Title 11. Canvassing — Subtitle 5. Statewide Canvass and Certification
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Election Law § 11-501 (2026)
Title 11. Canvassing
Subtitle 5. Statewide Canvass and Certification
§ 11–501LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Following each special primary election to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in Congress, the State Board shall:
(1)
convene within 2 days after the certified official election results are received from the local boards;
(2)
if a majority of the members of the State Board is not present, adjourn for not more than 1 day;
(3)
within 1 day after convening, review the certified copies of the statements made by the boards of canvassers and determine which candidates, by the greatest number of votes, have been nominated to each office and which questions have received a sufficient number of votes to be adopted or approved;
(4)
if the State Board determines, based on clear and convincing evidence, that a statement by a board of canvassers is inaccurate, reject the statement and ascertain the accurate election results; and
(5)
prepare and certify statewide election results.
(b)
(1)
If the State Board determines that a statement by a board of canvassers is inaccurate and must be rejected under subsection (a)(4) of this section, the State Board shall prepare and file a distinct written statement of the reasons for the determination, including the evidence on which the determination was based, with the State Board.
(2)
If a member of the State Board dissents from a determination of an election result or reasonably believes that the conduct of a State Board member or State 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 State Board a distinct written statement of the reasons for the dissent or concern.
(3)
The State Board shall maintain a file of the written statements submitted under this subsection by members of the State Board.
Md. Code Ann., Election Law § 11-502 (2026)
Title 11. Canvassing
Subtitle 5. Statewide Canvass and Certification
§ 11–502LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Board of State Canvassers consists of the following members:
(1)
the Secretary of State;
(2)
the Comptroller;
(3)
the State Treasurer;
(4)
the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Maryland; and
(5)
the Attorney General.
(b)
Three members of the Board of State Canvassers constitute a quorum.
(c)
The State Administrator serves as secretary to the Board of State Canvassers.
(d)
The members of the Board of State Canvassers may appoint designees to serve on the Board of State Canvassers as follows:
(1)
the Secretary of State may appoint a Deputy Secretary of State;
(2)
the Comptroller may appoint the Chief Deputy Comptroller;
(3)
the State Treasurer may appoint the deputy treasurer;
(4)
the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Maryland may appoint the Chief Deputy; and
(5)
the Attorney General may appoint the Deputy Attorney General.
(e)
A member of the Board of State Canvassers shall submit a designation under subsection (d) of this section to the State Administrator at least 7 days before the Board of State Canvassers convenes.
Md. Code Ann., Election Law § 11-503 (2026)
Title 11. Canvassing
Subtitle 5. Statewide Canvass and Certification
§ 11–503LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Board of State Canvassers shall:
(1)
(i)
convene within 30 days after each election, unless the election was a special primary election that included a candidate for member of the Congress of the United States; and
(ii)
if a majority of members of the Board of State Canvassers is not present, adjourn for not more than 1 day;
(2)
within 1 day after convening, review the certified copies of the statements made by the boards of canvassers and determine which candidates, by the greatest number of votes, have been elected to each office and which questions have received a sufficient number of votes to be adopted or approved;
(3)
if the Board of State Canvassers determines, based on clear and convincing evidence, that a statement by a board of canvassers is inaccurate, reject that statement and ascertain the accurate election results;
(4)
prepare statewide election results for each candidate and question; and
(5)
prepare and transmit a certified statement of the election results to the State Board.
(b)
(1)
If the Board of State Canvassers determines that a statement by a board of canvassers is inaccurate and must be rejected under subsection (a)(3) of this section, the Board of State Canvassers shall prepare and transmit a distinct written statement of the reasons for the determination, including the evidence on which the determination was based, to the State Board.
(2)
If a member of the Board of State Canvassers dissents from a determination of an election result or reasonably believes that the conduct of a member of the Board of State Canvassers or a proceeding of the Board of State Canvassers was not in compliance with applicable law or regulation or was otherwise illegal or irregular, the member shall prepare and transmit a distinct written statement of the reasons for the dissent or concern to the State Board.
(3)
The State Board shall maintain a file of the written statements submitted under this subsection by members of the Board of State Canvassers.
(c)
The State Administrator shall transmit the certified election results to the Governor within 3 days after receipt.
(d)
The State Board may adopt regulations consistent with this article governing the certification of election results.