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<chapter num="08" heading="Election Plan" title_num="33" subtitle_num="01">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Requirements for an Election Plan.">
    <text>A local board shall include in the election plan:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A polling place plan that meets the requirements of COMAR 33.15.03.01;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A ballot drop box plan developed in accordance with COMAR 33.11.01.04;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>An early voting center plan that meets the requirements of COMAR 33.17.02.02;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>An analysis of how to maximize voter participation in the county and each precinct; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>A letter from the local board that includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The date of the local board meeting where the election plan was considered;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>A summary of any oral testimony about the election plan that was offered at the meeting where the election plan was considered;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>As an attachment, any written testimony submitted by the public regarding the election plan; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>An affirmation of compliance with the notice and comment requirements of Election Law Article, §2-303.1(e)(3)(5), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Submission of an Election Plan.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The State Board shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Prescribe a form and submission process for a local board to use to provide a proposed election plan; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Provide each local board with the prescribed form at least 9 months before a primary election.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Requirements of Election Plan Submission Process.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Approval of Elections Plan.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Upon receipt of an election plan, the State Administrator shall review it and make a recommendation to the State Board whether to approve it.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The State Board shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>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);</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Approve an election plan if the election plan:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Complies with the requirements of Election Law Article, §§2-303.1 and 10.101(a)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Complies with this regulation and COMAR 33.15.03.01, 33.11.01.04, and 33.17.02.02;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Has been reviewed by the State Administrator; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>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</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Within 2 days after its vote on an election plan, notify the local board of the State Board's vote.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>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:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>In the notice required by §B(3) of this regulation include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>The reason that the plan was not approved;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A statement that a revised plan is due 15 days after the vote by the State Board; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>The date on which the State Board will meet to review the revised plan.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>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.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Notice of Proposed Election Plan by the Local Boards.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Contact List.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Each local board shall make available in a conspicuous location on its website:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Information about the contact list in §A of this regulation, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>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;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>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</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>How to register for the list.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>At least 14 days before meeting to consider an election plan, the local board shall provide written notice of the meeting to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Each individual and organization on the contact list required in §A of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The following elected officials who represent all or any portion of the county:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>The Mayor;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>County Executive;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>County Commissioner;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>County Council member;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Each Municipal Council member; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(f)">
          <text>Member of the General Assembly.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Election Law Article, §2-102(b)(4) §2-303.1, 2-304, and 10-301.1, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: November 24, 2025 (52:23 Md. R. 1140)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>