Md. Code Ann., Elec. Law § 10-303
Powers and duties of election judges
Effective Apr 5, 2018Added as Art. 33, § 10-303, by Acts 1998, c. 585, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999. Transferred to Election Law § 10-303 by Acts 2002, c. 291, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2002, c. 291, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2003; Acts 2018, c. 12, § 1, eff. April 5, 2018.State of Maryland
(a) Under the supervision of a chief judge, an election judge shall:
- (1) carry out the tasks assigned by the local board, including those set forth in any election judge instruction manual developed in accordance with § 10-206 of this title, during the period of time that begins before the election through the close of the polls and the return of materials to the local board; and
(2) take measures throughout election day to ensure that:
- (i) each voter's right to cast a ballot in privacy is maintained;
- (ii) the integrity of the voting process is preserved;
- (iii) the accuracy of the counting process is protected;
- (iv) order in the polling place is maintained; and
- (v) all election laws are observed.
(b) While serving as an election judge on an election day, an election judge shall wear a badge that:
- (1) is in plain view;
- (2) identifies the person as an election judge; and
- (3) identifies the person by name and by the ward and precinct or election district for which the person is an election judge.
(c) An election judge shall:
- (1) keep the peace; and
(2) order the arrest of any person who:
- (i) breaches the peace;
- (ii) breaches any provision of this article; or
- (iii) interferes with the work of the judges in conducting the election and carrying out their assigned tasks.
(d)
- (1) An election judge shall protect a challenger or watcher in the exercise of the rights of a challenger or watcher as provided in § 10-311 of this subtitle.
(2)
- (i) An election judge is not required to admit a challenger or watcher to a polling place before the polls open if the challenger or watcher was not present at the polling place at least one-half hour before its opening.
- (ii) An election judge may require challengers and watchers to leave a polling place before it opens if a majority of the election judges present agrees that the presence of the challengers and watchers will prevent the timely opening of the polling place.
- (3) An election judge shall designate reasonable times for challengers and watchers to examine polling lists.
Added as Art. 33, § 10-303, by Acts 1998, c. 585, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999. Transferred to Election Law § 10-303 by Acts 2002, c. 291, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2002, c. 291, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2003; Acts 2018, c. 12, § 1, eff. April 5, 2018.
Formerly Art. 33, § 10-303.