Section 4-103 - Loss of status as a political party. - Maryland Statutes

§ 4-103. Loss of status as a political party.
 

(a)  Retention of status.-  

(1) Unless extended pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a new political party shall retain its status as a political party until December 31 in the year of the second statewide general election following the party's qualification under § 4-102 of this subtitle. 

(2) The political party shall retain its status as a political party through either of the following: 

(i) if the political party has nominated a candidate for the highest office on the ballot in a statewide general election, and the candidate receives at least 1% of the total vote for that office, the political party shall retain its status through December 31 in the year of the next following general election; or 

(ii) if the State voter registration totals, as of December 31, show that at least 1% of the State's registered voters are affiliated with the political party, the political party shall retain its status until the next following December 31. 

(b)  Notification by State Board.- The State Board shall promptly notify the State chairman of a group that loses its status as a political party. 

(c)  Effect of loss of status.- A group that loses its status as a political party may regain that status only by complying with all the requirements for qualifying as a new party under § 4-102 of this subtitle. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 33, § 4-103; 2002, ch. 291, §§ 2, 4; 2006, ch. 44.]