STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

[photo, 151 West St., Annapolis, Maryland]

Prior to formation of the State Board of Elections, the Secretary of State in conjunction with local boards of election supervisors was responsible for the conduct of elections in Maryland.

In 1969, the State Board of Elections was created by the General Assembly as the State Administrative Board of Election Laws (Chapter 555, Acts of 1969). Upon its creation, the Board assumed all powers and duties formerly vested in the Secretary of State with regards to elections. On January 1, 1999, the Board was renamed the State Board of Elections (Chapter 585, Acts of 1998).

151 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, October 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The conduct of voter registration and elections in Maryland is supervised by the State Board of Elections, which directs, supports, monitors, and evaluates the activities of the local boards of elections in each county and Baltimore City. Each local board of elections is responsible for overseeing the conduct of all elections held within its jurisdiction (Code Election Law Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-305). In odd-numbered years, the Board meets with the boards of elections from the counties and Baltimore City to instruct them, their employees, and counsel on their duties in the conduct of elections.

The State Board of Elections prepares and certifies ballots, administers petitions, and publishes statewide ballot questions before elections.

To maximize the use of technology in election administration, the State Board of Elections oversees the upgrade and standardization of voting systems and election procedures statewide (Chapter 564, Acts of 2001). The Board also administers the voter registration-by-mail program.

The Board administers the Fair Election Practices Act to regulate the financing of campaigns for State and county offices, and govern the receipt and expenditure of funds for those election campaigns (Code Election Law Article, secs. 13-101 through 13-604). It also administers the Public Financing Act, which provides for public financing of the campaigns of eligible gubernatorial candidates who elect to use such funds (Code Election Law Article, secs. 15-101 through 15-114).

For election and registration records, campaign financial reports, and other election information, the State Board of Elections serves as a depository.

The State Board of Elections consists of five members appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Each member must belong to a principal political party with neither party having more than three or less than two members. Each member appointed by the Governor has been named by the state central committee of the principal political party entitled to the appointment (Chapter 4, Acts of 2005; Code Election Law Article, sec. 2-101).

VOTING
Since the 2016 elections, voters cast their ballots using a paper-based

voting system

During early voting and on election day, all voters will mark a pre-printed paper ballot by hand at the voting booth. After reviewing their paper ballots, voters will insert them into a tabulation device which records their vote. The ballots automatically drop into a secure ballot box for safekeeping.

EARLY VOTING
Since 2010, registered voters have been able to cast their ballot in person during early voting or on election day, or by absentee ballot. For 2024 primary and general elections, early voting starts on the second Thursday before election day and continues each day through the Thursday before election. Early voters may vote at any early voting center in their county. Voters who choose to vote on election day must travel to their assigned polling place to cast their ballot.

ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION
Since July 2012, the State Board of Elections has made available an Online Voter Registration (OLVR) System. Voters now can register to vote in federal, State, county and municipal elections in Maryland. They also can update their registration to reflect change of name, address, or party affiliation.

In 2002, the federal Help America Vote Act required each state to develop a centralized, interactive computerized, statewide voter registration list. Maryland, in 2006, implemented its database of registered voters, MDVOTERS. In 2011, the General Assembly authorized the State Board of Elections to exchange voter registration data with other states to improve the accuracy of voter registration lists (Chapter 288 & 299, Acts of 2011).

In May 2012, Maryland became a founding member of the Electronic Registration Information Center, which compiles voter registration and driver's licenses databases from participating states, as well as some federal data. The shared information increases the accuracy of voter registration databases. Besides Maryland, the participating states are Colorado, Delaware, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Published by the Board, Registration and Election Laws of Maryland is available for sale to the public. Also available are primary and general election returns beginning with 1948. More recent returns are available on-line from the State Board of Elections website.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR OF ELECTIONS

The State Administrator of Elections is the chief election official for the State. The Administrator oversees functions of the State Board of Elections, supervises the operations of local boards of elections, and receives and audits financial reports of candidates required under the Election Code (Code Election Law Article, secs. 13-401 through 13-404).

Appointed by the State Board of Elections with Senate advice and consent, the State Administrator also serves as Secretary to the Board of State Canvassers (Code Election Law Article, secs. 2-103, 11-501 through 11-503).

