§ 9-503. Voting centers

   (a) Establishment. -- Each local board shall establish at least one voting center for the use of any eligible voter who chooses to cast a ballot in person in a special election in accordance with this section.

(b) Number and location of voting centers. --

   (1) A voting center shall be located at a local board office or another location within the constituency where the special election is being held.

   (2) In Montgomery County:

      (i) in a special election held in a single county council district, at least one voting center shall be established in the county council district where the special election is being held; and

      (ii) in a countywide special election, at least one voting center shall be established in each county council district.

(c) Requirements. -- A voting center established under this section shall:

   (1) provide access to a voting system that is accessible to voters with disabilities in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and the federal Help America Vote Act;

   (2) provide for provisional voting in accordance with Subtitle 4 of this title;

   (3) satisfy the requirements of § 10-101 of this article; and

   (4) (i) unless otherwise specified in the proclamation issued by the Governor that directs that the special election be conducted by mail, and except as provided in item (ii) of this item, be open for voting each day beginning 6 days before the day of a special election through the day of a special election during the hours between:

         1. 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and

         2. 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday; and

      (ii) in Montgomery County, be open for voting during the days and for the hours that the county council directs in the resolution under § 9-501(d)(2) of this subtitle.

(d) Change in voting centers. -- If necessary to expedite the conduct of a special election and subject to the approval of the State Board, a local board may establish a voting center under this section during a period when a change in polling places is prohibited under § 2-303 of this article.

(e) Absentee ballot. -- The process for applying in person for an absentee ballot at the office of a local board under § 9-305(c) of this title does not apply to a special election conducted by mail.

(f) Applicability of provision of voting at polling place. -- Except as otherwise provided in this section, any provision of this article that applies to voting at a polling place on election day also applies to voting at a voting center established under this section.

HISTORY: 2012, ch. 66, § 6; ch. 677; 2013, chs. 197, 198.