reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-402 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 4 - Election Day Page Program|Section 10-402 - Election Day Page Program

    (a)    There is an Election Day Page Program.    (b)    The purpose of the Program is to:        (1)    stimulate the interest of students in the election process;        (2)    provide assistance to election judges in polling places on election day; and        (3)    ensure the safe entry and exit of elderly voters and voters with disabilities from polling places.    (c)    The State Board:        (1)    shall develop a page training program for use by participating local boards that includes the duties, responsibilities, and prohibited conduct of pages at a polling place on election day; and        (2)    may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-403 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 4 - Election Day Page Program|Section 10-403 - Participation by Local Board

    (a)    (1)    A local board may participate in the Program.        (2)    A participating local board shall implement or use components of the page training program developed by the State Board under § 10–402(c)(1) of this subtitle.        (3)    A participating local board may request from the State Board a waiver from a requirement established under this subtitle.    (b)    Each participating local board shall:        (1)    be responsible for the staffing of and implementation of a page training program;        (2)    ensure each page receives the required training before election day; and        (3)    encourage individuals at least 16 years old who apply to the Program to train as an election judge.    (c)    An individual may not work as a page in a polling place unless the individual has completed the training provided by the local board.    (d)    Each participating local board, in collaboration with the local school system, shall establish a procedure for the selection of pages by the local board.    (e)    Each participating local board may recognize and certify community service hours for pages.    (f)    This section does not require a local board to participate in the Program.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-404 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 4 - Election Day Page Program|Section 10-404 - Pages

    (a)    To qualify as a page, an individual must:        (1)    be at least 14 years old;        (2)    apply to the local board in the individual’s county of residence;        (3)    be available to work at least one full 4–hour shift on election day; and        (4)    complete the required training before election day.    (b)    A page may not:        (1)    engage in any partisan activity while working at a polling place; or        (2)    handle or touch a marked ballot at any time.    (c)    A page may work up to two 4–hour shifts at a polling place on election day.    (d)    Each page shall:        (1)    serve under the direct supervision of the chief election judges for the assigned polling place; and        (2)    assist election judges with election day duties, as directed.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  10-405 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 10 - Polling Places|Subtitle 4 - Election Day Page Program|Section 10-405 - Written Oath

    (a)    Each page shall take and subscribe to a written oath.    (b)    The signed oath, when returned to the local board, shall constitute the commission of the position of election day page.    (c)    Each local board shall prescribe a form for the combined oath and commission required under this section.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-101 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 1 - Definitions|Section 11-101 - Definitions

    (a)    In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Board of canvassers” means the local board of elections in a county after the local board organizes itself for the purpose of canvassing the vote after an election in that county.    (c)    (1)    “Canvass” means the entire process of vote tallying, vote tabulation, and vote verification or audit, culminating in the production and certification of the official election results.        (2)    For absentee ballots, the “canvass” includes the opening of any envelope accompanying an absentee ballot and the assembly and review of absentee ballots in preparation for vote tallying.        (3)    For provisional ballots, the “canvass” includes the review of the provisional ballot applications described in § 11–303 of this title and the assembly and review of provisional ballots in preparation for vote tallying.        (4)    For votes cast during early voting, the “canvass” includes the tabulation of votes cast during early voting.        (5)    For votes cast in a special election conducted by mail under Title 9, Subtitle 5 of this article, the “canvass” includes:            (i)    the opening of any envelope accompanying a vote–by–mail ballot and the assembly and review of vote–by–mail ballots in preparation for vote tabulation; and            (ii)    the tabulation of vote–by–mail ballots.    (d)    “Counting center” means one or more central locations designated by a local board to conduct the canvass.    (e)    “Removable data storage device” means a read–only memory device that is programmed to record votes as they are cast on an electronic voting system.    (f)    (1)    “Unofficial returns” means a vote tabulation reported on election night after the polls close.        (2)    “Unofficial returns” does not include the absentee ballot count or the provisional ballot count.    (g)    “Vote tabulation” or “vote counting” means the aggregation of the votes cast by individual voters to produce vote totals at any level.    (h)    “Vote tallying” means the recording of votes cast by individual voters on a certified voting system whether done by:        (1)    a mechanical lever voting machine;        (2)    an electronic voting device; or        (3)    making marks manually on a tally sheet.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 2 - Closing the Polls|Section 11-201 - Regulations

