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<chapter num="01" heading="Definitions" title_num="33" subtitle_num="01">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this title, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Absentee ballot” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland. The term is synonymous with mail-in ballot.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Accredited challenger or watcher” means an individual who:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Is a Maryland registered voter;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Has been appointed by a designated entity to serve as a challenger or watcher; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Has a certificate signed by a designating entity.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Ballot” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>“Ballot drop box” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101(d-1), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>“Ballot face” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>“Ballot style” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>“Board of canvassers” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §11-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>“Candidate” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9)">
        <text>“Canvass” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §11-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(10)">
        <text>“Contest” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(11)">
        <text>“County” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(12)">
        <text>“Designating entity” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>A candidate, including a write-in candidate who has filed a Certificate of Candidacy under Election Law Article, §5-301, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A political party;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>A group of voters that:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Is supporting or opposing a candidate, principle, or proposition on the ballot; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Has formed a political committee under Election Law Article, §13-207, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>The State Board for any polling place in the State; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>A local board for any polling places within its jurisdiction.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13)">
        <text>“Disability” means a temporary or permanent physical disability.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(14)">
        <text>“Elderly” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(15)">
        <text>“Election” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(16)">
        <text>Election Director.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Election director” means the chief election official of a local board, as described in Election Law Article, §2-206, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>“Election director” includes a local election administrator empowered to perform the functions of an election director.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(17)">
        <text>“Election register” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(18)">
        <text>“Historically disenfranchised communities” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101(aa-1), Annotated Code of Maryland, and may be identified by:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Demographic and historical data brought to the attention of the State Board showing that a racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic group has been historically subject to voter suppression efforts; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A factual finding by a court of competent jurisdiction or legislative body with binding authority over the State Board that a racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic group has historically been subject to voter suppression efforts.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(19)">
        <text>“Identification card” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>A Maryland driver's license;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A Motor Vehicle Administration issued (MVA-issued) identification card;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>A student identification card;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>An employee identification card;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>A military identification card;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(f)">
          <text>A United States passport; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(g)">
          <text>Any other State or federal government-issued identification card.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(20)">
        <text>Includes or Including.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Includes” or “including” means by way of illustration.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>“Includes” or “including” does not mean by way of limitation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(21)">
        <text>Local Board.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Local board” means a county board of elections.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>“Local board” includes a county board of elections when it is constituted and acting as a board of canvassers.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(22)">
        <text>“Mail-in ballot” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland. The term is synonymous with absentee ballot.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(23)">
        <text>“Mail-in voting” refers to the process established by Election Law Article, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland. The term is synonymous with absentee voting.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(24)">
        <text>“Non-accredited challenger or watcher” means an individual who wishes to challenge the right to vote of any individual but has not been appointed by a designating entity.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(25)">
        <text>“Person” includes an individual, corporation, partnership, business trust, or limited liability company.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(26)">
        <text>Personal Identification Information.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Personal identification information” means:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>A current and valid identification card that bears the photograph of the individual; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the individual.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>For the purposes of §B(25)(a)(ii) of this regulation, “current” means within the last 3 months.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(27)">
        <text>“Political party” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(28)">
        <text>“Precinct” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(29)">
        <text>“Pre-qualified voter” means an individual who is not registered to vote but whom the State Board determines to be eligible to register and vote during early voting or election day.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(30)">
        <text>Proof of Residency.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Proof of residency” means one of the following documents:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>A current Maryland driver's license;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>A current MVA-issued State ID card;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iii)">
            <text>A current MVA-issued change of address card;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iv)">
            <text>A current utility bill;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(v)">
            <text>A current bank statement;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(vi)">
            <text>A current government check;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(vii)">
            <text>A current paycheck;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(viii)">
            <text>Another current government document; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ix)">
            <text>A current document from an independent institution of higher education, as defined by Education Article, §10-101(g), Annotated Code of Maryland, for an individual who resides on the campus of the institution.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>“Proof of residency” means a document with the individual's name and current address.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>For the purposes of §B(26)(a)(i)—(iii), “current” means that the license or card has not expired.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>For the purposes of §B(26)(a)(iv)— viii), “current” means within the last 3 months.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(31)">
        <text>“Registration and oath document” means the document printed from an electronic pollbook that includes the voter's registration information and the oaths required by Election Law Article, §§3-202(a)(1)(i) and 9-404(b)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(32)">
        <text>Regular Ballot.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Regular ballot” means a ballot that is voted and counted at a polling place.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>“Regular ballot” does not include a provisional ballot.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(33)">
        <text>“Specimen ballot” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(34)">
        <text>“State Administrator” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(35)">
        <text>“State Board” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(36)">
        <text>“Statewide voter registration list” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §3-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(37)">
        <text>“Statewide voter registration system” means the database used to maintain the Statewide voter registration list.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(38)">
        <text>“Vote tabulation” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §11-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(39)">
        <text>“Vote tallying” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §11-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(40)">
        <text>“Voting machine” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(41)">
        <text>“Write-in candidate” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(42)">
        <text>“Write-in vote” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Election Law Article, §§1-101, 2-102(b)(4), 2-303(g), 2-303.1(b)(3), 3-101, 3-305(e) and 9-301; State Government Article, §15-715(g); Annotated Code of Maryland; 52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(5)(A)—(B)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 1, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 635); adopted permanently effective July 10, 2000 (27:13 Md. R. 1212)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective January 1, 2006 (33:1 Md. R. 34); amended permanently effective April 24, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 735)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective October 31, 2008 (35:24 Md. R. 2073); emergency status expired January 20. 2009; amended permanently effective March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 424)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended effective May 31, 2010 (31:11 Md. R. 767); March 19, 2012; January 13, 2022 (49:1 Md. R. 16)(39:5 Md. R. 384); February 29, 2016 (43:4 Md. R. 333); March 23, 2020 (47:6 Md. R. 343); January 13, 2022 (49:1 Md. R. 16); April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 469); November 27, 2023 (50:23 Md. R. 1005)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 adopted effective December 12, 2002 (29:24 Md. R. 1920)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>