<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="04" heading="Order and Decorum" title_num="33" subtitle_num="07">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Media.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Presence Allowed. Representatives of print or electronic media are permitted in a polling place as long as their activities do not:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Cause disruption;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Infringe on voter privacy;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Inhibit election judges from performing their duties; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Otherwise interfere with the orderly conduct of the election.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Notice Requested.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Media organizations are requested to provide the State Administrator or the election director with a list of those polling places that they intend to cover, so that the election judges can be informed.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Failure to provide this information, however, does not in any way diminish or otherwise affect the rights granted by this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Cell Phones, Pagers, Cameras, etc.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In General. Except as specified in §B of this regulation, electronic communication devices may not be used in a polling place. Prohibited devices include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Cameras;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Cellular telephones;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Pagers; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Computer equipment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Exceptions. This regulation does not apply to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Cameras used by media representatives as long as the media representatives are recording polling place operations and not a screen or ballot;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Cellular telephones, pagers, or computer equipment used by election officials or law enforcement officers, when acting in their official capacities; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Cellular telephones or other electronic devices used by a voter:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>To provide lawful proof of residency or identification as required by this title;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>To review electoral information to assist in marking the voter’s own ballot prior to casting;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>To record a digital image of the voter’s own marked ballot prior to casting for personal use if it records only the ballot and may not be used in violation of Election Law Article, §16-206, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>To communicate through a translator or use licensed translation software services as described in Election Law Article, §15.5–103(B), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), and 15.5-104, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01 and .02 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 1, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 636); adopted permanently effective July 10, 2000 (27:13 Md. R. 1213)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 623)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended as an emergency provision effective October 22, 2004 (31:23 Md. R. 1650); amended permanently effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 290); amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 623)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended effective February 29, 2016 (43:4 Md. R. 334)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended as an emergency provision effective July 18, 2022 (49:17 Md. R. 788)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended effective December 12, 2022 (49:25 Md. R. 1052); March 31, 2025 (52:6 Md. R. 267); March 2, 2026 (53:4 Md. R. 186)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>