reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 15 - PRECINCTS, POLLING PLACES, AND FACILITIES › Chapter 33.15.05 - Office Facilities › Section 33.15.05.03 - Equipment

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Procedures.
(1) The State Administrator shall establish procedures for the storage and maintenance of computer equipment supplied to local boards by the State.
(2) The procedures shall include standards for maintaining computer equipment in an environment free from contamination and at a temperature appropriate to prevent the computer equipment from over-heating.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.01 - Definitions; General Provisions › Section 33.16.01.01 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "HAVA" means the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-252-October 29, 2002).
(2) "Provisional ballot application" means the application that a voter must complete in order to receive a provisional ballot.
(3) "Provisional ballot packet" means all of the documents necessary for a voter to apply for and vote a provisional ballot, including:
(a) A provisional ballot application; and
(b) A ballot.
(4) Regular Ballot.
(a) "Regular ballot" means a ballot that is voted and counted at a polling place.
(b) "Regular ballot" does not include a provisional ballot.
(5) "Voter" means an individual who is eligible to receive a provisional ballot packet or applies for and casts a provisional ballot.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.01 - Definitions; General Provisions › Section 33.16.01.02 - Procedures

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Before each Statewide primary election, the State Board shall formally review and if necessary, revise these regulations for administering the provisional ballot process.
B. The State Administrator may appoint a committee to review these regulations and make recommendations to the State Board for changes. The recommendations shall be considered by the State Board if they are received at least 6 months before a Statewide primary election.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.02 - Provisional Voting Documents and Supplies › Section 33.16.02.01 - Provisional Ballot Application

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Provisional Ballot Application. Except as required in Regulation .02 of this chapter, the provisional ballot application shall include:
(1) The written affirmation required by Election Law Article, §
										9-404(b), Annotated Code of Maryland;
(2) The voter registration application;
(3) Instructions on:
(a) How to complete the provisional ballot application;
(b) How to mark and return the ballot;
(c) The free access system required by State and federal law and COMAR 33.16.07.04B; and
(d) How the voter may access the free access system to determine whether the provisional ballot application was accepted and, if not, the reason why it was not accepted;
(4) An envelope that can be sealed; and
(5) A place to affix the applicant's registration and oath document.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.02 - Provisional Voting Documents and Supplies › Section 33.16.02.02 - Extended Voting Hours Documents

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Special Provisional Ballot Application. The special provisional ballot application for extended voting hours shall only require information sufficient to identify the voter.
B. Use by Local Board. Each local board shall use the special provisional ballot application prescribed by the State Administrator.
C. Instructions. The State Administrator shall provide a local board with instructions for election judges on the procedures for voting during extended voting hours.
D. Number of Special Provisional Ballot Applications. Each local board shall provide special provisional ballot applications in an amount at least equal to the quantities specified by the State Administrator.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.02 - Provisional Voting Documents and Supplies › Section 33.16.02.03 - Provisional Ballots

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The content of the provisional ballot shall:
A. Be identical to the content of the ballot used in the precinct where the voter seeks to vote; and
B. Contain in a clear space at the top the words "Official Ballot" printed in large letters.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.02 - Provisional Voting Documents and Supplies › Section 33.16.02.04 - Provisional Ballot Bag

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The local board shall provide each precinct with the provisional ballot bag required by the State Board.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.02 - Provisional Voting Documents and Supplies › Section 33.16.02.05 - Other Supplies

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. A local board shall provide each precinct with a table, at least one chair and a privacy booth for voters who are issued a provisional ballot packet.
B. A local board may also provide a voting booth with a privacy screen for voters who are issued a provisional ballot packet.
C. A local board may combine the provisional voting station with the same day registration and address change station during early voting, and with the same day registration station on election day.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.03 - Issuance of Provisional Ballot › Section 33.16.03.01 - In General

