There shall be a statewide primary election in every even–numbered year. A primary election shall be held: in the year in which the Governor is elected, on the fourth Tuesday in June; and in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the fourth Tuesday in April. In Baltimore City, there shall be a primary election for municipal offices on the fourth Tuesday in April in the year in which the President of the United States is elected.

A principal political party, as determined by the statement of registration issued by the State Board: shall use the primary election to: nominate its candidates for public office; and elect all members of the local central committees of the political party; and may use the primary election in the year of a presidential election to elect delegates to a national presidential nominating convention. Except for a nominee for President or Vice President, the name of a nominee of a principal political party may not appear on the ballot in a general election if the individual has not: been nominated in the primary election; or been designated to fill a vacancy in nomination in accordance with Title 5 of this article. If a political party chooses to permit voters not affiliated with the party to vote in the party’s primary election, the chairman of the party’s State central committee shall so notify the State Board at least 6 months before the date of the primary election.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with Title 9, Subtitle 2 of this article, the State Board shall certify to the local board of a county the names of candidates on the primary election ballots in that county. This section does not apply to a special primary election for the office of Representative in Congress.

If a candidate qualifies for the primary election ballot in accordance with § 5-601 of this article, and is unopposed for the nomination, the word “unopposed” shall be placed next to the candidate’s name.

A voter may not cast a write-in vote in a primary election.