Chapter 08. Election Plan
Regulation .01 Requirements for an Election Plan.LinkCopy Citation
A local board shall include in the election plan:
A.
A polling place plan that meets the requirements of COMAR 33.15.03.01;
B.
A ballot drop box plan developed in accordance with COMAR 33.11.01.04;
C.
An early voting center plan that meets the requirements of COMAR 33.17.02.02;
D.
An analysis of how to maximize voter participation in the county and each precinct; and
E.
A letter from the local board that includes:
(1)
The date of the local board meeting where the election plan was considered;
(2)
A summary of any oral testimony about the election plan that was offered at the meeting where the election plan was considered;
(3)
As an attachment, any written testimony submitted by the public regarding the election plan; and
(4)
An affirmation of compliance with the notice and comment requirements of Election Law Article, §2-303.1(e)(3)(5), Annotated Code of Maryland.
Regulation .02 Submission of an Election Plan.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The State Board shall:
(1)
Prescribe a form and submission process for a local board to use to provide a proposed election plan; and
(2)
Provide each local board with the prescribed form at least 9 months before a primary election.
B.
Requirements of Election Plan Submission Process.
(1)
The form and submission process required under §A of this regulation shall ensure that an election plan meets the requirements of COMAR 33.01.08.01.
(2)
A local board shall submit an election plan by completing the form and submission process required under §A(1) of this regulation at least 7 months before each Statewide primary election. Completion of the form and submission process shall constitute fulfillment of a local board’s duty to submit an election plan pursuant to Election Law Article, §2-303.1(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.
Regulation .03 Approval of Elections Plan.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Upon receipt of an election plan, the State Administrator shall review it and make a recommendation to the State Board whether to approve it.
B.
The State Board shall:
(1)
Vote on a local board's proposed election plan within 30 days of receipt of the submission required in COMAR 33.01.08.02(B)(2);
(2)
Approve an election plan if the election plan:
(a)
Complies with the requirements of Election Law Article, §§2-303.1 and 10.101(a)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland;
(b)
Complies with this regulation and COMAR 33.15.03.01, 33.11.01.04, and 33.17.02.02;
(c)
Has been reviewed by the State Administrator; and
(d)
Will not negatively affect access to voting for historically disenfranchised communities, as defined in Election Law Article, §1-101(aa-1), Annotated Code of Maryland; and
(3)
Within 2 days after its vote on an election plan, notify the local board of the State Board's vote.
C.
If the State Board votes on an election plan and does not approve the election plan under §B(2) of this regulation, the State Board shall:
(1)
In the notice required by §B(3) of this regulation include:
(a)
The reason that the plan was not approved;
(b)
A statement that a revised plan is due 15 days after the vote by the State Board; and
(c)
The date on which the State Board will meet to review the revised plan.
(2)
Set a date for a meeting to consider the revised plan that is no later than 5 days after the submission date of the revised plan.
D.
Upon approval by the State Board, a local board shall include in its disaster recovery plan the name, address, and contact information for each early voting center, polling place and ballot drop box.
Regulation .04 Notice of Proposed Election Plan by the Local Boards.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Contact List.
(1)
Each local board shall maintain a contact list of individuals and organizations as required by Election Law Article, §2-303.1(e)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland.
(2)
There shall be one list for the purposes of sending notices of election plans and polling place changes as required by Election Law Article, §2-303.1(e)(4), Annotated Code of Maryland.
B.
Each local board shall make available in a conspicuous location on its website:
(1)
Information about the contact list in §A of this regulation, including:
(a)
A statement that the purpose of the list is to provide notice about local board meetings where an election plan or proposed change to a location of a polling place will be considered;
(b)
A statement that by signing up for the list, the person will receive notice of any meeting where election plans or polling place changes are considered; and
(c)
How to register for the list.
(2)
At least 14 days before a meeting where an election plan or polling place change will be discussed, the proposed election plan or written description of the proposed change in polling place.
C.
At least 14 days before meeting to consider an election plan, the local board shall provide written notice of the meeting to:
(1)
Each individual and organization on the contact list required in §A of this regulation; and
(2)
The following elected officials who represent all or any portion of the county:
(a)
The Mayor;
(b)
County Executive;
(c)
County Commissioner;
(d)
County Council member;
(e)
Each Municipal Council member; and
(f)
Member of the General Assembly.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Election Law Article, §2-102(b)(4) §2-303.1, 2-304, and 10-301.1, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: November 24, 2025 (52:23 Md. R. 1140)