# Election Law (GEL)

## Title 6. Petitions

### Subtitle 2. Content and Process of Petitions

#### Section 6-201

(a) A petition shall contain:

  (1) an information page; and

  (2) signature pages containing not less than the total number of signatures required by law to be filed.

(b) The information page shall contain:

  (1) a description of the subject and purpose of the petition, conforming to the requirements of regulations;

  (2) identification of the sponsor and, if the sponsor is an organization, of the individual designated to receive notices under this subtitle;

  (3) the required information relating to the signatures contained in the petition;

  (4) the required affidavit made and executed by the sponsor or, if the sponsor is an organization, by an individual responsible to and designated by the organization; and

  (5) any other information required by regulation.

(c) Each signature page shall contain:

  (1) a description of the subject and purpose of the petition, conforming to the requirements of regulations;

  (2) if the petition seeks to place a question on the ballot:

    (i) a brief title that describes the topic, goal, or outcome of the ballot question;

    (ii)

      (1) a fair and accurate summary of the substantive provisions of the proposal written in plain, clear language that:

      (A) a voter can easily understand;

      (B) does not explain the legal mechanism providing for the policy change; and

      (C) does not contain legal jargon or use double negatives or the passive voice; or

      (2) the full text of the proposal; and

    (iii) a brief statement explaining what the practical outcome of each voting choice would be;

  (3) a statement, to which each signer subscribes, that:

    (i) the signer supports the purpose of that petition process; and

    (ii) based on the signer's information and belief, the signer is a registered voter in the county specified on the page and is eligible to have his or her signature counted;

  (4) spaces for signatures and the required information relating to the signers;

  (5) a space for the name of the county in which each of the signers of that page is a registered voter;

  (6) a space for the required affidavit made and executed by the circulator; and

  (7) any other information required by regulation.

(d) If the petition seeks to place a question on the ballot and the sponsor elects to print a summary of the proposal on each signature page as provided in subsection (c)(2)(ii)1 of this section:

  (1) the circulator shall have the full text of the proposal present at the time and place that each signature is affixed to the page; and

  (2) the signature page shall state that the full text is available from the circulator.

(e) A signature page shall satisfy the requirements of subsections (c) and (d)(2) of this section before any signature is affixed to it and at all relevant times thereafter.

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