An individual may become a candidate for a public or party office only if the individual satisfies the qualifications for that office established by law and, in the case of a party office, by party constitution or bylaws.

A candidate for public or party office must be a registered voter at an address that satisfies any residence requirement for the office that is imposed by law and, in the case of a party office, by party rules.

This subsection does not apply to a candidate for: President or Vice President of the United States; or any federal office who seeks nomination by petition. Unless the individual is a registered voter affiliated with the political party, an individual may not be a candidate for: an office of that political party; or except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, nomination by that political party. The requirements for party affiliation specified under subsection (a) of this section do not apply to a candidate for: a judicial office; or a county board of education.

An individual simultaneously may not be a candidate for more than one public office. An individual simultaneously may not be a candidate for more than one office of a political party. Unless otherwise prohibited by rule of the applicable political party, an individual simultaneously may be a candidate for a party office and a public office.

In accordance with Article II of the Maryland Constitution, when a candidate for nomination for Governor files a certificate of candidacy for that office, the candidate shall designate a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. The candidates for nomination for Governor and Lieutenant Governor each shall file for nomination and be considered a unit for nomination to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The names of the candidates of a unit for Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be listed jointly on the ballot. A vote cast for a candidate for Governor also shall be a vote cast for the candidate for Lieutenant Governor.