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. A voter shall be issued a provisional ballot packet if:
(1) The voter's name is not on the precinct register;
(2) The voter is required under COMAR 33.07.06 to provide personal identification information but is unable to present the required identification;
(3) The voter's registration status is pending because the voter's driver's license or full or partial social security number could not be verified or was not provided before the precinct register was created and, if the voter appeared to vote at an early voting center during early voting or at a polling place on election day, the voter did not provide the necessary information to complete the verification inquiry required by COMAR 33.05.04.05;
(4) The voter is not eligible to vote a regular ballot because:
(a) The precinct register indicates that the voter was issued an absentee ballot or already voted;
(b) In a primary election, the voter's party affiliation listed in the precinct register differs from the voter's stated affiliation;
(c) The voter indicates, by not signing the change of address affirmation, that the voter changed residence before the close of registration; or
(d) During early voting, an individual using the same day registration process:
(i) Was not a pre-qualified voter; or
(ii) Could not provide proof of residency in the county where the individual was attempting to vote;
(5) The voter's right to vote is challenged under Election Law Article, §
										10-312, Annotated Code of Maryland, and the voter was unable to provide one of the forms of identification listed in Election Law Article, §
										10-312, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
(6) The voter votes in an election as a result of a federal or State court order or any other order extending the time established for closing the polls.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.03 - Issuance of Provisional Ballot › Section 33.16.03.02 - Before Election Day

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. At the Local Board Office.
(1) Except as provided in §B of this regulation, the election director may issue a provisional ballot packet to a voter beginning the day after the close of registration through and including election day if the voter is not or will not be eligible to vote a regular ballot in the precinct on election day.
(2) The election director may make a determination that the voter is not or will not be on the precinct register due to a clerical error. If there is a clerical error, the election director may correct the error and give the voter the option to:
(a) Vote by absentee ballot; or
(b) If the precinct register has not yet been created, go to the voter's precinct to vote a regular ballot on election day.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.03 - Issuance of Provisional Ballot › Section 33.16.03.03 - Election Day - Responsibilities of Election Judges

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The chief judges are responsible for and shall oversee provisional voting, including:
(1) Making sure that all voters who are not eligible to vote a regular ballot are offered a provisional ballot;
(2) Supervising the provisional voting area; and
(3) Ensuring the security of the provisional ballot bag and returning the ballot bag to the local board on election night.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.03 - Issuance of Provisional Ballot › Section 33.16.03.04 - Election Day - During Regular Voting Hours

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The election judge shall issue a voter a provisional ballot packet if the voter is entitled to a provisional ballot packet under Regulation .01 of this chapter.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.03 - Issuance of Provisional Ballot › Section 33.16.03.05 - Election Day - During Extended Voting Hours

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. This regulation does not apply to voters who arrive at the polls before 8 p.m. but vote after 8 p.m. due to lines and normal election day delays.
B. If a chief election judge receives notice from the election director that voting hours have been extended, the election judges shall issue all voters who arrive to vote after 8 p.m. and before the deadline established by the court order:
(1) The special provisional ballot application described in COMAR 33.16.02.02A, if the voter would have voted a regular ballot if the voter had arrived before 8 p.m.; or
(2) The provisional ballot application described in COMAR 33.16.02.01A, if the voter would have been required to vote a provisional ballot under this chapter.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.04 - Pre-Canvass Procedures › Section 33.16.04.01 - Securing Ballots

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Until the canvass begins, every provisional ballot returned by a voter shall:
A. Remain sealed in the provisional ballot application envelope; and
B. Be placed in a secure location to which the public does not have access.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.04 - Pre-Canvass Procedures › Section 33.16.04.02 - Pre-Canvass Review

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Before the Canvass.
(1) Complete Application.
(a) The election director shall review the provisional ballot application to determine if the application is complete.
(b) An application is complete if:
(i) The application is signed by the voter; and
(ii) There is sufficient information on the application for the election director to determine whether the voter is registered to vote.
(c)A special provisional ballot application for extended voting hours is complete if:
(i) The voter's name is printed on the envelope; and
(ii) The voter signed the oath printed on the envelope.
(d) A provisional ballot application used for the purpose of same day registration or address change during early voting or same day registration on election day is complete if:
(i) The registration and oath document is affixed to the provisional ballot application; and
(ii) The voter signed the registration and oath document.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.05 - Canvass of Ballots - Procedures › Section 33.16.05.01 - Conduct Generally

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The local board's review, inspection, and tabulation of provisional ballots shall:
A. Begin as provided in Regulation .03 of this chapter;
B. Be conducted separately from the review, inspection, and tabulation of polling place ballots;
C. Be conducted in a public session; and
D. Otherwise be conducted in the same manner as for polling place ballots, insofar as those procedures are appropriate.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.05 - Canvass of Ballots - Procedures › Section 33.16.05.02 - Start of Canvass

