1. A. In General. The requirements and procedures in this regulation shall be followed to provide the fullest opportunity for qualified citizens to receive Statewide VRAs and FVRAs and to apply for voter registration.

2. B. Services to Be Provided.

   1. (1) Each local board office shall:

      1. (a) Have both Statewide VRAs and FVRAs available during normal office hours;
      2. (b) On its website, provide a link to the State Board’s online voter registration system;
      3. (c) Accept requests for a Statewide VRA or FVRA sent by mail or electronic transmission;

      4. (d) Do one of the following:

         1. (i) Send, by the individual's preferred method of transmission, a Statewide VRA or FVRA promptly on individual request; or
         2. (ii) If the individual did not specify how the individual would like to receive the form, promptly mail and transmit by any other available means the appropriate form to the individual; and
      5. (e) Have these forms available at all locations where local board personnel are conducting in-person registration.

   2. (2) For peak periods, local boards are encouraged to:

      1. (a) Use an automatically answered telephone service that provides 24-hour access, informs callers that individuals can register to vote online at SBE’s website, and allows an individual to leave a name and mailing address, email address, or facsimile number to which a VRA shall be sent; and
      2. (b) Establish and staff special registration and distribution centers.

   3. (3) Designated Means of Electronic Communications for Certain Voters.

      1. (a) As required by federal law, the State Board designates the agency's general email address, website, and facsimile number as the means of electronic communication for voters authorized to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

      2. (b) The designated means of electronic communication shall be used to:

         1. (i) Request a VRA or FVRA;
         2. (ii) Send or obtain a VRA or FVRA; and
         3. (iii) Provide other voter registration-related information.
3. C. Public Notice. The State Board and local boards shall give appropriate public notice of the services provided under this regulation.

Authority: Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), 3-101, 3-203, 3-204, and 3-204.1, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.07 adopted as an emergency provision effective February 1, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 635); adopted permanently effective April 17, 2000 (27:7 Md. R. 708)

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective July 3, 2002 (29:18 Md. R. 1440); amended permanently effective October 14, 2002 (29:20 Md. R. 1595)

Regulation .01B amended effective May 31, 2010 (37:11 Md. R. 767); September 16, 2013 (40:18 Md. R. 1480)

Regulation .02 amended as an emergency provision effective July 3, 2002 (29:18 Md. R. 1440); amended permanently effective October 14, 2002 (29:20 Md. R. 1595)

Regulation .02A, B amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1654)

Regulation .02C amended effective May 31, 2010 (37:11 Md. R. 767)

Regulation .03 amended as an emergency provision effective July 3, 2002 (29:18 Md. R. 1440); amended permanently effective October 14, 2002 (29:20 Md. R. 1595)

Regulation .03A amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1654)

Regulation .03B amended effective May 31, 2010 (37:11 Md. R. 767); September 16, 2013 (40:18 Md. R. 1480)

Regulation .03C amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1654); May 31, 2010 (37:11 Md. R. 767)

Regulation .06 amended as an emergency provision effective July 3, 2002 (29:18 Md. R. 1440); amended permanently effective October 14, 2002 (29:20 Md. R. 1595)

Regulation .06B, E amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1654)

Regulation .06B amended as an emergency provision effective October 11, 2005 (33:2 Md. R. 82); amended permanently effective February 13, 2006 (33:3 Md. R. 244)

Regulation .06 repealed and new Regulation .06 adopted effective May 31, 2010 (37:11 Md. R. 767)

Regulation .07 amended as an emergency provision effective July 3, 2002 (29:18 Md. R. 1440); amended permanently effective October 14, 2002 (29:20 Md. R. 1595)

Regulation .07B amended effective November 24, 2003 (30:23 Md. R. 1654)