EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTING LA W.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0907*
SENATE BILL 907
G1 2lr3087
CF HB 328
By: Senator Simonaire
Introduced and read first time: February 9, 2022
Assigned to: Rules
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Elections – Polling Place Location Restrictions – Repeal 2
FOR the purpose of repealing restrictions on holding an election in a building used, owned, 3
or occupied by an establishment that holds an alcoholic beverages license; and 4
generally relating to restrictions on polling place locations. 5
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Election Law 7
Section 10–101(a)(4) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 10
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
Article – Election Law 13
10–101. 14
(a) (4) (i) If suitable space in a public building is not available, a local board 15
may pay a reasonable fee for the use of space in a privately owned building. 16
(ii) A polling place may not be located in a privately owned building 17
unless the owner of the building agrees to: 18
1. allow electioneering on the premises up to the 19
electioneering boundary established under § 16–206(b) of this article; and 20
2. allow campaign signs on the premises, at a minimum, 21
from: 22
2 SENATE BILL 907
A. 5 p.m. the day immediately preceding election day until 8 1
a.m. on the day immediately following election day; and 2
B. 5 p.m. the day before an early voting period begins under 3
§ 10–301.1 of this title until 8 a.m. the day after the early voting period ends. 4
[(iii) Except as provided in subparagraphs (iv) and (v) of this 5
paragraph, an election may not be held in any building or part of any building used or 6
occupied by an establishment that holds an alcoholic beverages license. 7
(iv) An election may be held in a building that is owned and occupied 8
by an establishment that holds an alcoholic beverages license if: 9
1. the local board determines that there is no suitable 10
alternative place to hold an election; 11
2. the licensee agrees not to sell or dispense alcoholic 12
beverages during the period beginning 2 hours before the polls open and ending 2 hours 13
after the polls close; and 14
3. where applicable, all ballots are removed from the polling 15
place by the local board immediately following the election. 16
(v) An early voting center may be located in a building that is 17
partially occupied by an establishment that holds an alcoholic beverages license if: 18
1. the State Board, in collaboration with a local board, 19
determines that the building is a suitable site for an early voting center; and 20
2. the entrance to a licensee’s establishment is at least 100 21
feet from the entrance to the building that is closest to the part of the building where the 22
early voting center is located.] 23
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 24
1, 2022. 25