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<chapter num="01" heading="Definitions; General Provisions" title_num="33" subtitle_num="05">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope of Subtitle.">
    <text>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.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Absent uniformed services voter” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Common access card” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §3-202.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Confirmation notice” means the notice by which an applicant or registered voter may confirm or correct address information.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>“Declination form” means the form to be used by an applicant who declines to register to vote.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>“Electronic transmission” means transmission by:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Email; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Facsimile.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>“Federal post card application” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §3-202.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>“Federal voter registration application (FVRA)” means an application form for voter registration that is produced by the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>U.S. Election Assistance Commission, in the case of a national form to register to vote; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Federal Voter Assistance Program, in the case of a Federal Postcard Application.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>“Motor vehicle voter registration application (MVRA)” means the voter registration application that the State Board has approved for use by the MVA.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9)">
        <text>“MVA” means the Motor Vehicle Administration.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(10)">
        <text>“Online voter registration system” means the State Board’s online system that allows an individual to electronically:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Apply to become a registered voter; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Change the individual’s name, address, or party affiliation in the individuals’ existing voter registration record.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(11)">
        <text>“Overseas voter” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(12)">
        <text>Statewide Voter Registration Application.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Statewide voter registration application (Statewide VRA)” means the voter registration application that the State Board has prescribed for Statewide use.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>The Statewide VRA may be a paper form or an online submission using the State Board’s online voter registration system.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13)">
        <text>“Uniformed services” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(14)">
        <text>“Voter notification card (VNC)” means the form used to notify:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>An applicant that the applicant's registration has been accepted; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A registered voter of any change in that voter's record.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(15)">
        <text>“Voter registration agency” means an agency designated in COMAR 33.05.03.02 as a voter registration agency.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(16)">
        <text>“Voter registration application (VRA)” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>The Statewide voter registration application;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>The motor vehicle voter registration application; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>A federal voter registration application.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="General Registration Requirements of Election Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.">
    <text>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.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Voter Registration Security — Background Check Required.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>All employees or contractors who electronically access the Statewide voter registration list must undergo a criminal background check.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>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.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), 3-101, 3-202.1, and 3-204.1, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative 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)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative 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)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative 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)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 adopted effective September 29, 2025 (52:19 Md. R. 957)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>