Maryland Manual 1994-1995

meaning of this article: nor shall any remuneration received
as a consequence of membership in a reserve component of
the armed forces of the United States or of membership in
the militia of the United States or of this State be consid-
ered a present within the meaning of this article.

Art. 36.¹⁰ That as it is the duty of every man to worship
God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him,
all persons are equally entitled to protection in their relig-
ious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be
molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious
persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice,
unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good
order, peace or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws
of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil or relig-
ious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to
frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to
maintain, any place of worship, or any ministry; nor shall
any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent
as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief;
provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that
under His dispensation such person will be held morally
accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished
therefor either in this world or in the world to come.

Nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference
to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a
Supreme Being in any governmental or public document,
proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution, or place.

Nothing in this article shall constitute an establishment
of religion.

Art. 37. That no religious test ought ever to be re-
quired as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in
this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence
of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath
of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution.

Art. 38.¹¹ Vacant.

Art. 39. That the manner of administering an oath or
affirmation to any person, ought to be such as those of the
religious persuasion, profession, or denomination, of
which he is a member, generally esteem the most effectual
confirmation by the attestation of the Divine Being.

Art. 40. That the liberty of the press ought to be
inviolably preserved; that every citizen of the State ought to
be allowed to speak, write and publish his sentiments on all
subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that privilege.

Art. 41. That monopolies are odious, contrary to the
spirit of a free government and the principles of commerce,
and ought not to be suffered.

Art. 42. That no title of nobility or hereditary honors
ought to be granted in this State.

Art. 43.¹² That the Legislature ought to encourage the
diffusion of knowledge and virtue, the extension of a
judicious system of general education, the promotion of
literature, the arts, sciences, agriculture, commerce and
manufactures, and the general melioration of the condition
of the People. The Legislature may provide that land
actively devoted to farm or agricultural use shall be assessed
on the basis of such use and shall not be assessed as if
sub-divided.

Art. 44. That the provisions of the Constitution of the
United States, and of this State, apply, as well in time of
war, as in time of peace; and any departure therefrom, or
violation thereof, under the plea of necessity, or any other
plea, is subversive of good Government, and tends to
anarchy and despotism.

Art. 45. This enumeration of Rights shall not be
construed to impair or deny others retained by the People.

Art. 46. Equality of rights under the law shall not be
abridged or denied because of sex.

ARTICLE I.

SECTION 1.¹⁴ All elections shall be by ballot. Every
citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years or
upwards, who is a resident of the State as of the time for
the closing of registration next preceding the election, shall
be entitled to vote in the ward or election district in which
he resides at all elections to be held in this State. A person
once entitled to vote in any election district, shall be
entitled to vote there until he shall have acquired a resi-
dence in another election district or ward in this State.

SEC. 1A.¹⁵ Vacant.

SEC. 2.¹⁶ The General Assembly shall provide by law
for a uniform registration of the names of all voters in this
State, who possess the qualifications prescribed in this
Article, which Registration shall be conclusive evidence to
the Judges of Election of the right of every person, thus
registered, to vote at any election thereafter held in this
State; but no person shall vote, at any election, Federal or
State, hereafter to be held in this State, or at any municipal
election in the City of Baltimore, unless his name appears
in the list of registered voters; the names of all persons shall
be added to the list of qualified voters by the officers of
Registration, who have the qualifications prescribed in the
first section of this Article, and who are not disqualified
under the provisions of the second and third sections
thereof