(a) A watcher serving at the meeting place of an early voting ballot board or signature verification committee may be present at any time the board or committee is processing or counting ballots and until the board or committee completes its duties. The watcher may serve during the hours the watcher chooses, except as provided by Subsection (b).
(b) A watcher serving at the meeting place of an early voting ballot board may not leave during voting hours on election day without the presiding judge’s permission if the board has recorded any votes cast on voting machines or counted any ballots, unless the board has completed its duties and has been dismissed by the presiding judge.