<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="02" heading="New or Changed Precincts" title_num="33" subtitle_num="15">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope.">
    <text>This chapter applies whenever a local board:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Creates a new precinct; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Changes precinct boundaries.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Precinct To Lie Wholly within District.">
    <text>A precinct may not be created, and the boundaries of a precinct may not be changed, so as to cross any district boundary.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Resolution Required.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In General. A local board may create a new precinct or change precinct boundaries only by adoption of a written resolution.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Contents. The resolution under §A of this regulation shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>State the purpose of the change;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Contain a written description of all precinct boundaries; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Be accompanied by a map of the area involved.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>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.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Election Register.">
    <text>The local board shall create a new election register for each affected precinct.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Notice to Voters.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Notice Required.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The local board shall notify all voters who are affected by the change.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>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.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>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.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>How and When—Emergencies.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>If an emergency prevents compliance with §B of this regulation, the local board shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Take whatever steps it considers reasonable to notify affected voters of the change; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Inform the State Administrator of the change and the steps being taken to notify voters.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>These steps under §C(1) of this regulation may include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Television, radio, and newspaper announcements and advertisements; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Postings on the Internet.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>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.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), and 2-303(g), Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="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)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 repealed and new Regulation .01 adopted effective November 27, 2023 (50:23 Md. R. 1005)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03C amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05A amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05B amended effective January 16, 2006 (33:1 Md. R. 42)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05B, D amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1347)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>