Election Law (GEL) — Title 10. Polling Places

Each local board shall designate a polling place that meets the requirements of this subsection for each precinct in the county as established by the local board in accordance with Title 2 of this article.

Each polling place shall:

If a polling place is located in a building owned or leased by a volunteer fire company or rescue squad, the volunteer fire company or rescue squad may require the local board to pay for the use of the space that is needed in the building for the proper conduct of any election.

In Charles County, the local board may use private firehouses, private halls, and other buildings for polling places.

In Montgomery County, the County Board of Education shall make available the space and custodial service as needed for the proper conduct of elections upon application by the local board.

The State Board shall adopt regulations governing the use of a building or part of a building that is owned, occupied, or partially occupied by an establishment that holds an alcoholic beverages license as a polling place.

The regulations adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall require a local board to prioritize the placement of polling locations in buildings that are not owned, occupied, or partially occupied by an establishment that holds an alcoholic beverages license.

To qualify for a reassignment by the local board, the voter shall submit a request in writing to the local board not later than the close of registration for the election.

The request may be made on a form prescribed by the State Board.

assign the voter to an election district, ward, or precinct in the voter’s county that contains a structurally barrier free polling place; or

issue the voter an absentee ballot in accordance with the procedures established under Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article.

An election judge shall be appointed in accordance with the requirements of § 10–203 of this subtitle.

Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, to the extent practicable, each polling place shall have an equal number of election judges, including chief judges designated under § 10–203 of this subtitle, from:

If the total number of election judges for a precinct is six or more:

disseminate information on the importance of election judges;

disseminate information on how to apply to be an election judge, eligibility requirements, and compensation; and

target diverse voter populations, including multilingual individuals.

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.

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

the election judge compensation as specified in § 10–205 of this subtitle.

Subject to subsection (f) of this section, 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 adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection 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.

The State Board shall adopt regulations to standardize and minimize forms or documentation required to:

A local board or county government may not require additional forms or documentation for election judges or prospective election judges in excess of the forms or documentation required in regulations adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

be designated chief judge; and

supervise the staff at the polling place.

the local board excuses the person for good cause; or

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.

Each election judge shall take and subscribe to a written oath prescribed in Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

The signed oath, when returned to the local board, shall constitute the commission of office for the election judge.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Compensation” includes stipends for transportation, training, and bonus payments.

“Returning election judge” means an election judge who has served a term of office for the immediately preceding statewide election.

A local board shall pay an election judge for:

earn hours toward the service–learning requirement for graduation under COMAR 13A.03.02.05; or

receive the election judge compensation under this section.

develop a program of instruction of election judges; and

oversee the implementation of the program of instruction.

an instruction manual and other written directives;

curriculum for training sessions; and

audiovisuals.

all features of the voting system that provide access to voters with disabilities; and

the rights of voters with disabilities, including those rights guaranteed by State and federal law.

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.

An election judge who is appointed under emergency circumstances is not required to attend the course of instruction.

in the voter’s assigned precinct on election day; or

at an early voting center in the voter’s county of residence on any early voting day in accordance with this section.

Each county shall have at least one early voting center established in the county as prescribed in this subsection.

A county with fewer than 50,000 registered voters shall have one early voting center established in the county.

A county with at least 50,000 registered voters but fewer than 100,000 registered voters shall have two early voting centers established in the county.

A county with at least 100,000 registered voters but fewer than 200,000 registered voters shall have three early voting centers established in the county.

A county with at least 200,000 registered voters but fewer than 300,000 registered voters shall have five early voting centers established in the county.

A county with at least 300,000 registered voters but fewer than 400,000 registered voters shall have seven early voting centers established in the county.

A county with at least 400,000 registered voters but fewer than 500,000 registered voters shall have nine early voting centers established in the county.

A county with at least 500,000 registered voters but fewer than 600,000 registered voters shall have 11 early voting centers established in the county.

A county with at least 600,000 registered voters shall have 13 early voting centers established in the county.

In addition to the early voting centers required in this subsection, each county may establish one additional early voting center if:

beginning the second Thursday before a primary or general election through the Thursday before the election; and

during the hours between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. each early voting day.

Each early voting center shall satisfy the requirements of § 10–101 of this title.

Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the public official responsible for the use of a public building requested by a local board for an early voting center shall make the public building available to the local board in accordance with § 10–101(a)(3) of this title.

a series of public service media announcements;

mailings to all registered voters in each county; and

other measures as appropriate.

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

take measures throughout election day to ensure that:

is in plain view;

identifies the person as an election judge; and

identifies the person by name and by the ward and precinct or election district for which the person is an election judge.

keep the peace; and

order the arrest of any person who:

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.

An election judge shall designate reasonable times for challengers and watchers to examine polling lists.

A police officer who is on duty at a polling place shall obey the order of an election judge for that polling place, the State Administrator, the Deputy State Administrator, or a local election director.