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. When Required.
(1) Except as provided in §A(2) of this regulation, the local board shall start to canvass the provisional ballots at 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday after an election.
(2) If the start of a provisional canvass falls on a legal holiday, the board shall convene the provisional canvass on the next regular business day.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.05 - Canvass of Ballots - Procedures › Section 33.16.05.03 - Disposition of Provisional Ballot Application

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Election Director Recommendation. The election director shall:
(1) Present the provisional ballot applications to the local board; and
(2) Based on the pre-canvass review of the applications, make recommendations to the local board as to whether the provisional ballot applications should be accepted or rejected.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.05 - Canvass of Ballots - Procedures › Section 33.16.05.04 - Record of Disposition

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The local board or the election director shall record on the provisional ballot application whether the provisional ballot application was accepted, either in full or in part, or rejected and, if rejected, the reason why the application was rejected.
B. This record shall furnish the basis for the information provided through the free access system required by COMAR 33.16.07.04A.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.05 - Canvass of Ballots - Procedures › Section 33.16.05.05 - Opening and Ballot Tabulation

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. If the local board rejects a provisional ballot application, the provisional ballot application envelope shall remain sealed.
B. If the local board accepts a provisional ballot application or an absentee ballot being canvassed as a provisional ballot, the ballot shall be removed from the envelope consistent with COMAR 33.11.04.05A with special consideration given to the fact that the voter's personal identification information may be contained inside the envelope with the ballot.
C. If the local board has determined under Regulation .03D of this chapter that, based on the address the voter provided on the provisional ballot application, only votes for specific contests should be counted, the local board shall form a bipartisan team and use the voter's provisional ballot to duplicate the votes for those contests for which the voter is entitled to vote.
D. Absentee Ballots. An absentee ballot being canvassed as a provisional ballot may not be opened until the start of the provisional ballot canvass.
E. The provisional ballots shall be tabulated after they are removed from the ballot envelopes, without unreasonable delay.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.05 - Canvass of Ballots - Procedures › Section 33.16.05.06 - Reporting Results

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The unofficial results of the provisional ballot canvass shall be released when the tabulation is completed.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.06 - Canvass of Ballots - Rejecting Ballots › Section 33.16.06.01 - Unanimous Vote Required

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A provisional ballot or a vote on a provisional ballot may not be rejected except by unanimous vote of the local board.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.06 - Canvass of Ballots - Rejecting Ballots › Section 33.16.06.02 - Voter Intent

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. This regulation applies whenever a ballot is not marked specifically in accordance with the instructions provided to the voter. For example, where the instructions call for:
(1) Marking a choice with an "x" in a box, and the voter uses a checkmark; or
(2) Filling in a circle, but the voter marks the choice with an asterisk.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.06 - Canvass of Ballots - Rejecting Ballots › Section 33.16.06.03 - Ballot Rejection - Basic Grounds

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The local board shall reject a provisional ballot if:
(1) The local board determines that the ballot was intentionally marked with an identifying mark that is clearly evident and placed on the ballot for the purpose of identifying the ballot; or
(2) The ballot envelope was unsealed and there is some indication that the integrity of the electoral process has been compromised.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.06 - Canvass of Ballots - Rejecting Ballots › Section 33.16.06.04 - Ballot Rejection - Multiple Ballots from the Same Individual

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. If a local board receives multiple provisional ballots from the same voter, the local board shall canvass them as follows:
(1) If a single provisional ballot application envelope contains more than one voted ballot from the same individual for the same election, all ballots from that individual shall be rejected; and
(2) If more than one provisional ballot is received from the same individual in different provisional ballot applications, the local board shall:
(a) Count the first provisional ballot cast by the voter that is legally sufficient and acceptable in full;
(b) If no provisional ballots are acceptable in full, count the first provisional ballot cast by the voter that is legally sufficient and accept in part; or
(c) Reject all ballots if none of the voter's provisional ballots are legally sufficient.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.06 - Canvass of Ballots - Rejecting Ballots › Section 33.16.06.05 - Vote or Contest Rejection

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Person No Longer a Candidate. If a provisional ballot is voted for an individual who has ceased to be a candidate, the vote for that individual may not be counted but does not invalidate the rest of the ballot.
B. Damaged or Marked Ballot. If a provisional ballot is damaged or otherwise marked so that the local board cannot determine the voter's intent in a specific contest, the local board shall reject only that contest on the ballot.
C. Erasures or Alterations. If a provisional ballot has erasures or has been altered or repaired:
(1) For all contests where the voter's intent is clear, the local board shall process the ballot or, if necessary, have it duplicated and processed; or
(2) For any contest where the local board cannot determine the voter's intent, the local board shall reject that contest on the ballot.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.07 - Post-Election Verification and Audit › Section 33.16.07.01 - Storage of Materials

