Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                    1195

25.   Registry Books. (a) Custody. It shall be the duty of said
officers of registration to protect and keep safe said registry books,
each of whom shall be charged with the custody of one of said books
during the intervals between the sessions of the board of registry
until the return of said books to the Supervisors of Elections as here-
inafter provided.

(b) Replacing Registration Books. Whenever in the opinion of
the Board of Supervisors of Elections in any county it becomes neces-
sary to rewrite any of the registration books because said books have
become so worn or the lettered sub-divisions thereof have become so
filled with names that their future use is not practicable, the names
of all persons registered on such books shall be transcribed on new
registration books or cards or loose-leaf pages to be provided by the
said Board. Such work shall be done under the supervision and direc-
tion of the Board of Supervisors.

26.   Registry Cards and Loose-Leaf Pages. (a) Authorized. The
Board of Supervisors of Elections in each county is authorized to
acquire and use registry books consisting of cards or loose-leaf pages.
Such cards or pages shall contain substantially the same information
as required hereinabove for registry books. The cards or pages, and
any binders, cabinets or cases shall be acquired, protected, maintained
and used in general conformity with the provisions of this Article.

(b)   Entries. In any county adopting the use of such cards or
pages, the entries for each applicant for registration shall be entered
thereon, and the cards or pages shall thereafter be returned to the
office of the Supervisors of Elections in sealed envelopes. The cards
or pages shall then be placed in the registry records, which shall be
so designed as to prevent their unlawful removal.

(c)   Exception. All provisions of this Article with respect to the
registration of voters and the keeping and maintaining of records
thereof shall apply in any county adopting the use of and using cards
or loose-leaf pages only to the extent they are applicable thereto.

27.   Challenges. Any voter shall be permitted to be present at the
place of registration in any precinct or district of his county, and
shall have the right to challenge any applicant. The applicant so
challenged shall be carefully questioned by the board of registry as
to his right to be registered in such precinct or district; and by deci-
sion of the majority of the board shall be entered as a qualified voter
or refused registration, as the case may be.

28. Change of Affiliation. No voter after having had his or her affili-
ation registered shall be permitted to make any change in such party
affiliation unless the same shall be made at least six months prior to
the day of the primary election.

29.  Registration Days. General Provisions. On the fifth Tuesday
preceding any primary election and on the Tuesdays eight and seven
weeks, respectively, preceding any general election, each board of
Registry in the respective counties shall meet at the place designated
by the Board of Supervisors of Elections. The board shall proceed
to make a registration of all the persons in its precincts or districts,
as the case may be, who have not previously registered, who may
be entitled to vote at the next general election and who shall present