reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 2 - Election Judges|Section 10-202 - Qualifications for Election Judges

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an election judge shall be a registered voter who resides in the county for which the election judge is appointed.        (2)    (i)    If a qualified individual residing in the county cannot be found with reasonable effort, the local board may appoint a registered voter residing in any part of the State.            (ii)    Subject to the provisions of § 3–210(c) of the Labor and Employment Article, a minor who is at least 16 years old and who is a registered voter may be appointed and serve as an election judge.    (b)    An election judge shall be able to speak, read, and write the English language.    (c)    An election judge may not engage in any partisan or political activity that is proscribed by § 2-301 of this article.    (d)    A State employee who serves as an election judge during hours that the employee is otherwise scheduled to work for the State:        (1)    may use 1 hour of administrative leave for each hour of service as an election judge, up to a total of 8 hours for each day of service; and        (2)    shall receive the election judge compensation as specified in § 10-205 of this subtitle.    (e)    A local board may adopt guidelines consistent with the provisions of this title for the determination of the qualifications of persons considered for appointment and for the process of appointment as election judges. To the extent not inconsistent with this subtitle, the guidelines may provide for the appointment of an election judge, other than the chief judge, to serve for less than a full day and for the judge to be compensated, on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the fees set under § 10-205 of this subtitle for a judge serving a full day.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 2 - Election Judges|Section 10-203 - Appointment of Election Judges

    (a)    The election director, with the approval of the local board, shall appoint the election judges for each polling place for a term that begins on the Tuesday that is 13 weeks before each statewide primary election.    (b)    One or two election judges in each precinct shall:        (1)    be designated chief judge; and        (2)    supervise the staff at the polling place.    (c)    The term of office for an election judge continues until the Tuesday that is 13 weeks before the next statewide primary election unless:        (1)    the local board excuses the person for good cause; or        (2)    a special election is held during the election judge’s term of office and the State Board determines that a local board may not need the service of all of the appointed election judges.    (d)    A local board shall fill each vacant election judge position in the same manner as set forth in subsection (a) of this section.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-204 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 2 - Election Judges|Section 10-204 - Oath

    (a)    (1)    Each election judge shall take and subscribe to a written oath prescribed in Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.        (2)    The signed oath, when returned to the local board, shall constitute the commission of office for the election judge.    (b)    The State Board shall prescribe a form for the combined oath and commission required under this section.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-206 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 2 - Election Judges|Section 10-206 - Instruction for Election Judges

    (a)    In consultation with the local boards, the State Board shall:        (1)    develop a program of instruction of election judges; and        (2)    oversee the implementation of the program of instruction.    (b)    The training materials utilized by the program may include:        (1)    an instruction manual and other written directives;        (2)    curriculum for training sessions; and        (3)    audiovisuals.    (c)    The State Board shall develop a process for the evaluation of the training program and the performance of the polling place staff in each county.    (d)    To the extent appropriate, the training program shall be specific to each of the voting systems used in polling places in the State.    (e)    The State Board shall provide election judges with uniform statewide training on the voting system, including:        (1)    all features of the voting system that provide access to voters with disabilities; and        (2)    the rights of voters with disabilities, including those rights guaranteed by State and federal law.    (f)    Each local board shall conduct election judge training based on the program developed by the State Board.    (g)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, each election judge shall participate in the training program provided for in subsection (a) of this section.        (2)    An election judge who is appointed under emergency circumstances is not required to attend the course of instruction.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 2 - Election Judges|Section 10-207 - Removal of an Election Judge

    (a)    A local board shall investigate promptly each complaint it receives regarding the fitness, qualification, or performance of an individual appointed to be an election judge.    (b)    A local board shall remove any election judge who is unfit or incompetent for the office.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-301 - Hours for Voting

    (a)    On an election day, a polling place shall be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.    (b)    A voter who has appeared at a polling place by the closing hour to cast a ballot shall be allowed to vote.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-301.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-301.1 - Early Voting and Early Voting Centers

    (a)    Except as provided under Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article, during any regularly scheduled primary or general election a voter may vote:        (1)    in the voter’s assigned precinct on election day; or        (2)    at an early voting center in the voter’s county of residence on any early voting day in accordance with this section.    (b)    (1)    Each county shall have at least one early voting center established in the county as prescribed in this subsection.        (2)    A county with fewer than 125,000 registered voters shall have one early voting center established in the county.        (3)    A county with more than 125,000 registered voters but fewer than 200,000 registered voters shall have three early voting centers established in the county.        (4)    A county with more than 200,000 registered voters but fewer than 300,000 registered voters shall have four early voting centers established in the county.        (5)    A county with more than 300,000 registered voters but fewer than 450,000 registered voters shall have seven early voting centers established in the county.        (6)    A county with more than 450,000 registered voters shall have eleven early voting centers.        (7)    In addition to the early voting centers required in this subsection, each county may establish one additional early voting center if the State Board, in collaboration with the local board, and the governing body of the county agree to establish an additional early voting center.    (c)    No later than 6 months before a primary election, the State Board, in collaboration with the local board in each county, shall designate each early voting center in that county.    (d)    Each early voting center shall be open for voting as follows:        (1)    beginning the second Thursday before a primary or general election through the Thursday before the election; and        (2)    during the following hours:            (i)    in a presidential general election, during the hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. each early voting day; and            (ii)    in all other elections, during the hours between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. each early voting day.    (e)    Each early voting center shall satisfy the requirements of § 10–101 of this title.    (f)    Beginning 30 days prior to each early voting period the State Board and each local board shall undertake steps to inform the public about early voting and the location of early voting centers in each county, including:        (1)    a series of public service media announcements;        (2)    mailings to all registered voters in each county; and        (3)    other measures as appropriate.    (g)    Except as expressly provided in this section, any provision of this article that applies to voting on election day also applies to early voting.    (h)    The State Board shall adopt regulations and guidelines in accordance with the requirements of this section for the conduct of early voting.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-302 - Delivery of Equipment and Supplies; Backup Copies

