Until the canvass begins, every vote-by-mail ballot shall:

1. A. Remain sealed in:

   1. (1) The security envelope for Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots; or
   2. (2) The return envelope for all other ballots; and
2. B. Be stored in a secure location to which the public does not have access.

Authority: Election Law Article, §§2-102, 9-501, 9-502, and 9-504—9-506, Annotated Code of Maryland; 42 U.S.C. §1973ff-1

Effective date: September 28, 2015 (42:19 Md. R. 1230)

Regulation .02D amended effective July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 514); January 8, 2024 (50:26 Md. R. 1132)

Regulation .03A amended effective July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 514)

Regulation .04C amended effective March 2, 2026 (53:4 Md. R. 186)