HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1501

BY renumbering

Article 33 - Election Code

Section 27-9(c), (d), (e), (f) and (g)

to be Section 27-9(e), (f), (g), (h), and (i)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1976 Replacement Volume and 1980 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 33 - Election Code

27-9.

(b) At [any] A REASONABLE time after [ the

closing of the polls] 4 P.M. ON THE WEDNESDAY FOLLOWING
ELECTION DAY and not later than the canvass of the votes
cast at the regular voting places in this State at any
election, the several boards shall meet at the usual place
for holding the circuit court for the county or at the usual
offices of the board and shall proceed to count, certify and
canvass the absentee ballots contained in the ballot
envelopes, . [received by them] POSTMARKED prior to the
closing of the polls on election day. ]

(C) (1) A BALLOT SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS RECEIVED
TIMELY PROVIDED;:

(1) (I) IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE BOARD PRIOR
TO THE CLOSING OF THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY,OR;; OR

(2) (II) 1. IT WAS MAILED ON OR BEFORE ELECTION
DAY,; AND;

(3) 2. THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, OR
POSTAL SERVICE OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY, HAS PROVIDED
VERIFICATION OF THAT FACT BY AFFIXING A MARK SO INDICATING
ON THE COVERING ENVELOPE,AND;; AND

(4) 3. THE BOARD RECEIVES THE BALLOT FROM THE
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE NOT LATER THAN 4 P.M. ON THE
WEDNESDAY FOLLOWING ELECTION DAY.

(2) ANY BALLOT RECEIVED AFTER 4 P.M. ON THE
WEDNESDAY FOLLOWING ELECTION DAY MAY NOT BE COUNTED.

(D)  A ballot may not be rejected by the board except
by the unanimous vote of the entire board. This canvass
shall be conducted by election district or ward and precinct
or by congressional, councilmanic, or legislative districts
in accordance with the applicable provisions of § 14-1 of
this article. Absentee ballots may not be separately