1720                                    LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 354

in accordance with § 26-12 of this article with the board at
which the candidate filed his certificate of candidacy.
Election reports as specified below are required by all
candidates for public or party office whether or not the
candidate's name appears on the primary ballot, or the
candidate withdraws subsequent to filing his certificate of
candidacy, or the candidate is unsuccessful in the election.
Each report filed shall contain all contributions received
and expenditures made in furtherance of the candidate's
nomination or election by the candidate himself or, with the
knowledge of the candidate, by any other person or groups of
persons, WHICH SHALL BE COMPLETE, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION through and including the seventh
day immediately preceding the day by which that report is to
be filed. The initial report filed shall contain all
contributions so received and expenditures so made since the
date of the last preceding election to fill the office for
which he is a candidate. Each subsequent report shall
contain all contributions so received and expenditures so
made since the end of the period for which the last
preceding report is filed. Even if no contributions or
expenditures have been made since the end of the period for
which the last preceding report was filed, a statement to
that effect must be filed on the forms prescribed pursuant
to § 26-12 of this article under the circumstances and at
the times specified in this section. The initial and
subsequent reports shall be consecutively filed as follows:

(2) No later than the [Tuesday] SECOND FRIDAY
immediately preceding any election WHICH SHALL BE COMPLETE
THROUGH AND INCLUDING THE PRECEDING SUNDAY; and

(e) [Whenever any report is required to be filed by a
certain date, it] ANY REPORT shall be considered timely if
it is mailed [by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, and bears a postmark] on or before [the
required date] THE THIRD DAY PRECEDING THE FILING DEADLINE,
regardless of when it is actually received, IF THE UNITED
STATES POSTAL SERVICE HAS PROVIDED VERIFICATION OF THAT FACT
BY AFFIXING A MARK SO INDICATING ON EITHER THE ENVELOPE OR
ANY RECEIPT THEREFOR. Unless a report is mailed, the boards
and the State Administrative Board of Election Laws shall
provide a receipt for each report received.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1981.

Approved May 12, 1981.

CHAPTER 355
(House Bill 298)