§ 16–904
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Election Law § 16-904 (2026)
Title 16. Offenses and Penalties
Subtitle 9. Other Offenses
§ 16–904LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
(i)
“Election official” means:
(1)
the State Administrator;
(2)
a member of the State Board;
(3)
an employee of the State Board;
(4)
counsel to the State Board;
(5)
a county election director appointed under § 2–202 of this article;
(6)
a member of a local board;
(7)
an employee of a local board;
(8)
counsel to a local board; or
(9)
an election judge.
(ii)
“Election official” includes:
(1)
an individual who takes the oath prescribed in Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution to assist in administering an election; and
(2)
a page as defined in § 10–401 of this article.
(3)
“Electronic communication” has the meaning stated in § 3–805 of the Criminal Law Article.
(4)
“Harm” includes:
(i)
serious injury; and
(ii)
serious emotional distress.
(5)
“Immediate family member” includes:
(i)
a parent;
(ii)
a spouse; and
(iii)
a child.
(6)
“Threat” includes:
(i)
an oral threat;
(ii)
a threat made by electronic communication; and
(iii)
a threat in any written form, whether or not the writing is signed, or if the writing is signed, whether or not it is signed with a fictitious name or any other mark.
(b)
A person may not knowingly and willfully make a threat to harm an election official or an immediate family member of an election official because of the election official’s role in administering the election process.
(c)
A person may not knowingly send, deliver, part with, or make for the purpose of sending or delivering a threat prohibited under subsection (b) of this section.
(d)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $2,500 or both.