Ch. 398                                    LAWS OF MARYLAND

1-1.

(a) As used in this article the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated unless a contrary meaning is clearly
intended from the context in which the term appears:

(16) "Precinct" means an election district in a
county which is not divided into precincts or an election
precinct in an election district which is divided into precincts
or a precinct in a ward of the City of Baltimore, as the case may
be.

(16A) "Punchcard" means a standard computer
tabulating card on which the voter may record his vote by
punching a hole opposite his choices.

(16B) "COMPUTER READ DOCUMENT" MEANS A DOCUMENT USED
AS A BALLOT WHICH CAN BE TABULATED BY ELECTRONIC COMPUTING
EQUIPMENT.

27-7.

(a)  In sufficient time prior to any election, the boards
shall have printed an adequate number of absentee ballots, the
three kinds of envelopes described in this section, and the
instructions to absentee voters as set out in § 27-8 of this
article.

(1)  Absentee ballots in the discretion of the board
may be in the form either of paper ballots or of one or more
punchcards OR OTHER COMPUTER READ DOCUMENTS kept together in a
covering folder, provided that all absentee ballots in any one
county or Baltimore City shall be in the same form. The form and
arrangement of all absentee ballots shall be as prescribed by the
State Administrative Board of Election Laws.

(2)  Notwithstanding any provision in this subsection,
before any board may use punchcard ballots OR BALLOTS THAT ARE
OTHER COMPUTER READ DOCUMENTS, the particular [punchcard] ballot
system, including the form of ballot arrangement, the nature of
the [punchcard] BALLOT used, the method of marking ballots, and
any sorting or counting devices must be approved for use in the
State by the State Administrative Board of Election Laws. Before
approving a punchcard OR OTHER COMPUTER. READ DOCUMENT ballot
system for use in the State, the State Administrative Board of
Election Laws shall be satisfied that the system is accurate,
efficient and free from the likelihood of mechanical breakdowns:
and understandable by voters, that it is subject to recount by
some other system, and that it complies with the laws of
Maryland.

(b)   [The] ALL ballots shall contain the words "Absentee
Ballot" or "Official Ballot" printed in large letters in a clear

- 2048 -