# COMAR Title 33 — State Board of Elections

## Subtitle 16 — Provisional Voting

### Chapter 02 — Provisional Voting Documents and Supplies

**Authority:** Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), 3-305(e), 3-306, 9-402, 9-403, 9-404, 9-406, and 11-303(c) and (e), Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date:

**Administrative History:** Regulations .01—.03 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 3, 2002 (29:18 Md. R. 1441); adopted permanently effective October 14, 2002 (29:20 Md. R. 1596)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1655)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1655)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 repealed effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1655)

**Administrative History:** Regulations .01 and .02 repealed under Chapter, Provisional Ballot Application and new Regulations .01—.05 adopted under Chapter, Provisional Voting Documents and Supplies effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1595)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01A amended effective June 25, 2012 (39:12 Md. R. 746)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01C amended effective August 22, 2011 (38:17 Md. R. 1014)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective February 29, 2016 (43:4 Md. R. 337)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01C amended effective November 23, 2017 (44:23 Md. R. 1079)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03A, C amended effective December 2, 2019 (46:24 Md. R. 1104)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06C amended effective December 2, 2019 (46:24 Md. R. 1104)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 514)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01A amended effective January 8, 2024 (50:26 Md. R. 1132)

#### Regulation .01 Provisional Ballot Application.

*COMAR 33.16.02.01*

A. Provisional Ballot Application. Except as required in Regulation .02 of this chapter, the provisional ballot application shall include:

  (1) The written affirmation required by Election Law Article, §9-404(b), Annotated Code of Maryland;

  (2) The voter registration application;

  (3) Instructions on:

    (a) How to complete the provisional ballot application;

    (b) How to mark and return the ballot;

    (c) The free access system required by State and federal law and COMAR 33.16.07.04; and

    (d) How the voter may access the free access system to determine whether the provisional ballot application was accepted and, if not, the reason why it was not accepted;

  (4) An envelope that can be sealed; and

  (5) A place to affix the applicant’s registration and oath document.

B. Use by Local Board. Each local board shall use the provisional ballot application prescribed by the State Board.

C. Number of Provisional Ballot Applications. Each local board shall provide provisional ballot applications in an amount established by the State Administrator in consultation with the election director.

#### Regulation .02 Extended Voting Hours Documents.

*COMAR 33.16.02.02*

A. Special Provisional Ballot Application. The special provisional ballot application for extended voting hours shall only require information sufficient to identify the voter.

B. Use by Local Board. Each local board shall use the special provisional ballot application prescribed by the State Administrator.

C. Instructions. The State Administrator shall provide a local board with instructions for election judges on the procedures for voting during extended voting hours.

D. Number of Special Provisional Ballot Applications. Each local board shall provide special provisional ballot applications in an amount at least equal to the quantities specified by the State Administrator.

#### Regulation .03 Provisional Ballots.

*COMAR 33.16.02.03*

The content of the provisional ballot shall:

A. Be identical to the content of the ballot used in the precinct where the voter seeks to vote; and

B. Contain in a clear space at the top the words “Official Ballot” printed in large letters.

#### Regulation .04 Provisional Ballot Bag.

*COMAR 33.16.02.04*

The local board shall provide each precinct with the provisional ballot bag required by the State Board.

#### Regulation .05 Other Supplies.

*COMAR 33.16.02.05*

A. A local board shall provide each precinct with a table, at least one chair and a privacy booth for voters who are issued a provisional ballot packet.

B. A local board may also provide a voting booth with a privacy screen for voters who are issued a provisional ballot packet.

C. A local board may combine the provisional voting station with the same day registration and address change station during early voting, and with the same day registration station on election day.