| Old | New | Differences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 3 | EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW. | |
| 4 | 4 | [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. | |
| 5 | - | Underlining indicates amendments to bill. | |
| 6 | - | Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by | |
| 7 | - | amendment. | |
| 8 | 5 | *sb0615* | |
| 9 | 6 | ||
| 10 | 7 | SENATE BILL 615 | |
| 11 | 8 | G1 5lr1183 | |
| 12 | 9 | CF HB 816 | |
| 13 | 10 | By: Senator Kagan | |
| 14 | 11 | Introduced and read first time: January 25, 2025 | |
| 15 | 12 | Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment | |
| 16 | - | Committee Report: Favorable with amendments | |
| 17 | - | Senate action: Adopted | |
| 18 | - | Read second time: February 21, 2025 | |
| 19 | 13 | ||
| 20 | - | ||
| 14 | + | A BILL ENTITLED | |
| 21 | 15 | ||
| 22 | 16 | AN ACT concerning 1 | |
| 23 | 17 | ||
| 24 | 18 | Election Law – Petitions and Ballot Questions – Contents, Plain Language 2 | |
| 25 | 19 | Requirement, and Procedures 3 | |
| 26 | 20 | ||
| 27 | 21 | FOR the purpose of altering the information that is required to be included on the signature 4 | |
| 28 | 22 | page of a petition seeking to place a question on the ballot and with a question on 5 | |
| 29 | 23 | the ballot; requiring that a certain summary included on the signature page of a 6 | |
| 30 | 24 | petition seeking to place a question on the ballot and a certain statement about a 7 | |
| 31 | 25 | question on the ballot be written in plain language; altering the deadline by which 8 | |
| 32 | 26 | ballot questions must be prepared and certified; requiring the State Board of 9 | |
| 33 | 27 | Elections to make certain information regarding a ballot question available for a 10 | |
| 34 | 28 | public comment period; requiring the State Board and each applicable local board of 11 | |
| 35 | 29 | elections to post certain information relating to certain ballot questions for at least 12 | |
| 36 | 30 | a certain period of time before the general election; and generally relating to petitions 13 | |
| 37 | 31 | and ballot questions. 14 | |
| 38 | 32 | ||
| 39 | 33 | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15 | |
| 40 | 34 | Article – Election Law 16 | |
| 41 | - | Section 6–103(b), 6–201(c) and (d), 7–103(b) and (c), and 7–105 | |
| 35 | + | Section 6–103(b), 6–201(c) and (d), 7–103(b) and (c), and 7–105 17 | |
| 42 | 36 | Annotated Code of Maryland 18 | |
| 43 | 37 | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 19 | |
| 44 | 38 | ||
| 45 | 39 | BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 20 | |
| 46 | 40 | Article – Election Law 21 | |
| 47 | 41 | Section 6–201(a) 22 | |
| 48 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 23 2 SENATE BILL 615 | |
| 42 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 23 | |
| 43 | + | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 24 | |
| 44 | + | ||
| 45 | + | BY adding to 25 | |
| 46 | + | Article – Election Law 26 | |
| 47 | + | Section 7–103(e) 27 | |
| 48 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 28 2 SENATE BILL 615 | |
| 49 | 49 | ||
| 50 | 50 | ||
| 51 | 51 | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 1 | |
| 52 | 52 | ||
| 53 | - | BY adding to 2 | |
| 54 | - | Article – Election Law 3 | |
| 55 | - | Section 7–103(e) 4 | |
| 56 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 5 | |
| 57 | - | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 6 | |
| 53 | + | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 2 | |
| 54 | + | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 3 | |
| 58 | 55 | ||
| 59 | - | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 7 | |
| 60 | - | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 8 | |
| 56 | + | Article – Election Law 4 | |
| 61 | 57 | ||
| 62 | - | ||
| 58 | + | 6–103. 5 | |
| 63 | 59 | ||
| 64 | - | 6 | |
| 60 | + | (b) (1) The State Board shall: 6 | |
| 65 | 61 | ||
| 66 | - | (b) (1) The State Board shall: 11 | |
| 62 | + | (i) prepare guidelines and instructions relating to the petition 7 | |
| 63 | + | process; and 8 | |
| 67 | 64 | ||
| 68 | - | ( | |
| 69 | - | ||
| 65 | + | (ii) design and arrange to have sample forms available to the public 9 | |
