<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 33.05.04.06" title_num="33" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="04" heading="Deadlines for and Periods of Registration or Changes.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In General. Except as otherwise provided by the State Board, the effective date of registration or of a requested change that is timely received is the date the VRA or other appropriate form or notice was received by the State Board office or a local board office.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>When Timely.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In applying the provisions of law that prohibit registration or changes of name, address, or party affiliation during certain periods, the VRA or other appropriate form or notice is considered to have been timely received, and processing shall be completed during the otherwise closed period, if the application, notice, or form:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Is complete, as required by law or this title; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Was received by or mailed to the local board office on or before the appropriate deadline, in the same manner and under the same conditions as provided in Regulation .01C and D of this chapter for VRAs.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For purposes of applying Regulation .01C and D of this chapter to a change of party affiliation, “registration deadline” includes the deadline prescribed by law after which changes of party affiliation no longer may be made for a particular election.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Processing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a verification inquiry is not needed and if the VRA or other appropriate form or notice was timely received, the election director shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Promptly complete the processing; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Notify the applicant before the next election.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a verification inquiry reveals that the information given was complete and accurate and if the VRA or other appropriate form or notice was timely received, the registration or change shall be promptly completed, effective as of the date the VRA, form, or notice was received.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Except as specified in §C(5) of this regulation, if a verification inquiry reveals that the information given was either incomplete or inaccurate, processing may not be completed and the applicant need not be notified of any action until after the expiration of the period during which registration or changes are prohibited.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Except as specified in §C(5) of this regulation, in the case set forth in §C(3) of this regulation, and in cases when a verification inquiry is not completed until after the expiration of the period during which registration or changes are prohibited, the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Registration or change requested shall be processed beginning with the first day after the expiration of that period; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Effective date of the registration or the change is the first day after the expiration of that period rather than the date of receipt of the VRA, form, or notice.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Verification Inquiry.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A verification inquiry of a personal identification number or personal identification information may be completed during the period during which registration or changes are prohibited.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The registration shall be processed upon completion of a verification inquiry.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The effective date of registration is the date the VRA was received.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Presentation of personal identification information to an election official or election judge shall complete the verification inquiry.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Deadline for Change of Party Affiliation if Voter Moves to Another County. After the party change deadline set by Election Law Article, §3-303(a), Annotated Code of Maryland, a registered voter who has moved from one Maryland county to another since the last general election may change party affiliation, or change to or from the “unaffiliated” status, by submitting a signed request to the local board where the voter currently resides at any time that registration is open. A voter may take advantage of this provision only once following a move.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>