The conduct of voter registration and elections in Maryland is supervised by the Board, which directs, supports, monitors, and evaluates the activities of the boards of elections in each county and Baltimore City.
To maximize the use of technology in election administration, the Board is charged with upgrading and standardizing voting systems and election procedures statewide (Chapter 564, Acts of 2001). The Board, in consultation with local boards of elections, selected and certified the uniform statewide voting system, using a direct recording electronic (DRE) system at polling places, and an optical scan system for absentee ballots.
To regulate the financing of campaigns for State and county offices, the Board administers the Fair Election Practices Act (Code Election Law Article, secs. 13-101 through 13-604). In addition, the Board prepares and certifies ballots, administers petitions, and publishes statewide ballot questions before elections.
In odd-numbered years, the Board meets with the boards of elections from the counties and Baltimore City to instruct them, their employees, and counsel on their duties in the conduct of elections. The Board also administers the voter registration-by-mail program.
Registration and Election Laws of Maryland, which is for sale to the public, is published by the Board. Also available are primary and general election returns beginning with 1948. More recent returns are published as booklets and are available on-line from the Board.
The Board consists of five members appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Each member must belong to a principal political party with neither party having more than three or less than two members. Each member appointed by the Governor has been named by the state central committee of the principal political party entitled to the appointment (Chapter 4, Acts of 2005; Code Election Law Article, sec. 2-101).
Appointed by the State Board of Elections with Senate advice and consent, the State Administrator also serves as secretary to the Board of State Canvassers (Code Election Law Article, secs. 2-103, 11-501 through 11-503).
CANDIDACY & CAMPAIGN FINANCE DIVISION
ELECTION REFORM DIVISION
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
VOTER REGISTRATION & PETITIONS DIVISION
The Division supervises and coordinates the voter registration activities of local boards of elections, and the reporting of voter registration information from other state agencies. As required by the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, the Division is developing an automated, centralized, interactive statewide voter registration database. The system is to be fully implemented by 2006. The Division also conducts voter registration volunteer training, and periodically compiles and makes available voter registration statistics.
The submission of voter petitions for referenda, establishing new political parties, and nominating independent or third party candidates to the ballot, are overseen by the Division.
VOTING SYSTEMS & STATE PROCUREMENT DIVISION
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The Candidacy and Campaign Finance Division oversees the manner in which candidates and their organizations collect, spend, and report funds as regulated by Maryland's campaign finance laws. Since 1999, all campaign finance reports must be submitted in electronic format (Chapter 473, Acts of 1999). The Division provides the necessary computer software and technical assistance to persons required to file reports.
The Election Reform Division was created in 2004. It oversees the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-252) which requires states to improve the election process for voters.
The Information Technology Division began as the Computer Technology Division and received its present name in 1999.
Formerly the Voter Registration Division, the Voter Registration and Petitions Division organized in 2004.
The Voting Systems and State Procurement Division began as Election Systems. In 1998, it was renamed Voting Systems, and received its present name in 1999. The Division oversees the operation of the statewide uniform computer voting system.
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