| 66 | + | conforming to this title for each purpose for which a petition is authorized by law. 10 | |
| 70 | 67 | ||
| 71 | - | (ii) design and arrange to have sample forms available to the public 14 | |
| 72 | - | conforming to this title for each purpose for which a petition is authorized by law. 15 | |
| 68 | + | (2) WHEN PREPARING GUIDEL INES AND INSTRUCTION S FOR 11 | |
| 69 | + | COMPLIANCE WITH THE PLAIN LANGU AGE REQUIREMENT OF § 6–201(C)(2)(II) OF 12 | |
| 70 | + | THIS TITLE, THE STATE BOARD SHALL: 13 | |
| 73 | 71 | ||
| 74 | - | (2) WHEN PREPARING GUIDEL INES AND INSTRUCTION S FOR 16 | |
| 75 | - | COMPLIANCE WITH THE PLAIN LANGUAGE REQUI REMENT OF § 6–201(C)(2)(II) OF 17 | |
| 76 | - | THIS TITLE, THE STATE BOARD SHALL: 18 | |
| 72 | + | (I) CONSIDER ANY GENERAL LY ACCEPTED GUIDELIN ES 14 | |
| 73 | + | REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL PLAIN WRITING ACT OF 2010; AND 15 | |
| 77 | 74 | ||
| 78 | - | ( | |
| 79 | - | ||
| 75 | + | (II) PROHIBIT THE USE OF THE PASSIVE VOICE , LEGAL JARGON , 16 | |
| 76 | + | AND DOUBLE NEGATIVES . 17 | |
| 80 | 77 | ||
| 81 | - | ( | |
| 82 | - | ||
| 78 | + | (3) The guidelines, instructions, and forms shall be provided to the public, 18 | |
| 79 | + | on request, without charge. 19 | |
| 83 | 80 | ||
| 84 | - | (3) The guidelines, instructions, and forms shall be provided to the public, 23 | |
| 85 | - | on request, without charge. 24 | |
| 81 | + | 6–201. 20 | |
| 86 | 82 | ||
| 87 | - | ||
| 83 | + | (a) A petition shall contain: 21 | |
| 88 | 84 | ||
| 89 | - | ( | |
| 85 | + | (1) an information page; and 22 | |
| 90 | 86 | ||
| 91 | - | (1) an information page; and 27 | |
| 87 | + | (2) signature pages containing not less than the total number of signatures 23 | |
| 88 | + | required by law to be filed. 24 | |
| 92 | 89 | ||
| 93 | - | (2) signature pages containing not less than the total number of signatures 28 | |
| 94 | - | required by law to be filed. 29 | |
| 90 | + | (c) Each signature page shall contain: 25 | |
| 95 | 91 | ||
| 96 | - | (c) Each signature page shall contain: 30 SENATE BILL 615 3 | |
| 92 | + | (1) a description of the subject and purpose of the petition, conforming to 26 | |
| 93 | + | the requirements of regulations; 27 | |
| 94 | + | ||
| 95 | + | (2) if the petition seeks to place a question on the ballot[, either]: 28 | |
| 96 | + | SENATE BILL 615 3 | |
| 97 | 97 | ||
| 98 | 98 | ||
| 99 | + | (i) A BRIEF TITLE THAT D ESCRIBES THE TOPIC , GOAL, OR 1 | |
| 100 | + | OUTCOME OF THE BALLOT QUESTION ; 2 | |
| 99 | 101 | ||
| 100 | - | (1 | |
| 101 | - | the | |
| 102 | + | (II) 1. a fair and accurate summary of the substantive provisions 3 | |
| 103 | + | of the proposal WRITTEN IN PLAIN , CLEAR LANGUAGE THAT: 4 | |
| 102 | 104 | ||
| 103 | - | | |
| 105 | + | A. A VOTER CAN EASILY U NDERSTAND ; 5 | |
| 104 | 106 | ||
| 105 | - | | |
| 106 | - | ||
| 107 | + | B. DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE LEGAL MECHANISM 6 | |
| 108 | + | PROVIDING FOR TH E POLICY CHANGE ; AND 7 | |
| 107 | 109 | ||
| 108 | - | | |
| 109 | - | ||
| 110 | + | C. DOES NOT CONTAIN LEG AL JARGON OR USE DOU BLE 8 | |
| 111 | + | NEGATIVES OR THE PAS SIVE VOICE; or 9 | |
| 110 | 112 | ||
| 111 | - | | |
| 113 | + | [(ii)] 2. the full text of the proposal; AND 10 | |
| 112 | 114 | ||
| 113 | - | | |
| 114 | - | ||
| 115 | + | (III) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING WHAT THE PRACTICAL 11 | |
| 116 | + | OUTCOME OF EACH VOTING CHOICE WOULD BE; 12 | |
| 115 | 117 | ||
| 116 | - | C. DOES NOT CONTAIN LEGAL JARGON OR USE DOUBLE 11 | |
| 117 | - | NEGATIVES OR THE PAS SIVE VOICE; or 12 | |
| 118 | + | (3) a statement, to which each signer subscribes, that: 13 | |
| 118 | 119 | ||
| 119 | - | | |
| 120 | + | (i) the signer supports the purpose of that petition process; and 14 | |
| 120 | 121 | ||
| 121 | - | (III) A BRIEF STATEMENT EX PLAINING WHAT THE PR ACTICAL 14 | |
| 122 | - | OUTCOME OF EACH VOTI NG CHOICE WOULD BE ; 15 | |
| 122 | + | (ii) based on the signer’s information and belief, the signer is a 15 | |
| 123 | + | registered voter in the county specified on the page and is eligible to have his or her 16 | |
| 124 | + | signature counted; 17 | |