    The State Board shall adopt regulations consistent with the provisions of this title governing the canvass.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 2 - Closing the Polls|Section 11-202 - Election Judges -- Procedures for Vote Counting

    (a)    (1)    Each qualified voter present at the polls at 8 p.m. on election day shall be allowed to vote before the election judges commence their duties under this section.        (2)    In accordance with the provisions of this article and regulations adopted by the State Board, after the last voter has voted in an election, the election judges shall follow the instructions issued by the election director for closing the polls and for performing the tasks required in the postclosing period.    (b)    In accordance with this section, the election judges shall:        (1)    secure the voting system to prevent further voting;        (2)    if appropriate to the voting system, record the vote, produce vote totals for the polling place, and announce results to those present;        (3)    complete all documents, records, and reports required by law or regulation after the closing of the polls;        (4)    perform any other tasks assigned by the election director;        (5)    assemble and account for materials to be returned to the local board, including, if applicable for the voting system used in that election:            (i)    removable data storage devices from voting equipment;            (ii)    voted ballots;            (iii)    precinct registers;            (iv)    voting authority cards;            (v)    signs and posters;            (vi)    records, reports, logs, affidavits, certificates, and other documents;            (vii)    keys to voting devices;            (viii)    poll books; and            (ix)    any other materials specified by the election director;        (6)    assure that equipment and materials left in the polling place for retrieval at a later time are stored in a secure manner; and        (7)    deliver materials and equipment to the local board and obtain receipts from the board certifying the delivery of the items.    (c)    Judges may be observed, while performing their duties under this section, until they have finished their work and leave the premises by:        (1)    authorized challengers, watchers, and observers in accordance with § 10-311 of this article;        (2)    any candidate; and        (3)    any other person lawfully present.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-301 - Organization of Local Boards of Canvassers

    (a)    A board of canvassers shall:        (1)    convene at the designated counting center for that county on or before the day of the election, but not later than 5 p.m. on that day, and be sworn in; and        (2)    meet only in public session.    (a–1)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a board of canvassers and the staff of a local board may be observed as they complete each part of the canvass by authorized observers designated under paragraph (2) of this subsection and any other individuals who wish to be present.        (2)    The following individuals or entities have the right to designate a registered voter as an observer at each counting center:            (i)    a candidate;            (ii)    a political party; and            (iii)    any other group of voters supporting or opposing a candidate, principle, or proposition on the ballot.        (3)    The State Board may adopt regulations prohibiting public observation of a part of the canvass only if prohibiting public observation is necessary to ensure:            (i)    the integrity or accuracy of the canvass; or            (ii)    that the canvass process is not impeded.        (4)    The State Board shall ensure that the requirements of this subsection are implemented uniformly and consistently by each local board.    (b)    Each board of canvassers shall elect by majority vote a chairman and secretary from among its members.    (c)    Each member of the board of canvassers shall take an oath, administered and recorded by the clerk of the circuit court, to canvass and declare the votes cast truthfully and to perform other duties required by law.    (d)    (1)    At the first meeting of the board of canvassers for the purpose of canvassing, a majority of the whole board of canvassers shall be a quorum.        (2)    If a quorum is not present, the members present shall adjourn until the next day.    (e)    Except as otherwise provided in this article, all decisions shall be reached by a majority vote of the members present.    (f)    In Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, if a member is not present at the scheduled time for vote canvassing, a substitute member of the board of canvassers may be sworn in.    (g)    At least one member of the board of canvassers present shall be a registered voter of the principal minority party.    (h)    Once the board has satisfied the requirements of subsections (a) through (g) of this section, it may proceed with the canvass in accordance with the regulations of the State Board.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-302 - Canvassing of Absentee Ballots