A police officer making an arrest under an order of an election judge, the State Administrator, the Deputy State Administrator, or a local election director is fully protected in so doing as if the police officer received a valid warrant to make the arrest.

the local board may fill the vacancy with a substitute election judge who has been recruited and trained; or

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.

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

a chief election judge shall document any change in the polling place staff in the records of the polling place.

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:

A local board may produce other materials appropriate for the polling places in the county.

keep the peace; and

order the arrest of any person who:

While serving in a polling place, a local election director 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.

a voter;

an individual who accompanies a voter in need of assistance in accordance with § 10–310(c) of this subtitle;

polling place staff;

a member or other representative of the State Board or local board;

an accredited watcher or challenger under § 10–311 of this subtitle;

an individual under the age of 18 who accompanies a voter in accordance with § 10–310(c) of this subtitle, provided that:

any other individual authorized by the State Board or local board.

locate the individual’s name in the election register and locate the preprinted voting authority card and then authorize the individual to vote a regular ballot;

establish the identity of the voter by requesting the voter to state the month and day of the voter’s birth and comparing the response to the information listed in the election register;

if any changes to the voting authority card are indicated by a voter, make the appropriate changes in information on the card or other appropriate form; and

have the voter sign the voting authority card and either issue the voter a ballot or send the voter to a machine to vote.

Before a voter enters a voting booth, at the request of the voter, an election judge shall:

If the voter requires the assistance of another in voting but declines to select an individual to assist, an election judge, in the presence of another election judge that represents another political party, shall assist the voter in the manner prescribed by the voter.

An individual assisting a voter may not suggest in any way how the voter should vote for a particular ticket, candidate, or position on a question.

If a voter requires assistance under paragraph (4) or (5) of this subsection, the election judge shall record, on a form prescribed by the State Board, the name of the voter who required assistance and the name of the individual providing assistance to the voter.

Except as provided in paragraph (3) or (4) of this subsection, an individual over the age of 17 years may not accompany a voter into a voting booth.

The following persons have the right to designate a registered voter as an accredited challenger or a watcher at each polling place or early voting center:

A person who appoints an accredited challenger or watcher may remove the challenger or watcher at any time.

enter the polling place or early voting center one–half hour before the polls open;

enter or be present at the polling place or early voting center at any time when the polls are open;

remain in the polling place or early voting center until the completion of all tasks associated with the close of the polls under § 10–314 of this subtitle and the election judges leave the polling place or early voting center;

maintain a list of registered voters who have voted, or individuals who have cast provisional ballots, and take the list outside of the polling place or early voting center; and

enter and leave a polling place or early voting center for the purpose of taking outside of the polling place or early voting center information that identifies registered voters who have cast ballots or individuals who have cast provisional ballots.

A challenger or watcher shall be positioned near the election judges and inside the voting room so that the challenger or watcher may see and hear each person as the person offers to vote.

A challenger or watcher may not attempt to:

An election judge or a local election director may eject a challenger or watcher who violates the prohibitions under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, an election judge shall allow an individual other than an accredited challenger or watcher who desires to challenge the right to vote of any other individual to enter the polling place or early voting center for that purpose.

A majority of the election judges or a local election director may limit the number of nonaccredited challengers and watchers allowed in the polling place or early voting center at any one time for the purpose of challenging the right of an individual to vote.

A nonaccredited challenger or watcher shall leave the polling place or early voting center as soon as a majority of the election judges or a local election director decides the right to vote of the individual challenged by the challenger or watcher.

In addition to restrictions provided under this subsection, all restrictions on the actions of an accredited challenger or watcher provided under this subtitle apply to a nonaccredited challenger or watcher.

The right of an individual to vote may be challenged at the polls only on the grounds of identity.

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:

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.

require the challenger to provide in writing, under penalty of perjury, the reasons for the challenge;

offer the challenged individual the opportunity to:

submit the provisional ballot and other materials related to the challenge to the local board.

the registered voter he or she claims to be; and

otherwise qualified to vote.

When requested by a voter, an election judge shall provide information on write-in voting.

The local board shall provide election judges with detailed procedures for the closing of the polls, specific to the voting system used.

The procedures shall include directions on:

Each employee shall furnish to the employer proof that the employee has voted or attempted to vote.

The proof that an employee has voted or attempted to vote shall be on a form prescribed by the State Board.

stimulate the interest of students in the election process;

provide assistance to election judges in polling places on election day; and

ensure the safe entry and exit of elderly voters and voters with disabilities from polling places.

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

may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.

A local board may participate in the Program.

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.

A participating local board may request from the State Board a waiver from a requirement established under this subtitle.

be responsible for the staffing of and implementation of a page training program;

ensure each page receives the required training before election day; and

encourage individuals at least 16 years old who apply to the Program to train as an election judge.

be at least 14 years old;

apply to the local board in the individual’s county of residence;

be available to work at least one full 4–hour shift on election day; and

complete the required training before election day.

engage in any partisan activity while working at a polling place; or

handle or touch a marked ballot at any time.

serve under the direct supervision of the chief election judges for the assigned polling place; and

assist election judges with election day duties, as directed.