| 123 | 125 | ||
| 124 | - | (3) a statement, to which each signer subscribes, that: 16 | |
| 126 | + | (4) spaces for signatures and the required information relating to the 18 | |
| 127 | + | signers; 19 | |
| 125 | 128 | ||
| 126 | - | (i) the signer supports the purpose of that petition process; and 17 | |
| 129 | + | (5) a space for the name of the county in which each of the signers of that 20 | |
| 130 | + | page is a registered voter; 21 | |
| 127 | 131 | ||
| 128 | - | (ii) based on the signer’s information and belief, the signer is a 18 | |
| 129 | - | registered voter in the county specified on the page and is eligible to have his or her 19 | |
| 130 | - | signature counted; 20 | |
| 132 | + | (6) a space for the required affidavit made and executed by the circulator; 22 | |
| 133 | + | and 23 | |
| 131 | 134 | ||
| 132 | - | (4) spaces for signatures and the required information relating to the 21 | |
| 133 | - | signers; 22 | |
| 135 | + | (7) any other information required by regulation. 24 | |
| 134 | 136 | ||
| 135 | - | (5) a space for the name of the county in which each of the signers of that 23 | |
| 136 | - | page is a registered voter; 24 | |
| 137 | + | (d) If the petition seeks to place a question on the ballot and the sponsor elects to 25 | |
| 138 | + | print a summary of the proposal on each signature page as provided in subsection [(c)(2)(i)] 26 | |
| 139 | + | (C)(2)(II)1 of this section: 27 | |
| 137 | 140 | ||
| 138 | - | (6) a space for the required affidavit made and executed by the circulator; 25 | |
| 139 | - | and 26 | |
| 140 | - | ||
| 141 | - | (7) any other information required by regulation. 27 | |
| 141 | + | (1) the circulator shall have the full text of the proposal present at the time 28 | |
| 142 | + | and place that each signature is affixed to the page; and 29 | |
| 142 | 143 | 4 SENATE BILL 615 | |
| 143 | 144 | ||
| 144 | 145 | ||
| 145 | - | (d) If the petition seeks to place a question on the ballot and the sponsor elects to 1 | |
| 146 | - | print a summary of the proposal on each signature page as provided in subsection [(c)(2)(i)] 2 | |
| 147 | - | (C)(2)(II)1 of this section: 3 | |
| 146 | + | (2) the signature page shall state that the full text is available from the 1 | |
| 147 | + | circulator. 2 | |
| 148 | 148 | ||
| 149 | - | (1) the circulator shall have the full text of the proposal present at the time 4 | |
| 150 | - | and place that each signature is affixed to the page; and 5 | |
| 149 | + | 7–103. 3 | |
| 151 | 150 | ||
| 152 | - | (2) the signature page shall state that the full text is available from the 6 | |
| 153 | - | circulator. 7 | |
| 151 | + | (b) Each question shall appear on the ballot containing the following information: 4 | |
| 154 | 152 | ||
| 155 | - | 7–103. 8 | |
| 153 | + | (1) a question number or letter as determined under subsection (d) of this 5 | |
| 154 | + | section; 6 | |
| 156 | 155 | ||
| 157 | - | ( | |
| 156 | + | (2) a brief designation of the type or source of the question; 7 | |
| 158 | 157 | ||
| 159 | - | ( | |
| 160 | - | ||
| 158 | + | (3) a brief [descriptive] title in boldface type THAT DESCRIBES THE 8 | |
| 159 | + | TOPIC, GOAL, OR OUTCOME OF THE BA LLOT QUESTION ; 9 | |
| 161 | 160 | ||
| 162 | - | (2) a brief designation of the type or source of the question; 12 | |
| 161 | + | (4) a condensed statement [of the purpose of the question] DESCRIBING 10 | |
| 162 | + | THE CHANGE IN POLICY TO BE ADOPTED IN PLAIN AND CLEAR L ANGUAGE THAT : 11 | |
| 163 | 163 | ||
| 164 | - | (3) a brief [descriptive] title in boldface type THAT DESCRIBES THE 13 | |
| 165 | - | TOPIC, GOAL, OR OUTCOME OF THE BA LLOT QUESTION ; 14 | |
| 164 | + | (I) A VOTER CAN EASILY U NDERSTAND ; 12 | |
| 166 | 165 | ||
| 167 | - | ( | |
| 168 | - | THE CHANGE | |
| 166 | + | (II) DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE LEGAL MECHANISM PROVIDING 13 | |
| 167 | + | FOR THE POLICY CHANGE ; AND 14 | |
| 169 | 168 | ||
| 170 | - | (I) A VOTER CAN EASILY U NDERSTAND ; 17 | |
| 169 | + | (III) DOES NOT CONTAIN LEG AL JARGON OR USE DOU BLE 15 | |
| 170 | + | NEGATIVES OR THE PAS SIVE VOICE; [and] 16 | |
| 171 | 171 | ||
| 172 | - | (II) DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE LEGAL MECHANISM PROV IDING 18 | |