    (a)    Following an election, each local board shall meet at its designated counting center to canvass the absentee ballots cast in that election in accordance with the regulations and guidelines established by the State Board.    (b)    (1)    A local board may not open any envelope of an absentee ballot prior to 8 a.m. on the Wednesday following election day.        (2)    A local board may not delay the commencement of the canvass to await the receipt of late-arriving, timely absentee ballots.    (c)    (1)    An absentee ballot shall be deemed timely received if it is received in accordance with the regulations and guidelines established by the State Board.        (2)    An absentee ballot that is received after the deadline specified by the regulations and guidelines may not be counted.    (d)    (1)    The State Board shall adopt regulations that reflect the policy that the clarity of the intent of the voter is the overriding consideration in determining the validity of an absentee ballot or the vote cast in a particular contest.        (2)    A local board may not reject an absentee ballot except by unanimous vote and in accordance with regulations of the State Board.        (3)    The local board shall reject an absentee ballot if:            (i)    the voter failed to sign the oath on the ballot envelope;            (ii)    the local board received more than one ballot from the same individual for the same election in the same ballot envelope; or            (iii)    the local board determines that an absentee ballot is intentionally marked with an identifying mark that is clearly evident and placed on the ballot for the purpose of identifying the ballot.        (4)    If the local board receives more than one legally sufficient ballot, in separate envelopes, from the same individual, the local board shall:            (i)    count only the ballot with the latest properly signed oath; and            (ii)    reject any other ballot.        (5)    If the intent of the voter is not clearly demonstrated, the local board shall reject only the vote for that office or question.        (6)    If an absentee voter casts a vote for an individual who has ceased to be a candidate, the vote for that candidate may not be counted, but that vote does not invalidate the remainder of the ballot.    (e)    At the end of each day of canvassing, a local board shall prepare and release a report of the unofficial results of the absentee ballot vote tabulation.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-303 - Canvassing of Provisional Ballots

    (a)    Following an election, each local board shall meet at its designated counting center to canvass the provisional ballots cast in that election in accordance with the regulations and guidelines established by the State Board.    (b)    A local board may not open an envelope of a provisional ballot until the local board has approved the provisional ballot application.    (c)    The State Board shall adopt regulations to implement this section.    (d)    (1)    A local board may not reject a provisional ballot except by unanimous vote and in accordance with regulations of the State Board.        (2)    The local board shall reject a provisional ballot if:            (i)    pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the local board determines that the individual who cast the provisional ballot is not qualified to vote that provisional ballot;            (ii)    the individual failed to sign the oath on the provisional ballot application;            (iii)    the individual cast more than one ballot for the same election; or            (iv)    the local board determines that a provisional ballot is intentionally marked with an identifying mark that is clearly evident and placed on the ballot for the purpose of identifying the ballot.        (3)    If the intent of the voter with respect to a particular contest is not clearly demonstrated, the local board shall reject only the vote for that contest.        (4)    For the purposes of this section, an individual is qualified to vote the provisional ballot cast if the local board determines that:            (i)    the individual is registered in the State;            (ii)    if the provisional ballot was cast because the voter failed to provide required identification, the individual who cast the provisional ballot has met the identification requirements established by the State Board; and            (iii)    if the provisional ballot was cast during a period covered by a court order or other order extending the time for closing the polls, the order has not been invalidated by a subsequent court order.    (e)    A local board shall count:        (1)    the entire provisional ballot if the address on the provisional ballot application is within the precinct where the provisional ballot was cast; or        (2)    only the votes cast by the voter for each candidate or question applicable to the precinct in which the voter resides, as determined by the address on the provisional ballot application of the voter.    (f)    (1)    The State Board shall ensure the establishment of a system that any individual who casts a provisional ballot may access without cost to discover whether the ballot was counted and, if not counted, the reason it was not.        (2)    The system established under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall ensure the confidentiality of the individual who accesses the system and the secrecy of each ballot.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-303.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-303.1 - Counting Properly Cast Ballots -- Death of Voter

