STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS


The State Board of Elections was created in 1969 as the State Administrative Board of Election Laws (Chapter 555, Acts of 1969). It adopted its present name January 1, 1999 (Chapter 585, Acts of 1998).

The conduct of voter registration and elections in Maryland is supervised by the Board, which adopts rules and regulations to help the boards of elections in each county and Baltimore City with elections, voting, and voter registration. The Board also reviews, approves, certifies, and decertifies voting systems and adopts regulations relating to them. To regulate the financing of campaigns for State and county offices, the Board administers the Fair Election Practices Act (Code 1957, Art. 33, secs. 26-1 through 26-21). In addition, the Board prepares and certifies ballots, administers petitions, and publishes Constitutional amendments.

In odd-numbered years, the Board meets with the boards of elections from the counties and Baltimore City to instruct them, their employees, and counsel on their duties in the conduct of elections. The Board also administers the voter registration-by-mail program.

Registration and Election Laws of Maryland, which is for sale to the public, is published by the Board. Also available are primary and general election returns beginning with 1948. More recent returns are published as booklets.

The Board consists of five members appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Each member must belong to a principal political party with neither party having more than three or less than two members.

The State Administrator of Elections receives and audits financial reports of candidates required under the Election Code (Code 1957, Art. 33, secs. 13-401 through 13-404). Appointed by the Board, the State Administrator also serves as secretary to the Board of State Canvassers (Code 1957, Art. 33, secs. 2-101 through 2-106, 11-501 through 11-503).

Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance


Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us

 Maryland Manual On-Line, 2001

April 1, 2001   
Note: In this past edition of Maryland Manual, some links are to external sites.  View the current Manual


[ Archives' Home Page  ||  All About Maryland  ||  Maryland Manual On-Line  ||  Reference & Research
||  Search the Archives   ||  Education & Outreach  ||  Archives of Maryland Online ]

Governor     General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland.Gov

© Copyright April 10, 2001 Maryland State Archives