1766                                     LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 862

(B)     IN ADDITION, THE FIVE AFOREMENTIONED COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS MUST HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICTS
FOR TWO (2) YEARS, OR INSTEAD, RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY
FOR FOUR (4) YEARS. THE FOUR COMMISSIONERS IN ADDITION
MUST BE QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE COMMISSIONER DISTRICT
PRIOR TO ELECTION TO OFFICE.

(C)  THE FIFTH COMMISSIONER WHO WILL BE PRESIDENT OF THE
BOARD [[ON A FULL TIME BASIS IS TO ALSO]] SHALL RUN AT
LARGE AND BE ELECTED BY THE VOTERS OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
THE PRESIDENT MUST BE A REGISTERED VOTER, A RESIDENT OF
THE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS PRIOR TO ELECTION
TO OFFICE AND AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS OF AGE. [[THE
PRESIDENT WILL PRESIDE OVER ALL BOARD OF COMMISSIONER
MEETINGS AND DIRECT THE AFFAIRS OF THAT OFFICE AS
DECIDED BY THREE FIFTHS MAJORITY OF THE BOARD.]] THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY ELECT A VICE PRESIDENT TO
PRESIDE IN THE TEMPORARY ABSENCE OR DISABILITY OF THE
PRESIDENT.

(D)   NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED IN DEROGATION OF
THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESENT DULY ELECTED
COMMISSIONERS.

[[SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That before this Act
becomes effective it shall first be submitted to a referendum of the legally qualified
voters of St. Mary's County at a special election to be held November 6, 1973.
The cost of the special election, if any, shall be paid by the Board of County
Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners and the Board of
Supervisors of Election of St. Mary's County shall do those things necessary and
proper to provide for and hold the referendum here required. There shall be
printed on the ballots or ballot labels to be used at this election the title of this Act
and underneath the title, on separate lines, a square or box to the right of and

opposite the words: "For-----------------" and a corresponding square or box to the

right of and opposite the words "Against-----------------" so that each voter of the

county may designate his or her decision for or against the provisions of this Act.

If a majority of the votes cast in the election are "For---------", the

provisions of this Act shall become effective on the 30th day following the official
canvass of votes for the referendum, but if a majority of the votes cast in the

election are "Against-----------", the provisions of this Act shall be of no effect

and null and void.]]

SECTION [[3]] 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1973; but nothing herein shall be construed to affect the
number, organization, or tenure of the members of the Board of County
Commissioners in office as of July 1, 1973, for the remainder of the term in which
they then are serving, it being the legislative intent that the provisions for an
increased number of County Commissioners shall take effect in the conduct of the
regular elections in the year 1974 and at the time the County Commissioners then
elected begin their terms of office.

Approved May 24, 1973.