2013 Maryland Code
ELECTION LAW
§ 9-306 - Review of application; issuance or rejection [Effective until July 1, 2013]

§9-306.

(a) Promptly after receipt of an application, the election director shall review the application and determine whether the applicant qualifies to vote by absentee ballot.

(b) If the applicant qualifies to vote by absentee ballot, the local board shall send the ballot:

(1) as soon as practicable after receipt of the request; or

(2) if the ballots have not been received from the printer, as soon as practicable after the local board receives delivery of the ballots.

(c) (1) If the members of the local board determine that the applicant is not entitled to vote by absentee ballot, the local board shall notify the applicant as soon as practicable after receipt of the application of the reasons for the rejection.

(2) (i) The local board may delegate the determination under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the staff of the local board.

(ii) If the determination has been delegated, the applicant may appeal the rejection to the members of the local board, who shall decide the appeal as expeditiously as practicable.

(d) Not more than one absentee ballot may be issued to a voter unless the election director of the local board has reasonable grounds to believe that an absentee ballot previously issued to the voter has been lost, destroyed, or spoiled.

§ 9-306 - Review of application; issuance or rejection [Effective July 1, 2013].

(a) Review of application. -- Promptly after receipt of an application, the election director shall review the application and determine whether the applicant qualifies to vote by absentee ballot.

(b) Permitted methods for providing ballot. -- If the applicant qualifies to vote by absentee ballot, the local board shall provide the ballot by one of the following methods requested by the voter:

(1) mail;

(2) facsimile transmission;

(3) the Internet; or

(4) by hand during an in-person transaction.

(c) When ballot to be provided. -- Once ballots are available, the local board shall provide the ballot to a qualified applicant:

(1) as soon as practicable after receipt of the request; or

(2) immediately for an in-person transaction with a voter or the voter's duly authorized agent.

(d) Rejection of application. --

(1) If the members of the local board determine that the applicant is not entitled to vote by absentee ballot, the local board shall notify the applicant as soon as practicable after receipt of the application of the reasons for the rejection.

(2) (i) The local board may delegate the determination under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the staff of the local board.

(ii) If the determination has been delegated, the applicant may appeal the rejection to the members of the local board, who shall decide the appeal as expeditiously as practicable.

(e) Number of ballots issued to a voter. -- Not more than one absentee ballot may be issued to a voter unless the election director of the local board has reasonable grounds to believe that an absentee ballot previously issued to the voter has been lost, destroyed, or spoiled.