During the thirty days next preceding a general election or during the ten days next preceding a special election, the county election officials shall place on public exhibition, in such public places and at such times as they may deem most suitable for the information and instruction of the electors, one or more vote recorders containing the ballot labels and showing the offices and questions to be voted upon, the names and arrangements of parties and bodies and, so far as practicable, the names and arrangements of the candidates to be voted for. Such recorder or recorders shall be under the charge and care of a person competent as custodian and instructor.