1. A. In General. Each time a local board creates a back-up database, the local board shall secure and retain that back-up database.
2. B. Test Deck. The local board shall secure and retain the test script and deck used during preelection testing required under Regulations .14 and .15 of this chapter.

3. C. How and Where.

   1. (1) The election databases and test scripts and decks shall be retained in a secure location, designated by the local board, separate from the location of working copies.
   2. (2) The election databases shall be stored on an external, non-rewritable memory device.

4. D. Duration. The election databases and test scripts and decks shall be retained for as long after the election as required by:

   1. (1) Law or regulation;
   2. (2) Court order; or
   3. (3) State Administrator directive.

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)