By law, the State Administrator of Elections is a member of the Maryland Cybersecurity Council, and serves as Secretary to the Board of State Canvassers.

With Senate advice and consent, the State Administrator is appointed by the State Board of Elections (Code Election Law Article, secs. 2-103, 11-501 through 11-503).

ADMINISTRATION

Assisting the State Administrator of Elections is the Deputy Administrator who oversees Administration.

Under Administration are Budget; Candidacy and Campaign Finance; Election Management; Election Policy and Operations; Human Resources; Information Security; Information Technology; and Procurement.

BUDGET

Under Administration, Budget originated as the Fiscal Management Division. It reformed as the Budget and Personnel Division in 2004, and reorganized as the Budget and Finance Division in May 2009. It was renamed the Finance Division by 2021, and reorganized as Finance and Budget Management, and Procurement by January 2022. As Budget and Finance it reformed in 2023. By July 2024, it had been renamed Budget.

CANDIDACY & CAMPAIGN FINANCE DIVISION

The Candidacy and Campaign Finance Division was initiated in 1990. Formerly under Election Policy, it later transferred to Administration.

The Division oversees the manner in which candidates and their organizations collect, spend, and report funds as regulated by Maryland's campaign finance laws.

Since 1999, all campaign finance reports must be submitted to the Division in electronic format (Chapter 473, Acts of 1999). The Division provides free electronic-filing software (ELECTrack) and technical assistance to campaign account treasurers. Data from campaign finance reports is compiled by the Division into a master database and made available on the Internet.

ELECTION MANAGEMENT

The Election Management Division was organized in July 2024.

Under the Division are three units: Agency Services, Facility and Inventory, and Records Management

RECORDS MANAGEMENT
Records Management moved under Election Management in July 2024.

Since October 1, 2017, the State Board of Elections has had a program for the continual, economical and efficient management of its records. The Board's Records Officer develops and oversees the program, and serves as liaison to the Records Management Division of the Department of General Services, and to the State Archives (Chapter 539, Acts of 2017; Code State Government Article, secs. 10-608 through 10-611).

ELECTION POLICY & OPERATIONS

Election Policy and Operations began in 2012 as Election Policy. It reorganized under its present name by July 2024.

Three units are overseen by Election Policy and Operations three units: Audits; Mail-In Voting; and Voter Registration and Operations.

VOTER REGISTRATION AND OPERATIONS DIVISION
The Division of Voter Registration and Operations Division started as the Voter Registration Division. Renamed the Voter Registration and Petitions Division in 2004, it assumed its present name in July 2024, when it was placed under Election Policy and Operations.

As required by the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, the Division automated, centralized, and made an interactive statewide voter registration database for Maryland, which was implemented in 2006.

Voter registration activities of local boards of elections, and the reporting of voter registration information from other state agencies are supervised and coordinated by the Division. Moreover, the Division conducts voter registration volunteer training, and periodically compiles and makes available voter registration statistics. In addition, submission of voter petitions for referenda, establishing new political parties, and nominating independent or third party candidates to the ballot, are overseen by the Division.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Human Resources began as the Personnel Services Division under Administration. Renamed Human Resources In 2019, it transferred to the Finance Division by January 2022, and moved back to Administration in 2023.

INFORMATION SECURITY

As the Computer Technology Division, Information Security started. It reformed as the Information Technology Division in 1999, and became Information Technology and Security in 2006. The Division, by July 2024, divided into two separate units: Information Technology, and Information Security.

Information Security monitors and revises security procedures to back-up and store data . It protects electronic data centers from outside intrusion. For local boards of elections, Information Security conducts periodic security audits.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Information Technology began as the Computer Technology Division. In 1999, it reformed as the Information Technology Division and, in 2006, became Information Technology and Security. By July 2024, the Division was divided into two separate units: Information Technology, and Information Security.

A local area network for its headquarters operation is maintained by Information Technology. This network includes servers that support election management, campaign finance reporting, and e-mail communications.

To the State Board of Elections and local boards of elections, Information Technology provides technical support and expertise. It develops technology policies, provides network management, software upgrades, and website enhancements.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

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