<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 33.07.07.02" title_num="33" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="07" heading="Permissive Activities of Accredited Challengers or Watchers.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In General.  An accredited challenger or watcher may perform the activities defined in Election Law Article, §10-311(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Before Voting.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as provided in §B(2) of this regulation, before voting begins on election day, an accredited challenger or watcher may observe the election judges setting up the voting room, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Observing the election judges print voting system reports and review these reports;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Verifying the number of voters who have been checked-in and the number of votes that have been cast; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Verifying that required security seals have been applied on the voting system.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An election judge shall not permit an accredited challenger or watcher entry to the polling place during the 30 minutes immediately before the opening of the polls.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>During Voting Hours.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Chief Judges shall determine the location of accredited challengers or watchers in the voting room.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>When determining the location of the accredited challengers and watchers in the voting room, the Chief Judges shall ensure:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The accredited challenger or watcher may see and hear each person as the person offers to vote; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The efficient management of the voting room.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The Chief Judges are not required to locate the accredited challengers and watchers directly behind the check-in table or in a position where they can directly view the electronic pollbook.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>During voting hours, an accredited challenger or watcher shall, accompanied by a Chief Judge and at a convenient time for the election judges:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Verify the security seals on voting units to which voters have not been assigned; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Verify the number of voters who have been checked in to vote.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>After Voting.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>To observe the post-voting hours procedures, an accredited challenger or watcher shall be in the polling place before voting hours end.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>During this time, an accredited challenger or watcher may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Observe the election judges print voting system reports and review these reports;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Verify that required security seals have been applied on the voting system; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Observe the transmission by modem of election results if the local board has instructed the Chief Judges to perform this task.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>