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. A provisional ballot application submitted to a local board shall be retained for at least 22 months after the election.
B. If a provisional ballot application was rejected, the ballot shall remain sealed inside the provisional ballot application envelope or in any other form in which it was received from the voter.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.07 - Post-Election Verification and Audit › Section 33.16.07.02 - Public Information

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Access to Provisional Ballot Applications.
(1) Except as provided in §A(2) of this regulation, public access to provisional ballot applications prior to the completion of the canvass is prohibited.
(2) Members of the public attending a canvass shall be provided visual access to the provisional ballot applications presented at that canvass.
(3) After the canvass, access to provisional ballot applications for inspection purposes is permitted.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.07 - Post-Election Verification and Audit › Section 33.16.07.03 - Post-Election Correspondence

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The election director shall send:
A. A letter requesting personal identification information from each voter whose provisional ballot application was rejected because the voter failed to provide the required personal identification information; and
B. The appropriate letter to each voter whose provisional ballot application was rejected because the voter's registration status was pending because:
(1) The voter's driver's license or partial social security number could not be verified under COMAR 33.05.04.04; or
(2) The voter did not provide personal identification information.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.07 - Post-Election Verification and Audit › Section 33.16.07.04 - Free Access System for Determining Whether an Application Was Accepted

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In accordance with State and federal law, the State Board shall establish a free access system that any individual who casts a provisional ballot may access to determine whether a provisional ballot application was accepted and, if not, why the application was not accepted.
B. Information for Free Access System.
(1) Each election director shall use the Statewide voter registration system to enter all provisional voting information, including information about a provisional ballot voted by a non-registered voter.
(2) The State Board shall use the provisional voting information in the Statewide voter registration system for the free access system.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 16 - PROVISIONAL VOTING › Chapter 33.16.07 - Post-Election Verification and Audit › Section 33.16.07.05 - Administrative Complaint Procedures

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Any person who asserts that a State or local election official has violated provisions of law or of this subtitle relating to provisional ballots may file an administrative complaint under COMAR 33.01.05.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.01 - Definitions; General Provisions › Section 33.17.01.01 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Early voting center" means a voting location in a county that is selected pursuant to COMAR 33.17.02 at which a voter may vote during the early voting period established by Election Law Article, §
										10-301.1(d), Annotated Code of Maryland.
(2) "Optical scan voting unit" includes the ballot box that is affixed to the optical scan voting unit.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.01 - Definitions; General Provisions › Section 33.17.01.02 - Applicability to Elections

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Early voting is applicable for the following regularly scheduled elections:
(1) Presidential primary and general elections; and
(2) Gubernatorial primary and general elections
(3) Baltimore City primary and general elections.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.02 - Early Voting Centers › Section 33.17.02.01 - Number of Early Voting Centers

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Date to Determine Number of Registered Voters.
(1) The State Administrator shall determine the number of registered voters in each county as of 5 p.m. on the Tuesday that is 8 months before the primary election.
(2) For purposes of making this determination, the State Administrator shall include only active voters.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.02 - Early Voting Centers › Section 33.17.02.02 - Selecting Early Voting Centers

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Considerations for Early Voting Centers. A local board shall consider the following factors when determining the location of an early voting center:
(1) Accessibility of the early voting center to historically disenfranchised communities, including cultural groups, ethnic groups, and minority groups;
(2) Proximity of the early voting center to dense concentrations of voters such that:
(a) If a county is required by Regulation .01 of this chapter to have one or two early voting centers, 50 percent of the registered voters in the county live within 10 miles of one of the proposed early voting center; or
(b) If a county is required by Regulation .01 of this chapter to have three or more early voting centers, 80 percent of the registered voters live within 5 miles of one of the early voting centers;
(3) Accessibility of the early voting center by public transportation;
(4) Ensuring equitable distribution of early voting centers throughout the county;
(5) Maximizing voter participation, including through the use of community centers and public gathering places as locations for early voting centers;
(6) Whether the early voting center can accommodate long lines of voters, including taking into consideration how voters waiting in line are protected against inclement weather; and
(7) Whether the early voting center has parking facilities sufficient for early voting, taking into consideration the normal business activities of the proposed early voting center.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.02 - Early Voting Centers › Section 33.17.02.03 - Agreement for Early Voting Center

