<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 13A.07.13.07" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="13" heading="Election.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Department shall conduct an online election.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Ballots.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Candidates shall be listed in alphabetical order on the ballot.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Each certified teacher in the State shall receive access to a ballot through notice provided by the Department’s Education Information System.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The ballot shall, at a minimum, have the name of each candidate and the candidate’s current school and teaching assignment.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Department may include additional relevant biographical information about the candidates on the ballot, including a candidate’s personal statement, resume, biography, and other information submitted as part of the nomination form.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Voting.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department shall designate one week during which votes may be cast.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In the event that more than 25 candidates are on the ballot, the Department shall schedule a second round of voting that includes the five candidates who received the most votes during the first round of voting.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Department shall extend the voting period for a run-off election in the event that the final two candidates receive the same number of votes.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Department may extend the voting period for up to an additional week at its discretion.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Each certified teacher in the State may cast one vote.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Voiding Ballots. The Department may void a teacher’s ballot if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The teacher loses certification during the election period; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The teacher attempts to manipulate election results, cast multiple votes, or otherwise interfere with the integrity of the election process.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Technical Assistance.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Department or election vendor shall provide technical assistance to teachers who experience technical problems in casting a ballot if the problems are reported during the voting period.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Technical problems that are reported after the end of the voting period may not be grounds to cast a new ballot or otherwise delay the election results.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Reporting the Results.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall win the election.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In the event of a tie, the Department shall conduct a run-off election.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Department shall notify all candidates of the preliminary results of the election, including the total number of votes received by each candidate.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Department shall report to the public the total number of votes received by each candidate and the Department’s final determination of the winner within 30 days after the end of the voting period.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Challenging the Results.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An unsuccessful candidate may challenge the election results by filing a formal protest in writing to the Department within 5 days of being informed of the preliminary results.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Department shall decide all protests within 10 days of receiving them.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>