1. A. Scope. This regulation applies if:

   1. (1) A national or local emergency arises, such as a natural disaster or an armed conflict; and

   2. (2) The emergency makes it impossible or unreasonable to comply fully with:

      1. (a) This subtitle; or
      2. (b) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
2. B. Emergency Procedures Authorized. The State Board may issue special procedures or requirements as appropriate to facilitate absentee voting by all those who might be affected by the emergency and are otherwise eligible to vote.
3. C. Limitations. A special procedure issued under this regulation may not waive any requirement expressly set by statute.

Authority: Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), 2-304, 2-305, 3-202.1, 9-303, 9-305, 9-306, 11-301, 11-302, and 11-304, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01, .02 adopted as an emergency provision effective February 1, 2000 (27:6 Md. R. 637); adopted permanently effective April 17, 2000 (27:7 Md. R. 709)

Regulation .01B amended effective May 31, 2010 (37:11 Md. R. 768); August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1346); September 16, 2013 (40:18 Md. R. 1480); January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 19); December 13, 2021 (48:25 Md. R. 1081)

Regulation .03 adopted effective May 31, 2010 (37:11 Md. R. 768)

Regulation .04 adopted effective April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 469)

Regulation .04A, C amended effective November 24, 2025 (52:23 Md. R. 1140

Regulation .04D— F adopted effective April 15, 2024 (51:7 Md. R. 335)

Regulation .05 adopted effective September 29, 2025 (52:19 Md. R. 957)