State Summary
Under Md. Code, Elec. Law § 11-309, following each statewide general election (and optionally after statewide primary elections), the State Board of Elections conducts a manual audit of at least 2% of precincts, plus at least 1% of each of the following: early votes, absentee votes, and provisional votes. The State Board also conducts an “automated software audit” of ballot images after each statewide primary and general election. However, the manual audit may be completed up to 120 days after the election, and the audits cannot affect the certified results.
Unless otherwise specified, statutory references are to Md. Code, Elec. Law § 11-309.
Voting Systems Used
Maryland uses hand-marked paper ballots and optical scanners in polling places statewide, with ballot marking devices for accessibility. For the most current information please visit Verified Voting’s Verifier.
For an explanation on the types of voting equipment used, click here.
Audit Comprehensiveness
The manual audit includes Election Day votes from at least 2% of precincts statewide, including one randomly chosen precinct in each county, and at least 1% of the statewide total of early votes, absentee votes, and provisional votes in the previous comparable election.
Transparency
The statute states that the State Board “shall allow for public observation of each part of the manual audit process to the extent practicable.” Md. Code, Elec. Law § 11-309(d)(5). It does not specify whether random selection is considered part of the manual audit process. It also requires a detailed report on the manual audit within 14 days of its conclusion.
Audit Counting Method
Statute specifies that in the manual audit the voter-verifiable paper records are inspected “by hand and eye to obtain vote totals in a contest that are compared to the vote totals produced for that contest by the electronic voting system.” Md. Code, Elec. Law § 11-309(a)(2). Md. Code Regs. 33.08.05.09 provides additional details on the counting method used in the audit.
Type Of Audit Units
For (regular) Election Day ballots, statute specifies that the audit units are the entire precincts. For early, absentee, and provisional ballots, the statute does not specify the audit units.
Contests & Issues Audited
The statute does not specify what contests are audited. Md. Code Regs. 33.08.05.09.C(2) notes that the State Board selects the contest to be manually audited after general elections. A local board is required to conduct a manual audit if the automated audit following a primary election reveals a discrepancy in any precinct of more than 0.5% that cannot be resolved or explained. Md. Code Regs. 33.08.05.09.B(1).
Addressing Discrepancies
If a discrepancy is discovered by the manual audit the state board may expand the audit, or take any other actions necessary to resolve the discrepancy.
For recount laws, see the Recount Law Database.
Timeline
The manual audit must be completed by 120 days after the election.
Binding On Official Outcomes
The tabulation audit does not have any effect on certified results, but “shall be used to improve the voting system and process for future elections.” Md. Code, Elec. Law § 11-309(e)(2).
Oversight & Conduct
The State Board establishes overall audit procedures for the manual audit and selects the precincts and contest to be audited, and the local boards conduct the manual audit. Md. Code Regs. 33.08.05.09. The state administrator conducts the automated audit. Md. Code Regs. 33.08.05.10.
Ballot Protection
The person designated to maintain custody of the documents and records required under this title shall maintain and secure those items in accordance with the regulations adopted by the State Board. Md. Code, Elec. Law § 11-306. See also Md. Code Regs. 33.10.01.29, “System Security.”
Additional Targeted Samples
The statute does not provide for targeted samples, except through the discretion granted to the State Board to address audit discrepancies.
Resources
Md. Code, Elec. Law § 11-309 and Md. Code Regs. 33.08.05.09: Audit provisions
Md. Code, Elec. Law § 11-306 and Md. Code Regs. 33.10.01.29: Ballot protection