Nothing in this article shall constitute an establishment of reli-
gion.

Art. 37. That no religious test ought ever to be required 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 pre-
scribed by this Constitution.

Art. 38. ⁹ Vacant.

Art. 39. That the manner of administering an oath or affirma-
tion to any person, ought to be such as those of the religious
persuasion, profession, or denomination, of which he is a mem-
ber, generally esteem the most effectual confirmation by the at-
testation 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 encourage the diffu-
sion of knowledge and virtue, the extension of a judicious system
of general education, the promotion of literature, the arts, sci-
ences, 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 as-
sessed 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.

Constitution of Maryland/7 5 3
CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I.
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.

SECTION 1. ¹² AH 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 district or ward in this State.

SEC. 1A. ¹³ Vacant.

14
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 Regis-
tration 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.

SEC. 3. ¹⁵ The General Assembly of Maryland shall have
power to provide by suitable enactment for voting by qualified
voters of the State of Maryland who are absent at the time of
any election 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 ab-
sent 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 person convicted of infamous or
other serious crime or under care or guardianship for mental
disability.