Section 9-207 - Ballots - Certification; display; printing. - Maryland Statutes

§ 9-207. Ballots - Certification; display; printing.
 

(a)  Time of certification.- The State Board shall certify the content and arrangement of each ballot: 

(1) for a primary election: 

(i) in the year that the President of the United States is elected, at least 42 days before the election; and 

(ii) in any other year, at least 50 days before the election; 

(2) for a general election: 

(i) in the year that the President of the United States is elected, at least 55 days before the election; and 

(ii) in any other year, not more than 18 days after the primary election; 

(3) for a special primary election, at least 18 days before the election; and 

(4) for a special general election, not later than a date specified in the Governor's proclamation. 

(b)  Exception - Later date set by Court of Appeals.- The Court of Appeals, on petition of the State Board, may establish a later date in extraordinary circumstances. 

(c)  Delivery to local boards.- Within 48 hours after certification, the State Board shall deliver to each local board a copy of the certified ballot content and arrangement for that county. 

(d)  Preparation of ballot; public display.-  

(1) Within 5 days after the certification, or a later date that the Court of Appeals establishes in extraordinary circumstances on petition of the State Board, a local board shall: 

(i) prepare the arrangement for all ballots to be used in the county, using the arrangement prescribed by the State Board; and 

(ii) display the content and arrangement, in a manner that is accessible to the public, on all days that the office is open through the day of the election. 

(2) Except pursuant to a court order under § 9-209 of this subtitle, or as provided in § 9-208 of this subtitle, the content and arrangement of the ballot may not be modified after the third day of the public display. 

(e)  Printing of ballots.- Unless a delay is required by court order, a local board may begin to print the ballots after 3 days of public display and, with the approval of the State Board, correction of any noted errors. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 33, § 9-207; 2002, ch. 291, §§ 2, 4; 2003, ch. 222.]