(1) “Applicant” means a judicial appointee who has applied for appointment by the Governor to a judicial office.

(2) A judicial appointee becomes an applicant when the judicial appointee files an application with a judicial nominating commission and remains an applicant until the Governor makes an appointment to that judicial office unless, prior to that time, the judicial appointee formally withdraws the application.

(3) If the judicial appointee is not appointed but, pursuant to an Executive Order of the Governor or other law, remains eligible for appointment to another judicial office without a further application to or recommendation from the judicial nominating commission, the judicial appointee remains an applicant until the Governor makes an appointment to that other judicial office, unless, prior to that time, the judicial appointee formally withdraws the application.

Cross reference: Executive Order 01.01.2015.09.

(1) “Candidate for election” means a judicial appointee who seeks initial election to a circuit cl;ourt¹ or an Orphans' Court.

(2) A judicial appointee becomes a candidate for election on the date on which the judicial appointee files a certificate of candidacy in accordance with Maryland election laws, but no earlier than two years prior to the general election for that office.

(3) A judicial appointee who becomes a candidate for election under section (c) of this Rule remains a candidate for election until the general election for the office unless, prior to that time, the judicial appointee files a formal withdrawal of candidacy in accordance with Maryland election laws.