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Agreement Required. A local board shall enter into a legally binding agreement with an authorized representative of the facility where early voting will be conducted.
B. Required Provisions. The agreement shall contain the following provisions:
(1) The dates and times when a local board requires access to the facility;
(2) The amount of compensation, if any, a local board is required to pay to use the facility as an early voting center;
(3) Authorization to install and test equipment and telecommunications connections before early voting, and remove equipment and connections after early voting;
(4) Authorization to install temporary measures to improve access to the early voting center for voters with disabilities;
(5) Require the facility to provide a local board with its policies and procedures for inclement weather and other emergency situations;
(6) Whether the facility or the local board is responsible for providing appropriate services in case of inclement weather or other emergency situations;
(7) If agreed to by the facility's authorized representative, a copy of the facility's disaster recovery plan;
(8) Authorization to establish a no electioneering zone during early voting; and
(9) Authorization to allow exit polling within the no electioneering zone.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.02 - Early Voting Centers › Section 33.17.02.04 - Security Plans for Early Voting Center

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Security Plan Required. With the form required by Regulation .02C of this chapter, an election director shall submit an early voting security plan for approval to the State Administrator.
B. Contents of Plan.
(1) The early voting security plan shall describe in detail how a local board will keep voting equipment, electronic pollbooks, ballots, and other election equipment and supplies secure during early voting and non-early voting hours.
(2) The plan shall include:
(a) A description of each entrance, including windows, to the area where equipment and supplies will be secured during non-early voting hours and how the entrance is secured;
(b) The names and titles of all individuals who have a key or keys to the room where equipment and supplies will be secured during non-early voting hours;
(c) A description of existing building security, such as alarms and closed circuit or Internet accessible cameras, and armed and unarmed guards at the facility; and
(d) Any additional security measures that will be taken during early voting and non-early voting hours.
(3) At the request of the State Administrator or when it is considered necessary, an election director shall:
(a) Review and update the early voting security plan; and
(b) If updated, within 2 days of updating the plan, submit a copy of the updated plan to the State Administrator.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.03 - Public Notice of Early Voting › Section 33.17.03.01 - Public Education Plan

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Plan Development.
(1) State Administrator to Develop. The State Administrator shall develop a public education plan to educate voters about early voting.
(2) Minimum Components. The plan shall include:
(a) A preelection mailing that:
(i) Is sent to all active, registered voters at least one week before early voting starts; and
(ii) Includes the date and time for early voting and the locations of the early voting centers;
(b) Public service announcements;
(c) Promotional materials; and
(d) Text for websites providing:
(i) The dates and times of early voting;
(ii) The locations of the early voting centers; and
(iii) If possible, maps and photographs of the early voting centers.
(3) Initial Implementation. The State Administrator shall specify in the public education plan:
(a) Those components that are required for each early voting period; and
(b) Those components that are required only during the initial implementation of early voting.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.04 - Early Voting Center Equipment and Materials › Section 33.17.04.01 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter, the following term has the meaning indicated.
B. Term Defined. Estimated Daily Turnout.
(1) "Estimated daily turnout" means the number of registered voters estimated to vote daily at each early voting center.
(2) "Estimated daily turnout" is determined using the worksheet attached to the form required by COMAR 33.17.02.02A.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.04 - Early Voting Center Equipment and Materials › Section 33.17.04.02 - Preparing the Early Voting Center

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. For the purpose of networking the electronic pollbooks, each early voting center shall have a broadband network connection that:
(1) Is used only for early voting; and
(2) Meets the requirements established by the State Administrator.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.04 - Early Voting Center Equipment and Materials › Section 33.17.04.03 - Allocation of Equipment and Supplies

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Voting Equipment.
(1) The State Administrator, in consultation with the local boards, shall determine the number of voting units and electronic pollbooks assigned to each precinct.
(2) For purposes of determining the number of voting units and electronic pollbooks under §A(1) of this regulation, the State Administrator shall consider:
(a) The estimated daily turnout by each early voting center;
(b) The estimated turnout for election day and absentee voting;
(c) Historical turnout during early voting;
(d) The length of the ballot; and
(e) Any other factor deemed to impact turnout and the length of time to vote.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.04 - Early Voting Center Equipment and Materials › Section 33.17.04.04 - Delivery to and Return from Early Voting Center

