In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Affidavit” means a statement executed under penalty of perjury. “Chief election official” means: as to the State Board, the State Administrator; or as to a local board, the election director. “Circulator” means an individual who attests to one or more signatures affixed to a petition. “Election authority” means: the State Board; or as to a local petition, the local board for that county. “Legal authority” means: the Attorney General; or as to a local petition, the counsel to the local board appointed under § 2-205 of this article for that county. “Local petition” means a petition: on which the signatures from only one county may be counted; and that does not seek to: refer a public local law enacted by the General Assembly; or nominate an individual for an office for which a certificate of candidacy is required to be filed with the State Board. “Page” means a piece of paper comprising a part of a petition. “Petition” means all of the associated pages necessary to fulfill the requirements of a process established by the law by which individuals affix their signatures as evidence of support for: placing the name of an individual, the names of individuals, or a question on the ballot at any election; the creation of a new political party; or the appointment of a charter board under Article XI-A, § 1A of the Maryland Constitution. “Sponsor” means the person who coordinates the collection of signatures for a petition and who, if the petition is filed, is named on the information page as required by § 6-201 of this title.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this title applies to any petition authorized by law to place the name of an individual or a question on the ballot or to create a new political party. This title does not apply to a petition filed pursuant to Division II of the Local Government Article. This title may not be interpreted to conflict with any provision relating to petitions specified in the Maryland Constitution.

The State Board shall adopt regulations, consistent with this title, to carry out the provisions of this title. The regulations shall: prescribe the form and content of petitions; specify procedures for the circulation of petitions for signatures; specify procedures for the verification and counting of signatures; and provide any other procedural or technical requirements that the State Board considers appropriate. The State Board shall: prepare guidelines and instructions relating to the petition process; and design and arrange to have sample forms available to the public conforming to this title for each purpose for which a petition is authorized by law. When preparing guidelines and instructions for compliance with the plain language requirement of § 6–201(c)(2)(ii) of this title, the State Board shall: consider any generally accepted guidelines regarding compliance with the federal Plain Writing Act of 2010; and prohibit the use of the passive voice, legal jargon, and double negatives. The guidelines, instructions, and forms shall be provided to the public, on request, without charge.