# COMAR Title 33 — State Board of Elections

## Subtitle 08 — Canvassing

### Chapter 03 — Canvass Control and Safeguards

**Authority:** Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), and 11-201, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date:

**Administrative History:** Regulations .01—.06 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)

**Administrative History:** Chapter recodified from COMAR 33.08.02 to COMAR 33.08.03 as an emergency provision effective October 4, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1483); recodified permanently effective January 6, 2005 (31:26 Md. R. 1868)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 624)

#### Regulation .01 Board to Set Procedures.

*COMAR 33.08.03.01*

The local board shall develop and, with the approval of the State Board, establish and enforce procedures and methods to:

A. Maintain order throughout the canvass; and

B. Safeguard all records and documents.

#### Regulation .02 Public Inspection of Ballots and Other Documents.

*COMAR 33.08.03.02*

Observers and challengers are allowed to visually inspect ballots, provisional ballot applications, and absentee ballot envelopes, and the like, at a reasonable distance, but may not touch them.

#### Regulation .03 Food and Beverages.

*COMAR 33.08.03.03*

Food and beverages are prohibited in the counting center.

#### Regulation .04 Distractions.

*COMAR 33.08.03.04*

Conversations and other activities that interfere with or distract the board's staff are prohibited.

#### Regulation .05 Instructions to Staff and Public.

*COMAR 33.08.03.05*

A. In General. At the start of the canvass, the board shall generally instruct the staff, the public, and the media on the:

  (1) Process to be completed; and

  (2) Procedures to be followed.

B. Specifics. The instructions shall include:

  (1) The need to maintain order during the canvass;

  (2) The distance that must be maintained while inspecting ballots;

  (3) The prohibition against food and beverages;

  (4) The prohibition against noise and distractions;

  (5) The board's authority to maintain order throughout the canvass;

  (6) Information on breaks;

  (7) The locations of telephones and restrooms; and

  (8) Other relevant matters.

C. Posted Notice.

  (1) The board shall post written notices in and around the counting center that instruct the public and the media of the conduct required in the counting center.

  (2) The notice shall include each of the items specified in §B(1)—(5) of this regulation.

#### Regulation .06 Security Guards.

*COMAR 33.08.03.06*

The board may arrange for one or more security guards to:

A. Be present from the start until the end of the canvass; and

B. Assist the board in maintaining order during the canvass.