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Board to Develop. The local board shall develop and, with the approval of the State Administrator, adopt a written plan for the prompt and secure delivery of voting units and other election equipment and materials to and from each early voting center.
B. Inclusions. The plan shall specify the methods of, and time frames for, these deliveries and returns.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.04 - Early Voting Center Equipment and Materials › Section 33.17.04.05 - Early Voting Center Readiness and Set-Up

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The local board shall prepare and set up each early voting centers as required by:
(1) The election judges' instructions; and
(2) All directives of the State Board or State Administrator.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.04 - Early Voting Center Equipment and Materials › Section 33.17.04.06 - Information for Voters at Early Voting Centers

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Except as provided in §B of this regulation, a local board shall post at each early voting center:
(1) The information required by Election Law Article, §
										10-306, Annotated Code of Maryland;
(2) The number of voters who have voted as specified in the election judges' manual;
(3) A sign, prescribed by the State Administrator, informing voters that:
(a) Absentee ballots cannot be issuedat an early voting center; and
(b) A voter may not leave with a ballot issued at an early voting center; and
(4) Any other sign required by the State Administrator.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.05 - Election Judges › Section 33.17.05.01 - Local Board Employees

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. If a local board appoints an employee to serve as an election judge, the employee may not perform any duties other than those of an election judge.
B. At least one employee or board member of a local board shall be present at an early voting center for the following activities:
(1) Setting up the early voting center each day of early voting; and
(2) Closing down the early voting center each day of early voting.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.05 - Election Judges › Section 33.17.05.02 - Number of Election Judges

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
For each early voting center, a local board shall appoint the following:
A. Two election judges of different party affiliations to serve as chief judges;
B. At least one election judge to facilitate provisional voting;
C. One election judge for each electronic pollbook;
D. At least two election judges to facilitate voting at the voting booths and ballot marking devices; and
E. One technical judge, unless the local board assigns an individual who is not an election judge to provide any necessary technical support.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.05 - Election Judges › Section 33.17.05.03 - Training of Election Judges

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Required Materials. The State Administrator shall develop and issue for the local boards:
(1) A judges' manual that includes all information necessary to conduct early voting; and
(2) Instruction sheets summarizing certain early voting procedures
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.01 - Officials' Duties Generally

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In General. All local boards, their members, attorneys, election directors, staff members, election judges, and other assigned personnel shall faithfully and diligently perform all of the functions and duties that are assigned to them, collectively or categorically, by federal or State law or regulation, or by any manual, procedure, guideline, directive, or other instruction issued under federal or State law or regulation.
B. Local Board Members.
(1) Oath or Affirmation.
(a) Each local board member shall, before the start of early voting, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation:
I . . . . . . . ., do swear, (or affirm as the case may be,) that I will support the Constitution of the United States; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support the Constitution and Laws thereof; and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice, execute the office of Board of Canvassers, according to the Constitution and Laws of this State.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.02 - Communications During Early Voting

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Between Office and Early Voting Centers. The local board shall ensure that, throughout early voting, each early voting center is equipped with the ability to communicate directly with the local board office.
B. Communications Log.
(1) Each local board shall maintain an early voting communications log.
(2) The communications log shall contain the information listed in COMAR 33.07.03.02C.
(3) If requested by the State Administrator, the election director shall submit, within the time the State Administrator requests, a copy of the communications log.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.03 - Early Voting Center Evaluation Program

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Establishment Required. Each election director shall develop and, with the approval of the State Administrator, establish and implement an early voting center evaluation program using the early voting center evaluation form issued by the State Administrator.
B. Elements.
(1) The program shall provide for at least two unannounced visits to each early voting center to assess the election judges' compliance with applicable procedures and their general performance.
(2) Board members, staff members, independent contractors, or volunteers may be used to make these visits and assessments, as long as they have been properly trained in the early voting procedures outlined in the election judges' manual and supplement.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.04 - Order and Decorum

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Media.
(1) Presence Allowed. Representatives of print or electronic media are permitted in an early voting center as long as their activities do not:
(a) Cause disruption;
(b) Infringe on voter privacy;
(c) Inhibit election judges from performing their duties; or
(d) Otherwise interfere with the orderly conduct of the election.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.05 - Ballots - In General