    A ballot properly cast by a voter who dies before the ballot is canvassed shall be counted in full unless a law or regulation requires that the ballot be fully or partially rejected for a reason unrelated to the death of the voter.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-304 - Rejected Absentee Ballot; Appeal

    (a)    A candidate or absentee voter aggrieved by the decision of a local board to reject, or not to reject, an absentee ballot shall have the right of appeal to the circuit court for the county.    (b)    The appeal must be filed within 5 days from the date of the completion of the official canvass by the board of all the votes cast at the election.    (c)    The appeal shall be heard de novo, without a jury, as soon as possible.    (d)    (1)    The decision of the circuit court may be appealed to the Court of Special Appeals, provided the appeal is taken within 48 hours from the entry of the decision of the circuit court.        (2)    The appeal shall be heard and decided on the original papers, including a written transcript of the testimony taken in the case.        (3)    The original papers and the transcript shall be transmitted to the Court of Special Appeals within 5 days from the taking of the appeal, and the appeal shall be heard as soon as possible.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-305 - Administrative Complaints

    Any person who asserts that an election official has violated the provisions of this article relating to provisional ballots may file an administrative complaint under procedures established by the State Board.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-306 - Custody and Security of Documents and Records Related to the Canvass

    The person designated to maintain custody of the documents and records required under this title shall maintain and secure those items in accordance with the regulations adopted by the State Board.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-307 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-307 - Errors in Canvass Documents

    (a)    If a board of canvassers determines that there appears to be an error in the documents or records produced at the polling place following an election, then it immediately shall investigate the matter to ascertain whether the records or documents are correct.    (b)    The board of canvassers may correct a document or record only in accordance with the regulations of the State Board.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-308 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 3 - Vote Canvassing by Local Board|Section 11-308 - Verification of Vote Count

    (a)    Within 10 days after any election, and before certifying the results of the election, each board of canvassers shall verify the vote count in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the State Board for the voting system used in that election.    (b)    Upon completion of the verification process, the members of the board of canvassers shall:        (1)    certify in writing that the election results are accurate and that the vote has been verified; and        (2)    provide copies of the election results to the persons specified under § 11-401 of this title.    (c)    (1)    If a member of a board of canvassers dissents from a determination of an election result or reasonably believes that the conduct of a local board member or local board proceeding was not in compliance with applicable law or regulation or was otherwise illegal or irregular, the member shall prepare and file with the local board a distinct written statement of the reasons for the dissent or concern.        (2)    The State Board shall maintain a file of the written statements submitted under this subsection by members of the local boards.
MD. Election Law Code Ann. §  11-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Election Law|Title 11 - Canvassing|Subtitle 4 - Certification of Election Results by Local Board|Section 11-401 - Certified Copies of Results

    (a)    (1)    After each election, each board of canvassers shall transmit one certified copy of the election results in its county, attested by the signatures of the chairperson and secretary of the board of canvassers, to:            (i)    the Governor;            (ii)    the State Board; and            (iii)    the clerk of the circuit court for the appropriate county.        (2)    The statement may be mailed or delivered in person.    (b)    After each general election in which votes have been cast for a write–in candidate, each board of canvassers shall transmit a statement of returns of the votes cast for write–in candidates who have filed a certificate of candidacy.    (c)    (1)    The transmittal shall be made on the second Friday after a primary or general election or, if the canvass is completed after that date, within 48 hours after the completion of the canvass.        (2)    (i)    Except as specified in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, after a special primary or special general election, the transmittal shall be made as soon as possible, but no later than the second Friday after the election.            (ii)    After a special primary or special general election that is held at the same time as a primary or general election, the transmittal shall be made in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.    (d)    The clerk of the circuit court shall record the election results filed with the court under this section.