| 173 | - | FOR THE POLICY CHANG E; AND 19 | |
| 172 | + | (5) the voting choices that the voter has; AND 17 | |
| 174 | 173 | ||
| 175 | - | ( | |
| 176 | - | ||
| 174 | + | (6) A BRIEF STATEMENT EX PLAINING WHAT THE PRACTICAL 18 | |
| 175 | + | OUTCOME OF EACH VOTING CHOICE WOULD BE. 19 | |
| 177 | 176 | ||
| 178 | - | (5) the voting choices that the voter has; AND 22 | |
| 177 | + | (c) (1) [The] ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G A 20 | |
| 178 | + | GENERAL ELECTION , THE Secretary of State shall prepare and certify to the State Board[, 21 | |
| 179 | + | not later than the 95th day before the general election,] the information required under 22 | |
| 180 | + | subsection (b) of this section, for all statewide ballot questions and all questions relating to 23 | |
| 181 | + | an enactment of the General Assembly which is petitioned to referendum. 24 | |
| 179 | 182 | ||
| 180 | - | (6) A BRIEF STATEMENT EX PLAINING WHAT THE PR ACTICAL 23 | |
| 181 | - | OUTCOME OF EACH VOTI NG CHOICE WOULD BE . 24 | |
| 183 | + | (2) [The] ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G A 25 | |
| 184 | + | GENERAL ELECTION , THE State Board shall prepare and certify to the appropriate local 26 | |
| 185 | + | board[, not later than the 105th day before the general election,] the information required 27 | |
| 186 | + | under subsection (b) of this section for all questions that have been referred to the voters of 28 | |
| 187 | + | one county or part of one county pursuant to an enactment of the General Assembly. 29 | |
| 182 | 188 | ||
| 183 | - | (c) (1) [The] ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G A 25 | |
| 184 | - | GENERAL ELECTION , THE Secretary of State shall prepare and certify to the State Board[, 26 | |
| 185 | - | not later than the 95th day before the general election,] the information required under 27 | |
| 186 | - | subsection (b) of this section, for all statewide ballot questions and all questions relating to 28 | |
| 187 | - | an enactment of the General Assembly which is petitioned to referendum. 29 | |
| 188 | - | SENATE BILL 615 5 | |
| 189 | + | (3) (i) [The] ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G A 30 | |
| 190 | + | GENERAL ELECTION , THE county attorney of the appropriate county shall prepare and 31 SENATE BILL 615 5 | |
| 189 | 191 | ||
| 190 | 192 | ||
| 191 | - | (2) [The] ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G A 1 | |
| 192 | - | GENERAL ELECTION , THE State Board shall prepare and certify to the appropriate local 2 | |
| 193 | - | board[, not later than the 105th day before the general election,] the information required 3 | |
| 194 | - | under subsection (b) of this section for all questions that have been referred to the voters of 4 | |
| 195 | - | one county or part of one county pursuant to an enactment of the General Assembly. 5 | |
| 193 | + | certify to the State Board[, not later than the 95th day before the general election,] the 1 | |
| 194 | + | information required under subsection (b) of this section for each question to be voted on in 2 | |
| 195 | + | a single county or part of a county, except a question covered by paragraph (1) or paragraph 3 | |
| 196 | + | (2) of this subsection. 4 | |
| 196 | 197 | ||
| 197 | - | (3) (i) [The] ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G A 6 | |
| 198 | - | GENERAL ELECTION , THE county attorney of the appropriate county shall prepare and 7 | |
| 199 | - | certify to the State Board[, not later than the 95th day before the general election,] the 8 | |
| 200 | - | information required under subsection (b) of this section for each question to be voted on in 9 | |
| 201 | - | a single county or part of a county, except a question covered by paragraph (1) or paragraph 10 | |
| 202 | - | (2) of this subsection. 11 | |
| 198 | + | (ii) If the information required under subsection (b) of this section 5 | |
| 199 | + | has not been timely certified under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the clerk of the 6 | |
| 200 | + | circuit court for the jurisdiction shall prepare and certify that information to the State 7 | |
| 201 | + | Board not later than the first Friday in August. 8 | |