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Absentee Ballots. During early voting, a local board shall:
(1) Issue and receive absentee ballots at the local board office pursuant to COMAR 33.11; and
(2) Ensure that absentee ballots are not issued at an early voting center.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.06 - Special Assistance

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Inability to Sign.
(1) Subject to the requirements of §A(2) of this regulation:
(a) If a voter is unable to sign a form used at an early voting center, an "X" or similar mark shall be accepted as that individual's signature; and
(b) If a voter is unable to make a mark, the requirement for a signature is met by the execution of the endorsement described in §A(2) of this regulation.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.07 - Identification Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Scope. This regulation applies only to an individual who:
(1) Registered to vote in Maryland after January 1, 2003;
(2) Submitted the voter registration application by mail or is required to provide personal identification information to complete a verification inquiry under COMAR 33.05.04.04B;
(3) Is voting in Maryland for the first time after January 1, 2004; and
(4) Is voting in person at an early voting center.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.08 - Challengers and Watchers

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Designating Entities. The procedures specified in COMAR 33.07.07.01B apply to designating entities appointing challengers or watchers for early voting.
B. Permissive Activities of Accredited Challengers or Watchers . An accredited challenger or watcher may perform the activities defined in Election Law Article, §
									10-311(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 33.07.07.02B.
C. Prohibited Acts of Challengers or Watchers. The prohibited acts and removal process specified in COMAR 33.07.07.03B apply during early voting.
D. Election Judges. The requirements for election judges specified in COMAR 33.07.07.04B apply during early voting.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.09 - Challenging Voters

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The process specified in COMAR 33.07.08 for challenging voters applies during early voting.
B. Grounds for Challenge. A challenger may challenge an individual's right to vote only if the challenger has a reasonable basis for asserting that the individual seeking to vote is not the registered voter that the individual claims to be.
C. Challenge Record.
(1) In General. If a challenge is made to a voter's identity and the challenged individual does not present any of the forms of identification specified in Election Law Article, §
										10-312(a)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland, the Chief Judge or Chief Judges shall record the proceedings on an identity challenge record, in the form that the State Administrator prescribes.
(2) Contents. The form shall contain appropriate places for:
(a) The challenger and the challenged voter to sign an oath or affirmation, under penalties of perjury, that the individual's responses and statements will be the truth;
(b) The signature of the Chief Judge who administered each oath; and
(c) The reason given for the challenge.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.10 - Electioneering

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Electioneering - Election Offices. Electioneering is prohibited within the offices of a local board or the State Board on each day of early voting.
B. Clothing, Buttons, etc., in an Early Voting Center.
(1) In General. Except as specified in §B(2) of this regulation, an individual, including any candidate, watcher, or challenger, may not enter the No Electioneering Zone outside an early voting center while visibly wearing or carrying any clothing, button, sticker, sign, or other paraphernalia that indicates support or opposition to a candidate, question, or contest.
(2) Exception. This regulation does not apply to clothing, buttons, or stickers worn by a voter who, without lingering, enters the early voting center, votes, and then leaves.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.06 - Early Voting Activities › Section 33.17.06.11 - Exit Polling

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In General. Exit polling, whether by questionnaire or interview, is permitted within the No Electioneering Zone outside an early voting center, subject to the conditions specified in §B of this regulation.
B. Conditions. A pollster:
(1) May not enter the voting room;
(2) May not ask questions of a voter until the voter has left the voting room;
(3) Shall inform each voter being polled that the voter's participation is voluntary; and
(4) May not electioneer.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.07 - Non-Voting Hours Procedures › Section 33.17.07.01 - Voting Equipment Supplies

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
At the end of each night of early voting, the local board shall ensure that:
A. The election judges have closed all equipment in accordance with the procedures in the election judges' manual;
B. All equipment, unvoted ballots, and supplies are secured in accordance with the security plan required by COMAR 33.17.02.04B;
C. The following supplies are returned to the local board office:
(1) The sealed provisional ballot bag with completed provisional ballot applications and voted provisional ballots; and
(2) All signed voter authority cards;
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 33 - STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS › Subtitle 17 - EARLY VOTING › Chapter 33.17.07 - Non-Voting Hours Procedures › Section 33.17.07.02 - Early Voting Center

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
At the end of each night of early voting, the local board shall ensure that the room in which early voting is conducted and any designated storage areas are secured in accordance with the security plan required by COMAR 33.17.02.04B.