Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary of the State, or the Secretary’s designee, shall be allowed access to each polling place or location designated for the conduct of early voting within the state during any municipal, state or federal election, primary or recanvass for the purpose of reviewing any such polling place or location and any such recanvass for compliance with state and federal law. If the Secretary is a candidate on the ballot for any election or primary at a polling place or location designated for the conduct of early voting, only the Secretary’s designee may access such polling place or location pursuant to the provisions of this section.