# Election Law (GEL)

## Title 6. Petitions

### Subtitle 1. Definitions and General Provisions

#### Section 6-103

(a)

  (1) The State Board shall adopt regulations, consistent with this title, to carry out the provisions of this title.

  (2) The regulations shall:

    (i) prescribe the form and content of petitions;

    (ii) specify procedures for the circulation of petitions for signatures;

    (iii) specify procedures for the verification and counting of signatures; and

    (iv) provide any other procedural or technical requirements that the State Board considers appropriate.

(b)

  (1) The State Board shall:

    (i) prepare guidelines and instructions relating to the petition process; and

    (ii) 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.

  (2) When preparing guidelines and instructions for compliance with the plain language requirement of Sec. 6-201(c)(2)(ii) of this title, the State Board shall:

    (i) consider any generally accepted guidelines regarding compliance with the federal Plain Writing Act of 2010; and

    (ii) prohibit the use of the passive voice, legal jargon, and double negatives.

  (3) The guidelines, instructions, and forms shall be provided to the public, on request, without charge.

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