<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 33.17.08.08" title_num="33" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="08" heading="Appeal to the State Board of Elections.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Place for Filing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a local board denies an appeal by a public official under Regulation .07 of this chapter, the public official may appeal the decision to the State Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A complaint shall be filed with the State Board to the attention of the State Administrator.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Contents of Filing: The appeal shall provide the following information:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Reason use of the public building is a hardship;</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Who the hardship affects;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Any violations of law that would arise by using the public building as an early voting center; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Any other information pertinent to the designation of the public building as an early voting center or the hardship.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>How the local board abused its discretion in selecting the public building for use as an early voting center.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Request an absentee ballot for a special election; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Return an absentee ballot by mail in a timely manner.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Prescribed or Other Form. The public official may use:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The form prescribed by the State Board, which is available from the State or from any local board, or which may be downloaded from the State Board website; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Any other form satisfying the requirements of §A of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The appeal must be in writing, signed and sworn by the public official responsible for the public building, and notarized.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Time for Filing. A complaint shall be filed within 5 days after the local board gives notice that appeal has been denied.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Copy for Local Board. The public official shall mail or deliver a copy of the complaint to the local board, to the attention of the election director.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>