186

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 96

may duly come before the parish at any annual or special
meeting. In the case of a newly organized parish, the
right of suffrage shall extend to all members of the new
congregation for the election of the initial vestry and
the adoption of bylaws. Additional qualifications for
suffrage not inconsistent herewith, if any, shall be
contained in bylaws adopted in accordance with the
provisions of (a) hereof, provided that the age of all
voters shall not be less than 18 years of age.

(a) The parishes and separate congregations of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Maryland may
by bylaws provide for the time, place, and manner of
calling the annual meeting, and all special meetings of
the parish and the manner of conducting elections of
vestrymen, the number of vestrymen to be elected, and the
length of the terms of the offices of vestrymen. Such
bylaws may be adopted at any annual meeting or special
meeting of members of the parish or congregation by a
vote of two thirds of the qualified voters present at
such meeting. Any bylaws adopted as authorized by this
section shall be subject to amendment, modification, or
repeal at any annual meeting or special meeting of the
parish or congregation in the same manner as herein
provided for adoption of such bylaws. Subject to the
provisions of applicable public law, parish bylaws shall
be in conformity with the constitution and canons of the
Protestant Episcopal Church and of the diocese of said
church wherein the parish is located.

312B. Enrollment of applicants by secretary of parish.

The secretary of the parish shall, and it is hereby
declared to be his duty, to enroll any person of the
Protestant Episcopal Church who shall apply for the
purpose, on the books of the parish.

312C. Perpetuation of vestry.

To perpetuate the vestry in each parish, if a
vacancy happens in the vestry after their election, or
anyone elected shall refuse to serve, then the other
members shall have the power to appoint a new member or
members, as the case may be, to serve till the next
succeeding annual election.

312D. Vestrymen to judge elections and qualifications of
voters and proposed vestrymen.

The vestrymen of each parish, or a majority of those
who shall attend, shall judge of the election of
vestrymen, and of the qualification of voters, and of the
qualification of the parishioners proposed to be elected
as vestrymen.

312E. Oath of vestrymen.

The bylaws of a parish may provide that every person