<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" citation="COMAR 33.05.03.01" title_num="33" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="03" heading="Responsibilities of Election Officials.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In General. The requirements and procedures in this regulation shall be followed to provide the fullest opportunity for qualified citizens to receive Statewide VRAs and FVRAs and to apply for voter registration.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Services to Be Provided.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Each local board office shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Have both Statewide VRAs and FVRAs available during normal office hours;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>On its website, provide a link to the State Board’s online voter registration system;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Accept requests for a Statewide VRA or FVRA sent by mail or electronic transmission;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Do one of the following:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Send, by the individual's preferred method of transmission, a Statewide VRA or FVRA promptly on individual request; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>If the individual did not specify how the individual would like to receive the form, promptly mail and transmit by any other available means the appropriate form to the individual; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Have these forms available at all locations where local board personnel are conducting in-person registration.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For peak periods, local boards are encouraged to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Use an automatically answered telephone service that provides 24-hour access, informs callers that individuals can register to vote online at SBE’s website, and allows an individual to leave a name and mailing address, email address, or facsimile number to which a VRA shall be sent; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Establish and staff special registration and distribution centers.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Designated Means of Electronic Communications for Certain Voters.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>As required by federal law, the State Board designates the agency's general email address, website, and facsimile number as the means of electronic communication for voters authorized to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The designated means of electronic communication shall be used to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Request a VRA or FVRA;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Send or obtain a VRA or FVRA; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Provide other voter registration-related information.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Public Notice. The State Board and local boards shall give appropriate public notice of the services provided under this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>