BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor                         1439

WHICH THERE WAS AUTHORIZATION IS LAW IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO
JULY 1, 1978, IS CERTIFIED AND MAY NOT BE DECERTIFIED BY THE
BOARD.

[(3)](4) To constitute a depository for such
election records and relevant information concerning
elections as may be provided by law or by administrative
practice.

[(4)] (5) To make an annual report to the
General Assembly including recommended changes in this
article to assure its uniform administration and improvement
in the procedure for the conduct of registration, voting and
elections.

16-1.

(a) [Except in Montgomery County for any election at
which the use of electronically tabulated punchcard ballots
has been authorized by the State Administrative Board of
Election Laws pursuant to § 16A—1 of this article, the
boards shall provide for the use of voting machines] THE
BOARDS SHALL USE A CERTIFIED VOTING SYSTEM in all elections
CONDUCTED in accordance with the provisions of this Article
and under such rules and regulations as the [boards] STATE
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF ELECTION LAWS may deem advisable or
necessary. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE. PROVIDED BY LAW, A LOCAL
BOARD MAY USE ONLY ONE VOTING SYSTEM IN ANY ELECTION UNLESS
AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE STATE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF
ELECTION LAWS. The boards may purchase, rent, lease or
otherwise acquire [such number of voting machines] CERTIFIED
VOTING SYSTEMS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT as may be required to
[equip any and all of the polling places in the city or
county, as the case may be] IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
SUBSECTION. In the event of the leasing, rental or other
acquisition of [such machines, they] A VOTING SYSTEM AND
RELATED EQUIPMENT, IT shall be exempt from State, county or
municipal taxation.

VOTING SYSTEMS

16B-1.

THE STATE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF ELECTION LAWS,
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO IN THIS SUBTITLE AS THE "STATE
BOARD," SHALL EXERCISE ITS AUTHORITY UNDER SECTION
1A-1(E)(3) RELATING TO VOTING SYSTEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE.

16B-2.

(A) THE STATE BOARD SHALL PERIODICALLY REVIEW
CERTIFIED VOTING SYSTEMS AND EVALUATE ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS TO
ASSURE THAT ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED WITH EQUIPMENT BEST
DESIGNED TO:

(1) PROTECT THE SECRECY OF THE BALLOT;