| 203 | 202 | ||
| 204 | - | (ii) If the information required under subsection (b) of this section 12 | |
| 205 | - | has not been timely certified under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the clerk of the 13 | |
| 206 | - | circuit court for the jurisdiction shall prepare and certify that information to the State 14 | |
| 207 | - | Board not later than the first Friday in August. 15 | |
| 203 | + | (4) (i) [The] ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G A 9 | |
| 204 | + | GENERAL ELECTION , THE municipal attorney of the appropriate municipal corporation 10 | |
| 205 | + | shall prepare and certify to the State Board[, not later than the 95th day before the general 11 | |
| 206 | + | election,] the information required under subsection (b) of this section for each question to 12 | |
| 207 | + | be voted on in the municipal corporation, except a question covered by paragraphs (1) 13 | |
| 208 | + | through (3) of this subsection. 14 | |
| 208 | 209 | ||
| 209 | - | (4) (i) [The] ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G A 16 | |
| 210 | - | GENERAL ELECTION , THE municipal attorney of the appropriate municipal corporation 17 | |
| 211 | - | shall prepare and certify to the State Board[, not later than the 95th day before the general 18 | |
| 212 | - | election,] the information required under subsection (b) of this section for each question to 19 | |
| 213 | - | be voted on in the municipal corporation, except a question covered by paragraphs (1) 20 | |
| 214 | - | through (3) of this subsection. 21 | |
| 210 | + | (ii) If the information required under subsection (b) of this section 15 | |
| 211 | + | has not been timely certified under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the clerk of the 16 | |
| 212 | + | circuit court for the county in which the municipal corporation is located shall prepare and 17 | |
| 213 | + | certify that information to the State Board not later than the first Friday in August. 18 | |
| 215 | 214 | ||
| 216 | - | (ii) If the information required under subsection (b) of this section 22 | |
| 217 | - | has not been timely certified under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the clerk of the 23 | |
| 218 | - | circuit court for the county in which the municipal corporation is located shall prepare and 24 | |
| 219 | - | certify that information to the State Board not later than the first Friday in August. 25 | |
| 215 | + | (5) THE STATE BOARD SHALL MAKE THE INFORMATION SUBMITTED 19 | |
| 216 | + | IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HIS SUBSECTION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR A 15–DAY 20 | |
| 217 | + | COMMENT PERIOD . 21 | |
| 220 | 218 | ||
| 221 | - | ( | |
| 222 | - | ||
| 223 | - | ||
| 219 | + | (6) The information required under subsection (b) of this section for a 22 | |
| 220 | + | question that is being placed on the ballot by petition may be prepared before the petition 23 | |
| 221 | + | is certified under § 6–208 of this article. 24 | |
| 224 | 222 | ||
| 225 | - | (II) ON OR BEFORE THE FOUR TH DAY IMMEDIATELY 29 | |
| 226 | - | FOLLOWING THE END OF THE COMMENT PERIOD R EQUIRED UNDER SUBPAR AGRAPH 30 | |
| 227 | - | (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE PERSON REQUIRED TO PREPARE A QUESTIO N UNDER 31 | |
| 228 | - | PARAGRAPH (1), (2), (3), OR (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL: 32 | |
| 223 | + | (E) THIS SECTION MAY NOT B E CONSTRUED TO PROHI BIT THE USE OF 25 | |
| 224 | + | LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED BALLOT QUES TION LANGUAGE . 26 | |
| 229 | 225 | ||
| 230 | - | 1. REVIEW THE COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING THE 33 | |
| 231 | - | COMMENT PERIOD AND M AKE ANY NECESSARY CH ANGES TO THE QUESTIO N; AND 34 | |
| 226 | + | 7–105. 27 | |
| 232 | 227 | ||
| 233 | - | 2. SUBMIT THE CERTIFIED PLAIN TEXT OF THE 35 | |
| 234 | - | QUESTION TO THE STATE BOARD FOR PUBLICATION ON IT S WEBSITE UNDER § 9–207 36 | |
| 235 | - | OF THIS ARTICLE. 37 6 SENATE BILL 615 | |
| 228 | + | (a) A local board shall provide notice of each question to be submitted statewide 28 | |
| 229 | + | and each question to be submitted to the voters of the county, by: 29 | |
