980 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 799

priate registration book or card. His registration and the
date thereof shall also be noted in the book marked "Appli-
cations of Unregistered Absentee Residents. " The books
herein provided for shall be open to inspection of any can-
didate or his duly authorized representative, and to the
War Ballot Commission or its representatives.

289F. It shall be the duty of the Board to meet as fre-
quently as may be necessary to examine promptly applica-
tions for Absentee Ballots, and unless the Board shall be
unable to ascertain from an application the identity of the
applicant or the address to which the Ballot requested is to
be sent, or unless the Board determines to its satisfaction
that the applicant is not an Absentee Resident, it shall, as
soon as possible after receipt of the application, mail each
Absentee Resident an Absentee Ballot, consistent with the
said Absentee Resident's party affiliation, if any (but if
the Absentee Resident has indicated no party affiliation,
the Board shall be under no duty to send the said Absentee
any Ballot whatsoever), Ballot Envelope, Return-Envelope
and Instructions. Beginning on November 4, 1946, the
Board shall meet not less than once each week, up to and
including the week of December 15, 1946, and at least twice
during the week beginning December 22, 1946, and there-
after as often as may be necessary for the aforesaid pur-
poses. Prior to November 4, 1946, the Board shall mail,
postage prepaid, if postage is required, an Absentee Ballot,
Ballot Envelope, Return Envelope, and the Instructions to
each Absentee Resident from whom a proper application
for such ballot has been received, within fifteen days (15)
after receipt thereof; and after November 4, 1946, said
ballots and other balloting material shall be mailed, postage
prepaid if postage is required, as promptly as possible.

Not more than one Absentee Ballot shall be mailed to
any one applicant unless the Board has reasonable grounds
to believe that the Absentee Ballot previously mailed has
been lost, destroyed or spoiled.

Should there be no contest in any political party entitled
to hold a primary, then the Board of Supervisors of Balti-
more City need not meet as herein otherwise required.

239G. The Board shall cause to be printed an adequate
number of Absentee Ballots for each political party holding
a primary election, of the three kinds of envelopes herein-
after described and of instructions. The words "Absentee
Ballot" shall be printed in large letters in a clear space
at the top of each of said ballots. The ward and precinct
or polling place shall be left blank on the back and outside
of said ballots and shall be filled in by the Board before
being sent to any registered Absentee Resident, and, if the