8

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 2

indicating your choice. Do not repair or make identifying mark."
If both sides of one or more punchcards are used to accommodate
the ballot, the words "vote both sides" and the other wording
required by this subsection shall appear on both sides of each
punchcard. Where punchcards are used, these instructions may
appear on stubs attached to the cards which may be removed after
the absentee voter has voted. The designation of the election
district or ward and the precinct shall be left blank on paper
ballots on the back and outside of said ballots and on punchcard
ballots on each punchcard and on the outside of the covering
folders for said ballots, and such designation may be filled in
by the appropriate board before being sent to any registered
absentee voter.

27-9.

(b) At any time after 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. EACH BOARD OF
CANVASSERS SHALL KEEP THE BALLOTS SAFE FROM TAMPERING UNTIL THE
CANVASS IS COMPLETED.

(d) A ballot may not be rejected by the board except by the
unanimous vote of the entire board. IF THE INTENT OF THE VOTER IS
NOT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED, ONLY THE VOTE FOR THAT OFFICE OR
QUESTION SHALL BE REJECTED. IF THE BOARD OF CANVASSERS
DETERMINES A BALLOT IS INTENTIONALLY MARKED WITH AN IDENTIFYING
MARK THE ENTIRE BALLOT SHALL NOT BE COUNTED. 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 disclosed or
reported by precinct. All voters' applications, [medical
certificates, notarial] affidavits, certifications, ballot
envelopes and ballots shall be kept separate and apart from
ballots cast at the regular voting places and retained [for six
months] after the date of election at which they were cast[,] FOR
THE TIME REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW, unless prior to that time, the
board is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, to keep
the same for any longer period. The several boards may appoint
such numbers of temporary judges as the boards may deem necessary
to adequately and promptly carry out the provisions of this
section.

(g) Whenever any board shall determine from proof or
investigation that any person who has marked and transmitted or
deposited in person with the board an absentee ballot, whether
under act of Congress or the provisions of this subtitle, has
died before election day, said board shall not count the ballot
of the said deceased voter, but it shall be preserved by the
board for [six months] THE TIME REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW, and may