Ch. 380

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

the State Administrator shall immediately forward the documents to the Secretary of
the Department of Planning and the Executive Director of the Department of
Legislative Services.

(f)      Notwithstanding any restrictions imposed by this section, subject to the
approval of the State Board, a local board may create a new precinct or change a
precinct boundary OR POLLING PLACE if the local board determines that an
emergency exists.

(g)     (1) The regulations adopted by the State Board shall include procedures
for the creation of new precincts and changes to precinct boundaries OR POLLING
PLACES.

(2) A local board may create a new precinct or make a change in a
precinct boundary OR POLLING PLACE only in accordance with regulations adopted by
the State Board.

3-303.

(a) Except as provided in [subsection (b)] SUBSECTIONS (B) AND (C) of this
section, a local board, at the signed request of a registered voter, shall change that
voter's party affiliation, or change the voter to or from a decline, at any time that
registration is open [unless the request is received during the following time
periods:].

(B) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION,
PARTY AFFILIATION MAY NOT BE CHANGED:

[(1)] (I) from 9 p.m. on the Monday, or the next regular business day if
the Monday is a legal holiday, that is 12 weeks before the day on which a primary
election is to be held under § 8-201 of this article, until and including the day on
which the registration reopens after the primary election is held; and

[(2)] (II) from and including the day of issuance of a gubernatorial
proclamation calling a special election, pursuant to § 8-710 of this article, or from 5
p.m. on the next regular business day if the day of issuance is a legal holiday, until
and including the day on which that special election is held.

(2) IF A VOTER REQUESTS A PARTY AFFILIATION CHANGE DURING A
PERIOD SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE LOCAL BOARD
SHALL MAKE THE CHANGE IF:

(I)      THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE, AS DETERMINED BY THE
LOCAL BOARDS PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE STATE BOARD, THAT
THE REQUEST WAS MAILED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD SPECIFIED IN
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION; OR

(II)     THE REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED BY THE VOTER TO THE MOTOR
VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION, A VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCY, ANOTHER LOCAL
BOARD, OR THE STATE BOARD BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD SPECIFIED
IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION.

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