    (a)    In a timely manner for each election, the local board shall provide for the delivery to each polling place the supplies, records, and equipment necessary for the conduct of the election.    (b)    Each polling place shall be equipped with a computer device that contains a record of all registered voters in the county and that is capable of being networked to other polling place computer devices.    (c)    Each polling place and early voting center shall have a paper or electronic backup copy of the election register available for the use of the election judges if the computer devices required under subsection (b) of this section do not function properly during an election.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-303 - Authority and Duties of Election Judges

    (a)    Under the supervision of a chief judge, an election judge shall:        (1)    carry out the tasks assigned by the local board, including those set forth in any election judge instruction manual developed in accordance with § 10–206 of this title, during the period of time that begins before the election through the close of the polls and the return of materials to the local board; and        (2)    take measures throughout election day to ensure that:            (i)    each voter’s right to cast a ballot in privacy is maintained;            (ii)    the integrity of the voting process is preserved;            (iii)    the accuracy of the counting process is protected;            (iv)    order in the polling place is maintained; and            (v)    all election laws are observed.    (b)    While serving as an election judge on an election day, an election judge shall wear a badge that:        (1)    is in plain view;        (2)    identifies the person as an election judge; and        (3)    identifies the person by name and by the ward and precinct or election district for which the person is an election judge.    (c)    An election judge shall:        (1)    keep the peace; and        (2)    order the arrest of any person who:            (i)    breaches the peace;            (ii)    breaches any provision of this article; or            (iii)    interferes with the work of the judges in conducting the election and carrying out their assigned tasks.    (d)    (1)    An election judge shall protect a challenger or watcher in the exercise of the rights of a challenger or watcher as provided in § 10-311 of this subtitle.        (2)    (i)    An election judge is not required to admit a challenger or watcher to a polling place before the polls open if the challenger or watcher was not present at the polling place at least one-half hour before its opening.            (ii)    An election judge may require challengers and watchers to leave a polling place before it opens if a majority of the election judges present agrees that the presence of the challengers and watchers will prevent the timely opening of the polling place.        (3)    An election judge shall designate reasonable times for challengers and watchers to examine polling lists.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-304 - Duties of Police Officers

    (a)    (1)    A police officer who is on duty at a polling place shall obey the order of an election judge for that polling place.        (2)    A police officer making an arrest under an order of an election judge is fully protected in so doing as if the police officer received a valid warrant to make the arrest.    (b)    A police officer who is on duty at a polling place shall protect a challenger or watcher in the discharge of the duties of the challenger or watcher.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-305 - Vacancy in Polling Place Staff During Voting Hours

    (a)    If there is a vacancy in the polling place staff during voting hours:        (1)    the local board may fill the vacancy with a substitute election judge who has been recruited and trained; or        (2)    an election judge who is present at the polling place may fill the position of the absent election judge by appointing a person registered with the same party affiliation as the absent election judge.    (b)    If a substitute election judge is appointed under subsection (a) of this section:        (1)    either the election director, the election director’s designee, or the election judge making the substitute appointment shall administer the oath required under § 10-204 of this title; and        (2)    a chief election judge shall document any change in the polling place staff in the records of the polling place.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-306 - Information for Voters at Polling Place

    (a)    (1)    The State Board, in consultation with the election directors of the local boards, shall specify and produce the following informational materials to be posted in each polling place:            (i)    a specimen ballot for that precinct;            (ii)    instructions relating to the availability of assistance to elderly and disabled voters;            (iii)    information regarding the date of the election and the hours during which the polling places will be open;            (iv)    instructions on how to vote, including how to cast a vote;            (v)    instructions for mail-in registrants and first-time voters;            (vi)    general information on voting rights under applicable federal and State laws and instructions on how to contact the appropriate local board if these rights are alleged to have been violated;            (vii)    information regarding provisional voting, including:                1.    information on the right of an individual to cast a provisional ballot;                2.    how to fill out the provisional ballot application and cast the provisional ballot; and                3.    the standards that will be applied in determining whether a provisional ballot will be counted; and            (viii)    general information on federal and State laws regarding prohibitions on acts of fraud and misrepresentation.        (2)    A local board may produce other materials appropriate for the polling places in the county.    (b)    Before the polls open, the election judges for each precinct shall post all information specified under subsection (a) of this section.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-307 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-307 - Responsibilities of the Local Board

