Chapter 01. Definitions; General Provisions
Regulation .01 Scope of Subtitle.LinkCopy Citation
The procedures in this subtitle apply to all voter registration conducted under Election Law Article, Title 3, Annotated Code of Maryland, for federal, State, and local elections.
Regulation .02 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Absent uniformed services voter” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6.
(2)
“Common access card” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §3-202.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(3)
“Confirmation notice” means the notice by which an applicant or registered voter may confirm or correct address information.
(4)
“Declination form” means the form to be used by an applicant who declines to register to vote.
(5)
“Electronic transmission” means transmission by:
(a)
Email; or
(b)
Facsimile.
(6)
“Federal post card application” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §3-202.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(7)
“Federal voter registration application (FVRA)” means an application form for voter registration that is produced by the:
(a)
U.S. Election Assistance Commission, in the case of a national form to register to vote; or
(b)
Federal Voter Assistance Program, in the case of a Federal Postcard Application.
(8)
“Motor vehicle voter registration application (MVRA)” means the voter registration application that the State Board has approved for use by the MVA.
(9)
“MVA” means the Motor Vehicle Administration.
(10)
“Online voter registration system” means the State Board’s online system that allows an individual to electronically:
(a)
Apply to become a registered voter; or
(b)
Change the individual’s name, address, or party affiliation in the individuals’ existing voter registration record.
(11)
“Overseas voter” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6.
(12)
Statewide Voter Registration Application.
(a)
“Statewide voter registration application (Statewide VRA)” means the voter registration application that the State Board has prescribed for Statewide use.
(b)
The Statewide VRA may be a paper form or an online submission using the State Board’s online voter registration system.
(13)
“Uniformed services” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6.
(14)
“Voter notification card (VNC)” means the form used to notify:
(a)
An applicant that the applicant's registration has been accepted; or
(b)
A registered voter of any change in that voter's record.
(15)
“Voter registration agency” means an agency designated in COMAR 33.05.03.02 as a voter registration agency.
(16)
“Voter registration application (VRA)” means:
(a)
The Statewide voter registration application;
(b)
The motor vehicle voter registration application; or
(c)
A federal voter registration application.
Regulation .03 General Registration Requirements of Election Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.LinkCopy Citation
The general registration requirements of Election Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, apply to all registration programs, except as supplemented or modified by this subtitle.
Regulation .04 Voter Registration Security — Background Check Required.LinkCopy Citation
A.
All employees or contractors who electronically access the Statewide voter registration list must undergo a criminal background check.
B.
The local board may accept a criminal background check performed within 6 months prior to hire if conducted by the State Board or another local board, if the provider verifies and documents its authenticity.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), 3-101, 3-202.1, and 3-204.1, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date:
History: Regulations .01—.03 adopted as an emergency provision effective February 1, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 635); adopted permanently effective April 17, 2000 (27:7 Md. R. 708)
History: Regulation .02B amended as an emergency provision effective July 3, 2002 (29:18 Md. R. 1440); amended permanently effective October 14, 2002 (29:20 Md. R. 1595)
History: Regulation .02B amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1654); May 31, 2010 (37:11 Md. R. 767); September 16, 2013 (40:18 Md. R. 1480); December 13, 2021 (48:25 Md. R. 1081)
History: Regulation .04 adopted effective September 29, 2025 (52:19 Md. R. 957)