Article 34

Art. 34. That a long continuance in the Executive
Departments of power or trust is dangerous to liberty; a
rotation, therefore, in those departments is one of the
best securities of permanent freedom.

Art. 35.⁶ That no person shall hold, at the same time,
more than one office of profit, created by the Constitu-
tion or Laws of this State; nor shall any person in pub-
lic trust receive any present from any foreign Prince or
State, or from the United States, or any of them, with-
out the approbation of this State. The position of Nota-
ry Public shall not be considered an office of profit
within the meaning of this Article.

Art. 36.⁷ That as it is the duty of every man to wor-
ship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable
to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection
in their religious 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 re-
ligion, 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 religious rights;
nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or
maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to main-
tain, any place of worship, or any ministry; nor shall
any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompe-
tent 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 refer-
ence 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, insti-
tution, or place.

Nothing in this article shall constitute an establish-
ment of religion.

Art. 37. That no religious test ought ever to be re-
quired as a qualification for any office of profit or trust

CONSTI

ARTICLE I.
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.

SECTION I." All elections shall be by ballot. Ev-
ery citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years
or upwards, who is a resident of the State as of the time

' Thus amended by Chapter 129, Acts of 1964, ratified Novem-
ber 8, 1964.

Constitution of Maryland/665

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. 38.⁸ 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 effec-
tual confirmation by the attestation of the Divine Being.

Art. 40. That the liberty of the press ought to be in-
violably 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 com-
merce, and ought not to be suffered.

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

Art. 43.⁹ That the Legislature ought to encourage
the diffusion of knowlege 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 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 neces-
sity, or any other plea, is subversive of good Govern-
ment, and tends to anarchy and despotism.

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

Art. 46.¹⁰ Equality of rights under the law shall not
be abridged or denied because of sex.

TUTION

for the closing of registration next preceding the elec-
tion, 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 elec-
tion district, shall be entitled to vote there until he shall
have acquired a residence in another election district or
ward in this State.