    (a)    The members of each local board shall be available as needed on an election day.    (b)    The local board shall provide the staff of each polling place with the means to contact and obtain support from the office of the local board on election day.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-308 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-308 - Access to Voting Room

    (a)    An election judge shall allow the following individuals to have access to the voting room at a polling place:        (1)    a voter;        (2)    an individual who accompanies a voter in need of assistance in accordance with § 10–310(c) of this subtitle;        (3)    polling place staff;        (4)    a member or other representative of the State Board or local board;        (5)    an accredited watcher or challenger under § 10–311 of this subtitle;        (6)    an individual under the age of 18 who accompanies a voter in accordance with § 10–310(c) of this subtitle, provided that:            (i)    the individual is in the care of the voter and does not disrupt or interfere with normal voting procedures; and            (ii)    the individual is not eligible to vote in that election; and        (7)    any other individual authorized by the State Board or local board.    (b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(6) of this section, not more than two individuals under the age of 18 may accompany a voter in accordance with § 10–310(c) of this subtitle.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-309 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-309 - Responsibilities of Election Judges on Election Day -- Before the Polls Open

    (a)    In accordance with instructions provided by the election director, an election judge shall arrive at the polling place and, under the direction of the chief judge, set up the polling place to assure that the polls will be open and operational at 7 a.m.    (b)    Except as provided in § 10-303(d)(2)(ii) of this subtitle, an election judge shall admit an accredited challenger or watcher one-half hour before the polling place is open.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-312 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-312 - Challenge of an Individual's Right to Vote

    (a)    (1)    The right of an individual to vote may be challenged at the polls only on the grounds of identity.        (2)    An individual whose right to vote is challenged at the polls may establish the individual’s identity by presenting any of the following forms of identification:            (i)    the individual’s voter registration card;            (ii)    the individual’s Social Security card;            (iii)    the individual’s valid Maryland driver’s license;            (iv)    any identification card issued to the individual by a political subdivision of the State, the State, the federal government, or any unit of a political subdivision of the State, the State, or the federal government;            (v)    any employee identification card of the individual that contains a photograph of the individual and is issued by the employer of the individual in the ordinary course of the employer’s business; or            (vi)    a copy of a current bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and current address of the individual.        (3)    If an individual establishes the individual’s identity under paragraph (2) of this subsection, an election judge shall authorize the individual to vote a regular ballot.    (b)    A challenge to an individual’s right to vote shall be made before the individual is issued a ballot or a voting authority card.    (c)    If a challenge is made, and the challenged individual does not present any of the forms of identification specified under subsection (a)(2) of this section, the election judge receiving the challenge shall:        (1)    require the challenger to provide in writing, under penalty of perjury, the reasons for the challenge;        (2)    offer the challenged individual the opportunity to:            (i)    cast a provisional ballot; and            (ii)    submit an attestation, witnessed by the election judge, of the individual’s identity; and        (3)    submit the provisional ballot and other materials related to the challenge to the local board.    (d)    During the canvass of provisional ballots, the local board shall determine, based on the information submitted by the challenger and the challenged individual, whether the challenged individual is:        (1)    the registered voter he or she claims to be; and        (2)    otherwise qualified to vote.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-313 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-313 - Write-in Voting

    (a)    In any general election or special general election, a voter may write in a name for any office.    (b)    (1)    When requested by a voter, an election judge shall provide information on write-in voting.        (2)    (i)    If a voter requests information on write-in voting, an election judge shall assure that the voter is fully informed of the procedure before voting.            (ii)    If a voter is unable to write, the voter may have assistance as provided in § 10-310(c) of this subtitle.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-314 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-314 - Closing of the Polls

    (a)    (1)    The local board shall provide election judges with detailed procedures for the closing of the polls, specific to the voting system used.        (2)    The procedures shall include directions on:            (i)    the tabulation, recording, and reporting of votes if these activities are undertaken in the polling place;            (ii)    the preparation, signing, and sealing of documents and other election materials;            (iii)    the security of all equipment and materials in the polling place; and            (iv)    the return of equipment and materials to the local board.    (b)    If election results are produced in the polling place, the election judge shall admit watchers to hear the announced results.    (c)    A chief judge shall release an election judge from duty after the completion of the election judge’s assigned tasks.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-315 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 3 - Polling Place Procedures|Section 10-315 - Time Off for Employees to Vote

    (a)    Every employer in the State shall permit any employee who claims to be a registered voter in the State a period not to exceed 2 hours absence from work on election day in order to cast a ballot if the employee does not have 2 hours of continuous off-duty during the time that the polls are open.    (b)    The employer shall pay the employee for the 2 hours absence from work.    (c)    (1)    Each employee shall furnish to the employer proof that the employee has voted or attempted to vote.        (2)    The proof that an employee has voted or attempted to vote shall be on a form prescribed by the State Board.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 4 - Election Day Page Program|Section 10-401 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Page” means a student selected by a local board participating in the Program to assist the local board and election judges in performing election day duties in a polling place on election day.    (c)    “Program” means the Election Day Page Program.