<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 33.17.08.06" title_num="33" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="08" heading="Opportunity to Be Heard by Local Board of Elections.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>General Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a local board issues a written notice of intent to the public building indicating that the public building will be used as an early voting center, the local board  shall offer the public official the opportunity to appear before the local board   to show cause why the public building should not be used for early voting.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The opportunity to be heard shall be afforded the public official no more than 15 days after the request is made under Regulation .04 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Notice Requirements. The notice requirements for the opportunity to be heard are as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The local board shall provide at least 72 hours notice of the board meeting where the public official will be given the opportunity to be heard.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The public official shall confirm attendance at the board meeting 24 hours in advance of the meeting.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Format of the Meeting.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The members of the local board may be recognized by the presiding member to ask questions of either party appearing before the local board.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The public official may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Present witnesses;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Submit evidence; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Respond to questions from members and the presiding member of the local board.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The local board shall determine the amount of time the public official has to be heard, and present evidence and witnesses.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The opportunity to be heard shall be offered in person or virtually.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>