| 230 | + | ||
| 231 | + | (1) specimen ballot mailed at least 1 week before any early voting period 30 | |
| 232 | + | before the general election; or 31 | |
| 233 | + | ||
| 234 | + | (2) publication or dissemination by mass communication during the 3 32 | |
| 235 | + | weeks immediately preceding the general election at which a question will appear on the 33 | |
| 236 | + | ballot. 34 | |
| 237 | + | ||
| 238 | + | (b) (1) For any question submitted under Article XIV or Article XVI of the 35 6 SENATE BILL 615 | |
| 236 | 239 | ||
| 237 | 240 | ||
| 241 | + | Maryland Constitution, the notice required by subsection (a) of this section shall contain 1 | |
| 242 | + | the information specified in § 7–103(b) of this title and a brief statement, prepared in clear 2 | |
| 243 | + | and concise language, devoid of technical and legal terms to the extent practicable, 3 | |
| 244 | + | summarizing the question. 4 | |
| 238 | 245 | ||
| 239 | - | (6) The information required under subsection (b) of this section for a 1 | |
| 240 | - | question that is being placed on the ballot by petition may be prepared before the petition 2 | |
| 241 | - | is certified under § 6–208 of this article. 3 | |
| 246 | + | (2) The statement required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be: 5 | |
| 242 | 247 | ||
| 243 | - | (E) THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO PROH IBIT THE USE OF 4 | |
| 244 | - | LEGISLATIVELY MANDAT ED BALLOT QUESTION L ANGUAGE. 5 | |
| 248 | + | (i) prepared by the Department of Legislative Services; 6 | |
| 245 | 249 | ||
| 246 | - | 7 | |
| 250 | + | (ii) approved by the Attorney General; and 7 | |
| 247 | 251 | ||
| 248 | - | (a) A local board shall provide notice of each question to be submitted statewide 7 | |
| 249 | - | and each question to be submitted to the voters of the county, by: 8 | |
| 252 | + | (iii) submitted to the State Board by the first Monday in August. 8 | |
| 250 | 253 | ||
| 251 | - | (1) | |
| 252 | - | ||
| 254 | + | (3) The statement required under paragraph (1) of this subsection is 9 | |
| 255 | + | sufficient if it is: 10 | |
| 253 | 256 | ||
| 254 | - | (2) publication or dissemination by mass communication during the 3 11 | |
| 255 | - | weeks immediately preceding the general election at which a question will appear on the 12 | |
| 256 | - | ballot. 13 | |
| 257 | + | (i) contained in an enactment by the General Assembly, and the 11 | |
| 258 | + | enactment clearly specifies that the statement is to be used on the ballot; or 12 | |
| 257 | 259 | ||
| 258 | - | (b) (1) For any question submitted under Article XIV or Article XVI of the 14 | |
| 259 | - | Maryland Constitution, the notice required by subsection (a) of this section shall contain 15 | |
| 260 | - | the information specified in § 7–103(b) of this title and a brief statement, prepared in clear 16 | |
| 261 | - | and concise language, devoid of technical and legal terms to the extent practicable, 17 | |
| 262 | - | summarizing the question. 18 | |
| 260 | + | (ii) consistent with some other process mandated by the Maryland 13 | |
| 261 | + | Constitution. 14 | |
| 263 | 262 | ||
| 264 | - | (2) The statement required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be: 19 | |
| 263 | + | (c) The State Board shall adopt regulations governing notice of questions to 15 | |
| 264 | + | appear on the ballot, including the use and content of specimen ballots and the publication 16 | |
| 265 | + | or dissemination of notice by mass communication. 17 | |
| 265 | 266 | ||
| 266 | - | (i) prepared by the Department of Legislative Services; 20 | |
| 267 | + | (d) (1) The complete text of a question shall be posted or available for public 18 | |
| 268 | + | inspection in the office of the State Board and each applicable local board for 65 days prior 19 | |
| 269 | + | to the general election. 20 | |
| 267 | 270 | ||
| 268 | - | (ii) approved by the Attorney General; and 21 | |
| 271 | + | (2) Copies of the complete text of all statewide questions shall be furnished 21 | |
| 272 | + | by the State Board to the local boards in quantities as determined by the State Board, 22 | |
| 273 | + | including quantities sufficient to provide one copy of each for posting in each polling place 23 | |
