<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="01" heading="Definitions; General Provisions" title_num="33" subtitle_num="21">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Absent uniformed services voter” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Address of record” means the address where the vote-by-mail ballot is sent, as follows:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>If the voter has a mailing address in the statewide voter registration system, the address of record is the voter’s mailing address.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>If the voter does not have a mailing address in the statewide voter registration system, the address of record is the voter’s residential address.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Local special election” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §9-501, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>“Overseas voter” has the meaning stated in 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Regular Ballot.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Regular ballot” means a ballot that is voted and counted at a voting center.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>“Regular ballot” does not include a provisional ballot.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>“Request for vote-by-mail ballot” means the form used to request a vote-by-mail ballot be sent to an address other than the address of record or by electronic transmission.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>“Vote-by-mail ballot” means a ballot required by Election Law Article, §9-502, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>“Voter” means a registered voter who is eligible to vote in the special election.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Scope.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Applicability. This subtitle applies if a special election by mail is directed by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The Governor in the proclamation issued under Election Law Article, §8-710, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>A county council or board of county commissioners by resolution under the applicable local law.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Conduct of Election.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Except as provided in §B(2) of this regulation, a local board shall conduct a special election by mail in accordance with all applicable federal and State election laws and regulations.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Except as provided in COMAR 33.19.01.01C, a local board may not offer voter registration or address changes after the deadline established in the proclamation or resolution.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Notice.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Required Notice. The local board shall provide notice of the special election by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Publishing or disseminating the notice by mass communication no later than 2 calendar weeks before the special election;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Posting information on the local board’s website and social media outlets; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Issuing a media and press release.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Additional Notice. The State Administrator may require the local board to provide additional notice if a local board is conducting its first special election by mail.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Contents of Notice. The notice shall include information about how a voter can vote by mail and the locations, days, and hours for voting in person.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Specimen Ballot. The local board is not required to mail specimen ballots.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Election Law Article, §§2-102, 9-501, and 9-506, Annotated Code of Maryland; 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-6</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: September 28, 2015 (42:19 Md. R. 1229)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended effective July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 514)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>