Maryland. State Administrative Board of Election Laws

The State Administrative Board of Election Laws was created by an act of the General Assembly in 1969 (Chapter 555, Acts of 1969). The board is composed of five members appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to four year terms. Three of the members must come from the governors' political party and two from the party that received the second greatest number of votes in the most recent gubernatorial election. A State Administrator for Election Laws is also appointed and serves for six years.

The board is responsible for supervising voter registration and elections in the state. In conjunction with these duties, it adopts rules and regulations regarding elections, voting, and voter registration; reviews, approves, certifies, and decertifies voting systems and adopts regulations relating to them; administers the Fair Election Practices Act, regulating the financing of campaigns for state and county offices; and serves as a depository for election records and relevant election information. The board also reports to the General Assembly on its activities, recommendating changes to assure uniform administration and improvement in election procedures.

The state board maintains close liaison with the 24 local boards of supervisors of elections located in the counties and Baltimore City. These boards are responsible for elections and registrations within their jurisdiction, making rules and regulations and providing notices of elections. Prior to the creation of the State Administrative Board of Election Laws, the local boards carried out these duties independently with little supervision beyond the requirements established in the Election Code (Article 33). Election regulations were published regularly by the Secretary of State, who served as a member of the Board of Canvassers and published the results of elections held. Candidates seeking nomination to public or party office filed their certificates of candidacy with the local board or the Secretary of State, depending on the office. Candidates for President of the United States, state-wide offices, Congress, and State Senatorial candidates, filed with the Secretary of State, while local candidates filed locally. The state administratve board provides a central location for state constitutional and federal candidates to file their candidacy certificates and financial reports.

While the local boards continue to be responsible for conducting voter registrations and elections, the State Administrative Board of Election Laws provides supervision and assistance in order to insure uniformity in procedures across the state. The board conducts meetings with the local boards a year before a primary or general election is held. At this meeting, the state board instructs members on their duties in the conduct of elections, including the rules and regulations associated with voting and voter registration, and informs them of any changes in procedures due to legislation.

As part of its legislative program, the state board reviews and monitors all election bills, constitutional amendments, and referendum matters relating to elections through the session. It serves an advisory function by providing testimony to legislators on how proposed bills will affect the election process.

In addition to its mandated duties, the state board administers the voter registration by mail program, prepares the election calendar, prepares and processes certificates of candidacy, processes the treasurer appointments and financial disclosure statements of the candidates, certifies and arranges for the publication of constitutional amendments and statewide referendum, accepts candidates withdrawals, certifies primary and general election candidates, prepares ballots for primary and general elections, tabulates and publishes primary and general election returns, prepares and issues certificates of nomination, certifies candidates, and prepares a declaration of the results of the election for canvassers. The state board also prepares all election related proclamations and commissions to all public and party elected officials that the governor is required to issue.

The State Administrative Board of Election Laws publishes the registration and election laws of Maryland for sale to the public, and has primary and general election returns available in booklet form.

From the description of Agency history record, 1969-. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 86132344