| 274 | + | and in each local board office. 24 | |
| 269 | 275 | ||
| 270 | - | (iii) submitted to the State Board by the first Monday in August. 22 | |
| 276 | + | (3) An individual may receive without charge a copy of the complete text of 25 | |
| 277 | + | all constitutional amendments and questions from a local board, either in person, by mail, 26 | |
| 278 | + | or electronically. 27 | |
| 271 | 279 | ||
| 272 | - | (3) The statement required under paragraph (1) of this subsection is 23 | |
| 273 | - | sufficient if it is: 24 | |
| 280 | + | (E) THE STATE BOARD AND EACH APPLIC ABLE LOCAL BOARD SHA LL POST 28 | |
| 281 | + | IN A MANNER WIDELY A CCESSIBLE TO THE PUB LIC FOR AT LEAST 65 DAYS BEFORE 29 | |
| 282 | + | THE GENERAL ELECTION : 30 | |
| 274 | 283 | ||
| 275 | - | (i) contained in an enactment by the General Assembly, and the 25 | |
| 276 | - | enactment clearly specifies that the statement is to be used on the ballot; or 26 | |
| 284 | + | (1) THE COMPLETE TEXT OF : 31 | |
| 277 | 285 | ||
| 278 | - | (ii) consistent with some other process mandated by the Maryland 27 | |
| 279 | - | Constitution. 28 | |
| 280 | - | ||
| 281 | - | (c) The State Board shall adopt regulations governing notice of questions to 29 | |
| 282 | - | appear on the ballot, including the use and content of specimen ballots and the publication 30 | |
| 283 | - | or dissemination of notice by mass communication. 31 | |
| 284 | - | SENATE BILL 615 7 | |
| 286 | + | (I) FOR A QUESTION RELAT ING TO THE CREATION OR 32 SENATE BILL 615 7 | |
| 285 | 287 | ||
| 286 | 288 | ||
| 287 | - | (d) (1) The complete text of a question shall be posted or available for public 1 | |
| 288 | - | inspection in the office of the State Board and each applicable local board for 65 days prior 2 | |
| 289 | - | to the general election. 3 | |
| 289 | + | ADOPTION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION, THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION; 1 | |
| 290 | 290 | ||
| 291 | - | (2) Copies of the complete text of all statewide questions shall be furnished 4 | |
| 292 | - | by the State Board to the local boards in quantities as determined by the State Board, 5 | |
| 293 | - | including quantities sufficient to provide one copy of each for posting in each polling place 6 | |
| 294 | - | and in each local board office. 7 | |
| 291 | + | (II) FOR AN AMENDMENT UNDER ARTICLE XIV OF THE 2 | |
| 292 | + | MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, THE PROPOSED AMENDME NT TO THE MARYLAND 3 | |
| 293 | + | CONSTITUTION; 4 | |
| 295 | 294 | ||
| 296 | - | ( | |
| 297 | - | ||
| 298 | - | ||
| 295 | + | (III) FOR AN ENACTMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 5 | |
| 296 | + | REFERRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XVI OF THE MARYLAND 6 | |
| 297 | + | CONSTITUTION, THE ENACTMENT ; 7 | |
| 299 | 298 | ||
| 300 | - | (E) THE STATE BOARD AND EACH APPLIC ABLE LOCAL BOARD SHA LL POST 11 | |
| 301 | - | IN A MANNER WIDELY A CCESSIBLE TO THE PUB LIC FOR AT LEAST 65 90 DAYS 12 | |
| 302 | - | BEFORE THE GENERAL EL ECTION: 13 | |
| 299 | + | (IV) FOR A PROPOSED COUNT Y CHARTER OR AMENDME NT TO A 8 | |
| 300 | + | COUNTY CHARTER UNDER ARTICLE XI–A OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION: 9 | |
| 303 | 301 | ||
| 304 | - | | |
| 302 | + | 1. THE PROPOSED CHARTER ; OR 10 | |
| 305 | 303 | ||
| 306 | - | (I) FOR A QUESTION RELAT ING TO THE CREATION OR 15 | |
| 307 | - | ADOPTION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION, THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION; 16 | |
| 304 | + | 2. THE PROPOSED AMENDME NT TO A COUNTY CHART ER; 11 | |
| 308 | 305 | ||
| 309 | - | (II) FOR AN AMENDMENT UND ER ARTICLE XIV OF THE 17 | |
| 310 | - | MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE MARYLAND 18 | |
| 311 | - | CONSTITUTION; 19 | |
| 306 | + | (V) FOR AN ENACTMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 12 | |
| 307 | + | REFERRING A QUESTION TO THE VOTERS , THE ENACTMENT ; AND 13 | |
| 312 | 308 | ||
| 313 | - | (III) FOR AN ENACTMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 20 | |
| 314 | - | REFERRED IN ACCORDAN CE WITH ARTICLE XVI OF THE MARYLAND 21 | |
