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§ 5-303. Time for filing certificates of candidacy

West's Annotated Code of MarylandElection LawEffective: January 1, 2021

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Election Law (Refs & Annos)
Title 5. Candidates
Subtitle 3. Certificate of Candidacy (Refs & Annos)
Effective: January 1, 2021
MD Code, Election Law, § 5-303
Formerly cited as MD CODE Art. 33, § 5-303
§ 5-303. Time for filing certificates of candidacy
Currentness
In general
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section:
(1) in the year in which the Governor is elected, a certificate of candidacy shall be filed not later than 9 p.m. on the last Tuesday in February in the year in which the primary election will be held; and
(2) for any other regularly scheduled election, a certificate of candidacy shall be filed not later than 9 p.m. on the 95th day before the day on which the primary election will be held.
Special elections
(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a certificate of candidacy for an office to be filled by a special election under this article shall be received and filed in the office of the appropriate board not later than 5 p.m. on the first Monday that is 3 weeks or 21 days after the issuance of the proclamation by the Governor for the special primary election.
Write-in candidates
(c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the certificate of candidacy for the election of a write-in candidate shall be filed by the earlier of:
(1) 7 days after a total expenditure of at least $51 is made to promote the candidacy by a campaign finance entity of the candidate; or
(2) 5 p.m. on the 7th day preceding the start of early voting for which the certificate is filed.
Special election of a write-in candidate
(d) The certificate of candidacy for a special election of a write-in candidate shall be filed by the earlier of:
(1) 7 days after a total expenditure of at least $51 is made to promote the candidacy by any authorized candidate campaign committee of the candidate; or
(2) 5 p.m. on the 7th day preceding the start of voting at a precinct polling place or, if the election is being conducted by mail, the voting center established under § 9-503 of this article for which the certificate is filed.

Credits

Added as Art. 33, § 5-303, by Acts 1998, c. 585, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999. Transferred to Election Law § 5-303 by Acts 2002, c. 291, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2002, c. 291, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2003; Acts 2007, c. 219, § 1, eff. July 1, 2007; Acts 2008, c. 118, § 1, eff. April 17, 2008; Acts 2011, c. 169, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2011; Acts 2013, c. 419, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2014, c. 261, § 2, eff. Nov. 4, 2014; Acts 2015, c. 332, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2015; Acts 2019, c. 770, § 1, eff. June 1, 2019; Acts 2020, c. 10, § 1, eff. Feb. 3, 2020; Acts 2020, c. 552, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2021.
Formerly Art. 33, § 5-303.
MD Code, Election Law, § 5-303, MD ELEC LAW § 5-303
Current through legislation effective through April 25, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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