(a) Except as provided under Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article, during any regularly scheduled primary or general election a voter may vote:
(1) in the voter's assigned precinct on election day; or
(2) at an early voting center in the voter's county of residence on any early voting day in accordance with this section.
Number of early voting centers required in county
(b)(1) Each county shall have at least one early voting center established in the county as prescribed in this subsection.
(2) A county with fewer than 50,000 registered voters shall have one early voting center established in the county.
(3) A county with at least 50,000 registered voters but fewer than 100,000 registered voters shall have two early voting centers established in the county.
(4) A county with at least 100,000 registered voters but fewer than 200,000 registered voters shall have three early voting centers established in the county.
(5) A county with at least 200,000 registered voters but fewer than 300,000 registered voters shall have five early voting centers established in the county.
(6) A county with at least 300,000 registered voters but fewer than 400,000 registered voters shall have seven early voting centers established in the county.
(7) A county with at least 400,000 registered voters but fewer than 500,000 registered voters shall have nine early voting centers established in the county.
(8) A county with at least 500,000 registered voters but fewer than 600,000 registered voters shall have 11 early voting centers established in the county.
(9) A county with at least 600,000 registered voters shall have 13 early voting centers established in the county.
(10) In addition to the early voting centers required in this subsection, each county may establish one additional early voting center if:
(i) first, the local board and the governing body of the county agree to establish an additional early voting center; and
(ii) then, the State Board approves the establishment of the additional early voting center.
Designation of early voting centers; factors considered when determining location of early voting centers
(c)(1) No later than 6 months before a primary election, the local board in each county shall, subject to the approval of the State Board, designate each early voting center in that county.
(2) A local board shall take into account the following factors when determining the location of an early voting center:
(i) accessibility of the early voting center to historically disenfranchised communities, including cultural groups, ethnic groups, and minority groups;
(ii) proximity of the early voting center to dense concentrations of voters;
(iii) accessibility of the early voting center by public transportation;
(iv) ensuring equitable distribution of early voting centers throughout the county; and
(v) maximizing voter participation, including through the use of community centers and public gathering places as locations for early voting centers.
Operating times for early voting centers
(d) Each early voting center shall be open for voting as follows:
(1) beginning the second Thursday before a primary or general election through the Thursday before the election; and
(2) during the hours between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. each early voting day.
Requirements of § 10-101
(e) Each early voting center shall satisfy the requirements of § 10-101 of this title.
Information about early voting
(f) Beginning 30 days prior to each early voting period the State Board and each local board shall undertake steps to inform the public about early voting and the location of early voting centers in each county, including:
(1) a series of public service media announcements;
(2) mailings to all registered voters in each county; and
(3) other measures as appropriate.
Construction with other voting provisions
(g) Except as expressly provided in this section, any provision of this article that applies to voting on election day also applies to early voting.
Regulations and guidelines
(h) The State Board shall adopt regulations and guidelines in accordance with the requirements of this section for the conduct of early voting.
Credits
Added by Acts 2009, c. 445, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2009. Amended by Acts 2009, c. 60, § 5, eff. April 14, 2009; Acts 2013, c. 157, § 3, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2013, c. 158, § 3, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2016, c. 7, § 1, eff. March 14, 2016; Acts 2016, c. 288, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2019, c. 539, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2021, c. 43, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021; Acts 2021, c. 659, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021; Acts 2021, c. 660, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021.
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
