§ 6-205. Filing of petitions

   (a) In general. --

   (1) Unless otherwise required by the Maryland Constitution, a petition shall be filed, in person by or on behalf of the sponsor, in the office of the appropriate election authority.

   (2) If the Maryland Constitution provides that a petition shall be filed with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall deliver the petition to the State Board within 24 hours.

   (3) If the Maryland Constitution provides that a petition shall be filed with an official or governmental body of a county, the official or governmental body, after determining that the petition is in conformance with the requirements of law, shall dispatch the petition to the local board for that county within 24 hours.

   (4) A petition forwarded under paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection shall be processed under this subtitle as if it had been filed with the election authority.

(b) Regulations. -- The regulations adopted by the State Board may provide that the signature pages of a petition required to be filed with the State Board be delivered by the sponsor, or an individual authorized by the sponsor, to the appropriate local board or boards for verification and counting of signatures.

(c) Acceptance of petition. -- A petition may not be accepted for filing unless the information page indicates that the petition satisfies any requirements established by law for the time of filing and for the number and geographic distribution of signatures.

(d) Additional signatures. -- Subsequent to the filing of a petition under this subtitle, but prior to the deadline for filing the petition, additional signatures may be added to the petition by filing an amended information page and additional signature pages conforming to the requirements of this subtitle.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 33, § 6-205; 2002, ch. 291, § 2, 4.