<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 33.11.02.02" title_num="33" subtitle_num="11" chapter_num="02" heading="Formal Request.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In General. A formal request for an absentee ballot may be made to a local board only:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>On the paper or the online version of the absentee ballot application prescribed by the State Board; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>On a form provided under federal law.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Dissemination of Forms.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Local boards and others may reproduce and distribute the form prescribed by the State Board, but only if they do so without altering that form.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Website Posting.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The State Board shall post on its website the paper version of the absentee ballot application and provide a link to the online absentee ballot application.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A local board, on its website, shall post the paper version of the absentee ballot application and link to the online version of the absentee ballot application on the State Board's website.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The absentee ballot application shall be posted in a way that precludes altering its content.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Absentee Ballot Application Transmission.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If a voter requests an absentee ballot application, the local board shall send, by the voter's preferred method of transmission, the appropriate form to the voter.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If the voter does not specify how the voter wishes to receive the absentee ballot application, the local board shall mail and transmit by any other available means the appropriate form to the voter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Online Absentee Ballot Application—Voter Authentication.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The online absentee ballot application shall authenticate each voter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Except as provided in §C(3) of this regulation, each voter shall enter:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The voter’s driver’s license or MVA identification card number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The date the voter’s driver’s license or identification card was issued; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a voter is an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter who does not have a Maryland driver’s license or MVA identification card number, the voter shall enter the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The online absentee ballot application shall immediately verify the information required in §C(2) of this regulation with information on file with MVA.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If the MVA verifies the information, the voter may submit the online absentee ballot application.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If the MVA cannot verify the information, the voter shall submit the paper version of the absentee ballot application.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Electronic Transmissions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A local board may issue and receive applications by electronic transmission.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If an application is received by email, the application must be signed by the voter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Deadline for Receipt of Application. An application under this regulation must be received by the local board by the deadline in Regulation .01D of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Incomplete Information. If an application is timely, but any of the required information is missing, the election director shall attempt to contact the voter to correct the omission.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>