# Election Law (GEL)

## Title 10. Polling Places

### Subtitle 3. Polling Place Procedures

#### Section 10-305

(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 Sec. 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.

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Md. Code Ann., Election Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)