J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                     1431

title "Justices of the Peace," subtitle "Process and Practice," pro-
viding for the service of Civil Summons by registered mail with
return receipt by Justices of the Peace in Washington County.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 34 of Article 52 of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1957 Edition), title "Justices of the Peace," subtitle "Process and
Practice," be and it is hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amend-
ments, to read as follows:

34.

(a)  The process to be issued by justices of the peace in civil cases
shall be a summons, wherein shall be stated briefly the purpose for
which the party is summoned, and shall be made returnable before
the justice issuing the same, or before some other justice to be
named therein, on a day to be stated in said summons, not exceeding
forty days from the time of issuing the same.

(b) In Washington County, Summons, which shall include as a part
thereof a copy of the statement of claim shall be served upon the
defendant named therein, either by Constable or, in suits for money
judgments, when and as authorized by rule as hereinafter provided,
by registered mail with return receipt, or by certified mail with
return receipt. Where service is by registered mail, or by certified
mail, the clerk shall enclose the summons and a copy of the statement
of claim in an envelope addressed to the defendant, prepay the
postage and mail the same forthwith, noting on the records the day
and hour of mailing. Such receipt when returned shall be attached
by the clerk to the original statement of claim and shall constitute
prima facie evidence of service upon the defendant. If such receipt
is not returned within such time as shall be prescribed by rule, per-
sonal service upon such defendant shall be made by Constable. Any
such mail summons shall constitute effective service even though
not delivered if (1) such non-delivery is caused by the addressee's
or addressee's agent's refusal to accept delivery and (2) the Clerk
mails such sumons to the addressee by ordinary mail at least three
days before the date fixed for the trial. Notations by an authorized
postal employee to the effect that the addressee or his agent has
refused delivery shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1963.

Approved April 30, 1963.

CHAPTER 689
(House Bill 930)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 256 (a)
of Article 33 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edition
and 1962 Supplement), title "Elections," subtitle "Servicemen's
Absentee Voting," to provide that the canvass of the votes on OF
absentee ballots of servicemen be counted CONDUCTED at the