# COMAR Title 33 — State Board of Elections

## Subtitle 15 — Precincts, Polling Places, and Facilities

### Chapter 02 — New or Changed Precincts

**Authority:** Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), and 2-303(g), Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date:

**Administrative History:** Regulations .01—.05 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2000 (27:15 Md. R. 1398); adopted permanently effective October 16, 2000 (27:20 Md. R. 1844)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 repealed and new Regulation .01 adopted effective November 27, 2023 (50:23 Md. R. 1005)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03C amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05A amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05B amended effective January 16, 2006 (33:1 Md. R. 42)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05B, D amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1347)

#### Regulation .01 Scope.

*COMAR 33.15.02.01*

This chapter applies whenever a local board:

A. Creates a new precinct; or

B. Changes precinct boundaries.

#### Regulation .02 Precinct To Lie Wholly within District.

*COMAR 33.15.02.02*

A precinct may not be created, and the boundaries of a precinct may not be changed, so as to cross any district boundary.

#### Regulation .03 Resolution Required.

*COMAR 33.15.02.03*

A. In General. A local board may create a new precinct or change precinct boundaries only by adoption of a written resolution.

B. Contents. The resolution under §A of this regulation shall:

  (1) State the purpose of the change;

  (2) Contain a written description of all precinct boundaries; and

  (3) Be accompanied by a map of the area involved.

C. Filing with State Board. Within 5 days after a resolution is adopted, the election director shall notify the State Administrator in writing of the new precinct or changed precinct boundaries.

#### Regulation .04 Election Register.

*COMAR 33.15.02.04*

The local board shall create a new election register for each affected precinct.

#### Regulation .05 Notice to Voters.

*COMAR 33.15.02.05*

A. Notice Required.

  (1) The local board shall notify all voters who are affected by the change.

  (2) If a local board combines polling places for a special election, the local board shall provide notice of the polling place changes by mailing a specimen ballot as described in Election Law Article, §8-102, Annotated Code of Maryland to each voter who is affected by the change.

B. How and When — General. Except as provided in §§C and D of this regulation, the local board shall mail this notice to the affected voters no later than 30 days after the change.

C. How and When—Emergencies.

  (1) If an emergency prevents compliance with §B of this regulation, the local board shall:

    (a) Take whatever steps it considers reasonable to notify affected voters of the change; and

    (b) Inform the State Administrator of the change and the steps being taken to notify voters.

  (2) These steps under §C(1) of this regulation may include:

    (a) Television, radio, and newspaper announcements and advertisements; and

    (b) Postings on the Internet.

D. How and When — Redistricting and Reapportionment. For changes due to redistricting or reapportionment, the local board shall mail this notice to the affected voters according to the schedule established by the State Administrator.