Either the contestant or the contestee, within the time provided by this title for the preservation of ballots, may give notice by certified mail to the county recorder of any county where the contestant or the contestee desires the ballots preserved, that an election contest is pending in a designated court. After receipt of the notice, the county recorder shall preserve all the ballots and associated records until the contest has been finally determined or the retention period specified in section 16.1-15-13 has ended, whichever is later.
N.D.C.C. § 16.1-16-07