1368 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 657

tion administered by the Town Clerk shall be as binding and
effective in all proceedings, criminal or civil, as if administered
by a notary public or other officer qualified under the laws of
the State of Maryland to administer oaths or affirmations. All
applications for registration in the Town Register shall be pre-
served as permanent records of the town in the custody of the
Commissioners. Registration in the Town Register shall not
preclude any judge of election from challenging the right of
the registrant to vote in an election of town officers on the
ground of falsity of any of the statements contained in the
application for registration, or on the ground of the registrant
having become ineligible to vote since filing his application for
registration in the Town Register, and any judge of election,
with the concurrence of one other judge of election, may require
the registrant whose qualifications are challenged, as a condi-
tion precedent to his voting in the election, to make a declara-
tion under oath or affirmation in respect of any or all matters
bearing on the registrant's eligibility under Section 25 of this
sub-title to vote in the instant election of town officers. The
judges of election are hereby authorized to administer the oath
or affirmation hereinbefore provided for and an oath or affirma-
tion so administered shall be as binding and effective in any
and all proceedings, criminal or civil, as if administered by a
notary public or other officer qualified under the laws of the
State of Maryland to administer oaths or affirmations.

26. (a) Election for town officers, except as hereinafter
provided for the referendum and the first election held here-
under, shall be held on the first Tuesday in May at a place or
places to be designated by the commissioners, at which elec-
tion the polls shall remain open from two o'clock until eight
P. M.

The election shall be conducted by three judges of election
and two clerks be appointed by the commissioners of said town.
At least fifteen days before any election the said com-
missioners shall cause to be posted in three public places in
said town the notice of said election, designating the place
or places of voting, the hours the polls are open and the names
of the judges and clerks. In the event that any judge or Clerk
after appointment is unable or declines to serve, the remaining
judges shall name some one to take his place. Suitable ballot
boxes, polling places and printed ballots shall be provided by
the said commissioners. Any person desiring to become a
candidate for any elective office shall, at least ten days
before election, file, or cause to be filed with the commission-
ers, the chairman or clerk thereof, a petition stating that he or
she is a candidate for the office, which petition must be signed
by such person and endorsed by at least three persons entitled