796/Maryland Manual
Art. №" Vacant.
Art. 39. That the manner of admimstering an
oath or affirmation to any person, ought to be
such as those of the religious persuasion, profes-
sion, 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 re-
sponsible 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." That the Legislature ought to encour-
age the diffusion of knowledge and virtue, the ex-
CONSTI'
ARTICLE 1.
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
SECTION 1." 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 dis-
trict, shall be entitled to vote there until he shall
have acquired a residence in another election dis-
trict or ward in this State.
SEC. 2.^ 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 municiple election in
the City of Baltimore, unless his name appears in
'Repealed by Chapter 681, Acts of 1977, ratified November 7,
1978
'Thus amended by Chapter 65, Acts of 1960, ratified November
8,1960
"Added by Chapter 366, Acts of 1972, ratified November 7,
1972

Article 38
tension of a judicious system of general educa-
tion, the promotion of literature, the arts,
sciences, agriculture, commerce and manu-
factures, and the general melioration of the condi-
tion 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 subver-
sive of good Government, and tends to anarchy
and despotism.
Art. 45. "This enumeration of Rights shall not
be construed to impair of deny others retained by
the People.
Art. 46.'" Equality of rights under the law
shall not be abridged or denied because of sex.
ruriON
the list of registered voters; the names of all
persons shall be added to the list of qualified
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.
SEC. 3." The General Assembly of Maryland
shall have power to provide by suitable enact-
ment for voting by qualified voters of the State of
Maryland who are absent at the time of any elec-
tion in which they are entitled to vote and for
voting by other qualified voters who are unable
to vote personally and for the manner in which
and the time and place at which such absent
voters may vote, and for the canvass and return
of their votes.
SEC. 4.'* The General Assembly by law may
regulate or prohibit the right to vote of a per-
son convicted of infamous or other serious crime
or under care or guardianship for mental dis-
ability.
"Thus amended by Chapter 681, Acts of 1977, ratified Novem-
ber 7,1978
"Originally Article 1, sec 5, thus renumbered by Chapter 681,
Acts of 1977, ratified November 7, 1978
"Originally Article 1, sec IA, thus renumbered by Chapter
681, Acts of 1977, ratified November 7, 1978
"Originally Article 1, sec 2, thus renumbered by Chapter 681,
Acts of 1977, ratified November 7, 1978