| 315 | - | CONSTITUTION, THE ENACTMENT ; 22 | |
| 309 | + | (VI) FOR A CHARTER COUNTY ENACTMENT IN ACCORDANCE 14 | |
| 310 | + | WITH § 9–205 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OR A CODE COU NTY 15 | |
| 311 | + | ENACTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH §§ 9–310 THROUGH 9–313 OF THE LOCAL 16 | |
| 312 | + | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE PROPOSED ENACTME NT; AND 17 | |
| 316 | 313 | ||
| 317 | - | (IV) FOR A PROPOSED COUNT Y CHARTER OR AMENDME NT TO A 23 | |
| 318 | - | COUNTY CHARTER UNDER ARTICLE XI–A OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION: 24 | |
| 314 | + | (2) FOR EACH QUESTION POS TED UNDER ITEM (1)(II), (III), (IV), (V), 18 | |
| 315 | + | OR (VI) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A LINK TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR COUNTY 19 | |
| 316 | + | WEBPAGE FOR THE APPLICABLE LEGISLATION. 20 | |
| 319 | 317 | ||
| 320 | - | 1. THE PROPOSED CHARTER ; OR 25 | |
| 321 | - | ||
| 322 | - | 2. THE PROPOSED AMENDME NT TO A COUNTY CHART ER; 26 | |
| 323 | - | ||
| 324 | - | (V) FOR AN ENACTMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 27 | |
| 325 | - | REFERRING A QUESTION TO THE VOTERS , THE ENACTMENT ; AND 28 | |
| 326 | - | ||
| 327 | - | (VI) FOR A CHARTER COU NTY ENACTMENT IN ACC ORDANCE 29 | |
| 328 | - | WITH § 9–205 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OR A CODE COU NTY 30 | |
| 329 | - | ENACTMENT IN ACCORDA NCE WITH §§ 9–310 THROUGH 9–313 OF THE LOCAL 31 | |
| 330 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE PROPOSED ENACTME NT; AND 32 | |
| 331 | - | 8 SENATE BILL 615 | |
| 332 | - | ||
| 333 | - | ||
| 334 | - | (2) FOR EACH QUESTION PO STED UNDER ITEM (1)(II), (III), (IV), (V), 1 | |
| 335 | - | OR (VI) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A LINK TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR COUNTY 2 | |
| 336 | - | WEBPAGE FOR THE APPL ICABLE LEGISLATION . 3 | |
| 337 | - | ||
| 338 | - | 9–207. 4 | |
| 339 | - | ||
| 340 | - | (a) The State Board shall certify and publicly display the content and 5 | |
| 341 | - | arrangement of each ballot: 6 | |
| 342 | - | ||
| 343 | - | (1) for a primary election, at least 64 days before the election; 7 | |
| 344 | - | ||
| 345 | - | (2) for a general election, at least 64 days before the election; 8 | |
| 346 | - | ||
| 347 | - | (3) for a special primary election, at least 55 days before the election; and 9 | |
| 348 | - | ||
| 349 | - | (4) for a special general election, not later than a date specified in the 10 | |
| 350 | - | Governor’s proclamation. 11 | |
| 351 | - | ||
| 352 | - | (b) The Supreme Court of Maryland, on petition of the State Board, may establish 12 | |
| 353 | - | a later date in extraordinary circumstances. 13 | |
| 354 | - | ||
| 355 | - | (c) The State Board shall publicly display the content and arrangement of each 14 | |
| 356 | - | certified ballot on its website. 15 | |
| 357 | - | ||
| 358 | - | (d) Except pursuant to a court order under § 9–209 of this subtitle, or as provided 16 | |
| 359 | - | in § 9–208 of this subtitle, the content and arrangement of the ballot may not be modified 17 | |
| 360 | - | after the second day of the public display. 18 | |
| 361 | - | ||
| 362 | - | (e) Unless a delay is required by court order, the State Board may begin to print 19 | |
| 363 | - | the ballots after certification and 3 days of public display and correct any noted errors. 20 | |
| 364 | - | ||
| 365 | - | (F) THE CERTIFICATION OF A BALLOT UNDER THIS SECTION THAT 21 | |
| 366 | - | INCLUDES A QUESTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE A CERTIFICATION O F THE 22 | |
| 367 | - | BALLOT LANGUAGE REQU IRED TO BE INCLUDED ON THE BALLOT UNDER § 7–103 OF 23 | |
| 368 | - | THIS ARTICLE , INCLUDING THE PLAIN LANGUAGE CONDENSED S TATEMENT 24 | |
| 369 | - | REQUIRED UNDER § 7–103(B)(4) OF THIS ARTICLE. 25 | |
| 370 | - | ||
| 371 | - | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTH ER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 26 | |
| 372 | - | October 1, 2025. 27 | |
| 373 | - | ||
| 374 | - | ||
| 318 | + | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21 | |
| 319 | + | October 1, 2025. 22 | |
| 375 | 320 |