# Election Law (GEL)

## Title 5. Candidates

### Subtitle 5. Withdrawal of Candidacy After Filing but Before Primary Election

#### Section 5-501

An individual who has filed a certificate of candidacy may withdraw the candidacy by filing a certificate of withdrawal as provided in this subtitle.

#### Section 5-502

(a) Subject to Sec. 5-402 of this title, an individual who has filed a certificate of candidacy may withdraw the candidacy by filing a certificate of withdrawal on the form prescribed by the State Board within 10 days after the filing date established under Sec. 5-303 of this title.

(b) An individual who has filed a certificate of candidacy for the special election to fill a vacancy for Representative in Congress may withdraw the certificate on the prescribed form within 2 days after the filing date established in the proclamation issued by the Governor.

#### Section 5-503

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the certificate of withdrawal shall be filed with the appropriate board with which the individual filed the certificate of candidacy.

(b) The proclamation issued by the Governor under Sec. 8-710 of this article for a special election to fill a vacancy for Representative in Congress shall allow any individual who has filed a certificate of candidacy to withdraw the candidacy as provided under the terms of the proclamation.

#### Section 5-504

(a) If a certificate of withdrawal is filed under this subtitle:

  (1) the certificate of candidacy to which the certificate of withdrawal relates is void;

  (2) the name of the candidate may not be submitted to the voters for nomination and election to the office to which the certificate relates unless the individual files a new certificate of candidacy within the time limit prescribed for filing; and

  (3) except as provided in Sec. 5-402 of this title, the filing fee for the certificate of candidacy may not be refunded.

(b) Except for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, the name of any individual who files a certificate of candidacy and does not withdraw shall appear on the primary election ballot unless, by the 10th day after the filing deadline specified under Sec. 5-303 of this title, the individual's death or disqualification is known to the applicable board with which the certificate of candidacy was filed.

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