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<chapter num="02" heading="Initiation of Recounts" title_num="33" subtitle_num="12">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Petition.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Who May File.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>In a contest for public or party office:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>A candidate who, based on the certified results, was defeated in that election may petition for a recount, as provided in Election Law Article, §12-101, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>An opposing candidate of the petitioner may counterpetition for a recount, as provided in Election Law Article, §12-102, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>In a contest for a question on the ballot:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Any registered voter eligible to vote for that question may petition for a recount, as provided in Election Law Article, §12-103, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Any registered voter eligible to vote for that question may counterpetition for a recount, as provided in Election Law Article, §12-104, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Contents. The petition shall specify:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Whether the recount is requested for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>All the precincts in which the contest was on the ballot, or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Only certain precincts, to be designated in the petition;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The recount method authorized by this subtitle the petitioner selects to use; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>The order in which the precincts named in the recount petition should be counted.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Where and When Filed. The petition shall be filed within the time and with the State Board or local board as specified in Election Law Article, Title 12, Subtitle 1, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Bond. The petition shall be accompanied by a bond, as provided in Election Law Article, §12-105, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Signature. The petition shall be signed by the person seeking the recount, as authorized by Election Law Article, Title 12, Subtitle 1, Annotated Code of Maryland, or that person's authorized agent.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Cost Estimate.">
    <text>Before beginning the recount, the local board or local boards subject to the recount and State Board shall jointly estimate and inform the petitioner of the anticipated:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Number of hours needed to complete the recount; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Cost per hour.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Notice to Affected Parties.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Notice Required.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>By the end of the next business day following the receipt of a petition, the local board shall deliver to the persons listed in this regulation:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>A notice of recount, in the form specified by the State Board; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A copy of the petition or information on where the petition is posted on the Internet.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The notice of recount shall specify the date, time, and place of the recount.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Notice to Candidates, etc. A notice of recount shall be given to the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>For the recount of a contest for party or public office, to all candidates in the contest, including write-in candidates who have filed a certificate of candidacy under Election Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>For the recount of a ballot question, to representatives of supporters and opponents of the question, to the extent they are known to the board;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>For the recount of a contest for delegate to a national party convention, to authorized representatives of the presidential candidates to whom the candidates for delegate are pledged;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>For the recount of a contest for president and vice-president of the United States, to the candidate or the candidate's authorized representative; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>For the recount of a contest for continuing an appellate judge in office, to the judge seeking continuance in office.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Notice to State Board. For every recount, a notice of recount shall also be given to the State Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Notice to Voting System Vendor.">
    <text>Upon receipt of a petition, the local board shall provide to the voting system vendor the notice required in Regulation .03A of this chapter.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Personnel—In General.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In General. The recount shall be conducted by the local board, with the assistance of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The board's regular staff; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>If needed:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Substitute board members;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Additional temporary staff, including individuals who served as election judges in the same election; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>State Board staff.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Compensation of Substitute Members. If a substitute board member participates in the recount, that member is entitled to compensation at a rate established by the local board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Personnel—Election Director.">
    <text>Subject to the directions of the State Board of Elections and the local board, the election director shall supervise the recount.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Personnel — Special Teams.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Election Director to Appoint. The election director shall appoint one or more special teams, as may be needed for conducting the recount.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Qualifications. A person appointed to a special team must be a member, a substitute member, or a regular or temporary employee of a local board or the State Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Composition.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Each special team shall be comprised of two or more members.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>When practicable, at least two of those members shall have different party affiliations.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Personnel—Instructions; Assignments.">
    <text>Before the recount begins, the local board shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Instruct all personnel in their respective duties; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Have them complete and sign a recount assignment sheet, in the form specified by the State Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" heading="Scheduling.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Start Time. Except as provided in Regulation .10 of this chapter, the recount shall begin within 2 business days of receiving the petition.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Continuation.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The recount shall continue daily, at least 8 hours each day, until completion.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The board may suspend the recount on Sundays and State holidays.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" heading="When Canvass Not Yet Completed.">
    <text>If a petition for recount is filed before the official canvass is completed, the local board shall finish the canvass and then conduct the recount.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), and 12-106(a), Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.10 adopted as an emergency provision effective February 1, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 637); adopted permanently effective April 17, 2000 (27:7 Md. R. 709)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1655); October 2, 2023 (50:19 Md. R. 854)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended as an emergency provision effective October 31, 2008 (35:24 Md. R. 2074); emergency status expired January 20, 2009; amended permanently effective March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 424)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03A, B amended as an emergency provision effective October 31, 2008 (35:24 Md. R. 2074); emergency status expired January 20, 2009; amended permanently effective March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 424)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended as an emergency provision effective October 31, 2008 (35:24 Md. R. 2074); emergency status expired January 20, 2009; amended permanently effective March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 424)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05A amended effective July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 514)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06 amended as an emergency provision effective October 31, 2008 (35:24 Md. R. 2074); emergency status expired January 20, 2009; amended permanently effective March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 424)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07B amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 159)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .09B amended as an emergency provision effective October 31, 2008 (35:24 Md. R. 2074); emergency status expired January 20, 2009; amended permanently effective March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 424)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>