper notification is given to the public and to the State Board of Elections; and certificates of election are issued to each successful candidate. The Board is required to comply strictly with the time tables set by the State Board of Elections for primary, special, and general elections. The local Board of Elections is not without authority. If the local Commissioners identify fatal defects in a petition, they have the authority to invalidate it.