When Required. Except as provided in §A(2) of this regulation, the board shall start processing the absentee ballots on the day that is 8 business days before the first day of early voting. Upon the request of a board, the State Administrator may grant a waiver of requirements in §A(1) of this regulation if the State Administrator determines the early processing is not: Necessary due to the low number of absentee ballots received by the board; or Practicable due to limited resources or other constraints on the board. The board shall convene at: 10 a.m. on the Thursday after the election to canvass absentee ballots; and 10 a.m. on the second Friday after an election. If any required processing or canvassing day falls on a legal holiday, the board shall convene to process or canvass absentee ballots on the next regular business day. Opening Ballots. An envelope with an enclosed absentee ballot may not be opened until the start of the canvass. If an oath on the return envelope is covered, a local board may remove the paper covering the oath before the start of the canvass.