1. A. In General. The judges’ manual shall provide detailed procedures for the secure, orderly, and accountable return of all election equipment and other election materials from voting locations.

2. B. Return of Priority Items.

   1. (1) These procedures shall provide for the priority handling of:

      1. (a) Memory devices;
      2. (b) Voted ballots;
      3. (c) Keys to access various voting system compartments;
      4. (d) Reports printed from the precinct tabulators; and
      5. (e) Supply bags.
   2. (2) During early voting, the local board shall deliver those priority items that must be transported daily to the local board and shall be responsible for all items while in transit.
   3. (3) For election day, the local board shall follow procedures established by the State Administrator for delivery of priority items.

   4. (4) On delivery of these items to the local board or counting center, the local board shall:

      1. (a) Give the election judges a receipt for the items; and
      2. (b) Provide for the security of the items throughout the counting process.
3. C. Secure Storage. On their return to the local board or counting center, unused ballots, spoiled ballots, and all materials required for the official canvass shall be placed in secured storage.

Authority: Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), 9-102, 9-105, and 11-201, and Title 9, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.07 and Regulations .09—.29 adopted effective April 11, 2016 (43:7 Md. R. 452)

Regulation .17F amended effective February 10, 2020 (47:3 Md. R. 173)

Regulation .18 amended effective July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 514)

Regulation .30 adopted effective September 29, 2025 (52:19 Md. R. 957)