2013 Maryland Code
ELECTION LAW
§ 10-301 - Hours for voting

§10-301.

(a) On an election day, a polling place shall be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

(b) A voter who has appeared at a polling place by the closing hour to cast a ballot shall be allowed to vote.

§ 10-301 - 1. Early voting and early voting centers [Effective until July 1, 2013]

(a) In general. -- Except as provided under Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article, during any regularly scheduled primary or general election a voter may vote:

(1) in the voter's assigned precinct on election day; or

(2) at an early voting center in the voter's county of residence on any early voting day in accordance with this section.

(b) Establishment. --

(1) Each county shall have at least one early voting center established in the county as prescribed in this subsection.

(2) A county with fewer than 150,000 registered voters shall have one early voting center established in the county.

(3) A county with more than 150,000 but fewer than 300,000 registered voters shall have three early voting centers established in the county.

(4) A county with more than 300,000 registered voters shall have five early voting centers established in the county.

(c) Designation. -- No later than 6 months before a primary election, the State Board, in collaboration with the local board in each county, shall designate each early voting center in that county.

(d) Days and hours of operation. -- Each early voting center shall be open for voting as follows:

(1) for the 2010 gubernatorial primary and general elections:

(i) beginning the second Friday before a primary or general election through the Thursday before the elections, but excluding Sunday; and

(ii) during the hours between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.; and

(2) for the 2012 presidential primary and general elections:

(i) beginning the second Saturday before a primary or general election through the Thursday before the elections; and

(ii) 1. during the hours between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the Saturday and the Monday through the Thursday during the early voting period; and

2. during the hours between 12 noon and 6 p.m. on the Sunday during the early voting period.

(e) Requirements. -- Each early voting center shall satisfy the requirements of § 10-101 of this title.

(f) Information to public. -- Beginning 30 days prior to each early voting period the State Board and each local board shall undertake steps to inform the public about early voting and the location of early voting centers in each county, including:

(1) a series of public service media announcements;

(2) mailings to all registered voters in each county; and

(3) other measures as appropriate.

(g) Applicability of provisions of this article. -- Except as expressly provided in this section, any provision of this article that applies to voting on election day also applies to early voting.

(h) Regulations and guidelines. -- The State Board shall adopt regulations and guidelines in accordance with the requirements of this section for the conduct of early voting.

§ 10-301 - 1. Early voting and early voting centers [Effective July 1, 2013].

(a) In general. -- Except as provided under Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article, during any regularly scheduled primary or general election a voter may vote:

(1) in the voter's assigned precinct on election day; or

(2) at an early voting center in the voter's county of residence on any early voting day in accordance with this section.

(b) Establishment. --

(1) Each county shall have at least one early voting center established in the county as prescribed in this subsection.

(2) A county with fewer than 125,000 registered voters shall have one early voting center established in the county.

(3) A county with more than 125,000 registered voters but fewer than 300,000 registered voters shall have three early voting centers established in the county.

(4) A county with more than 300,000 registered voters but fewer than 450,000 registered voters shall have five early voting centers established in the county.

(5) A county with more than 450,000 registered voters shall have eight early voting centers.

(6) In addition to the early voting centers required in this subsection, each county may establish one additional early voting center if the State Board, in collaboration with the local board, and the governing body of the county agree to establish an additional early voting center.

(c) Designation. -- No later than 6 months before a primary election, the State Board, in collaboration with the local board in each county, shall designate each early voting center in that county.

(d) Days and hours of operation. -- Each early voting center shall be open for voting as follows:

(1) beginning the second Saturday before a primary or general election through the Thursday before the elections; and

(2) during the following hours:

(i) in a presidential general election, during the hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. each early voting day; and

(ii) in all other elections, during the hours between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. each early voting day.

(e) Requirements. -- Each early voting center shall satisfy the requirements of § 10-101 of this title.

(f) Information to public. -- Beginning 30 days prior to each early voting period the State Board and each local board shall undertake steps to inform the public about early voting and the location of early voting centers in each county, including:

(1) a series of public service media announcements;

(2) mailings to all registered voters in each county; and

(3) other measures as appropriate.

(g) Applicability of provisions of this article. -- Except as expressly provided in this section, any provision of this article that applies to voting on election day also applies to early voting.

(h) Regulations and guidelines. -- The State Board shall adopt regulations and guidelines in accordance with the requirements of this section for the conduct of early voting.