Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                     301

ten (10) days prior to any election. Thereupon such boards shall
mail to the voter entitled thereto an absentee ballot. In all other
respects, absentee voting as provided for in this section shall be similar
to and controlled by the applicable procedure provided by law in the
case of absentee voting.

161C. (Determination upon absentee voters' applications for bal-
lots; delivery of ballots).

1.    Upon receipt of such application containing the affidavit, the
Board of Supervisors of Elections shall determine upon such inquiry
as it deems proper whether the applicant is a voter legally qualified
to vote at such election in the ward or election district stated in his
application as the one in which he resides, and if it finds he is not so
qualified, shall reject the application. If said affidavit is verified
before any officer other than a member of the Supervisors of Elec*
tions or an employee thereof designated by it in writing or a notary
public or other officer authorized to administer oaths or is not made
by an applicant who is entitled to apply for an absentee ballot under
the provisions of this sub-title, the Board shall reject the application.
If the Board or member thereof suspects that the applicant is not
such a qualified voter, the Board must make inquiry in reference
thereto. Upon cause duly shown that the applicant is not a qualified
voter, the Board shall withhold delivery of an absentee ballot.

2.   If the Board shall find that the applicant is a qualified voter
of the ward or election district containing his residence as stated in
his affidavit, and that his affidavit is sufficient, it shall, as soon as
practicable after it shall have determined his right thereto, deliver
to him, at the office of the Board, or shall mail to him at an address
designated by him, an absentee voter's ballot and an envelope there-
for. Postage for transmitting ballot material to the voter shall be
paid by the Board, and postage for the return of ballots shall be paid
by the voters. If the ballots are to be sent by mail, such determine
tion shall be made at a time which will afford an opportunity for the
transmission and return of the ballots in the usual course of mail,
depending on the location of the mailing address, and which will
allow at least one secular day for marking the ballots, making the
necessary affidavit and remailing; but the investigations shall be
concluded and determinations made as to all applicants not later than
the last Wednesday before election day.

3.   The Board shall keep a record of applications for absentee
voters' ballots as they are received, showing the names and residences
of the applicants, and a complete list of all applicants to whom ab-
sentee voters' ballots have been delivered or mailed shall be made
available for inspection by any candidate on the ballot or his political
agent.

161D. (Ballots for absentee voters). (1) The several Boards
shall cause to be printed an adequate number of absentee ballots, of
the three kinds of envelopes hereinafter 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 designation of the
polling place shall be left blank on the back and outside of said ballots
and shall be filled in by the appropriate Board before being sent to
any registered absentee resident. One envelope shall be known as the