Words and phrases defined. As used in this chapter, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABSENTEE BALLOT/MAIL-IN BALLOT
A ballot not used in a polling place that is completed and
mailed, in advance of an election day by a voter.
[Amended 5-3-2021 by Ord. No. 802-21]
BALLOT MARKING DEVICE (BMD)
Voters use a touch screen to mark their vote selections,
receiving a verifiable paper ballot upon completion. This device does
not tabulate the voter's vote. The ballot which is printed is then
put into the ballot scanning unit for tabulation.
BALLOT or OFFICIAL BALLOT
A ballot is the means used to list choices and cast votes
in an election. This includes the paper ballot, or ballot activation
card for use in the accessible voting unit, as well as the provisional
ballot and the absentee ballot. "Ballot" or "official ballot" does
not include a sample ballot or a specimen ballot.
BALLOT SCANNING UNIT
The station at the polling place where each voter casts a
ballot and where a device tabulates the voter's paper ballot or ballot
activation card.
BOARD
The Board of Election Judges, as that term is defined in
Article V, Section 503 of the Charter of the Town of Bel Air.
CANDIDATE
Any qualified voter who files written notice, in the form
of a certificate of candidacy, of his or her intention to run for
the elected office of Commissioner of Bel Air.
CANVASS
Refers to the entire process of vote tallying, vote tabulation,
and vote verification or audit, culminating in the production and
certification of the official results of an election. For absentee
ballots, the "canvass" includes the opening of any envelope accompanying
an absentee ballot and the assembly and review of absentee ballots
in preparation for vote tallying. For provisional ballots, the "canvass"
includes the review of the provisional ballot applications and the
assembly and review of provisional ballots in preparation for vote
tallying.
ELECTION
The process by which the voters of the Town vote for any
candidate pursuant to the laws of the Town or for or against any Charter
provisions of the Town or other public act or question pursuant to
procedures provided by state statute or by the Town Charter, and shall
include all elections, general or special, conducted by the Town.
ELECTRONIC STORAGE FORMAT
A memory stick or compact flash card or similar device for
storage and retrieval of election data which is approved by the state.
GENERAL ELECTION
The election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday
in November of every odd-numbered year at which the voters of the
Town may vote for candidates for the office of Commissioner of Bel
Air.
OFFICAL RESULTS
The report that is generated from the polls and canvasses
which shows the total number of eligible voters and percentage of
voters who voted at the polls, the number of voters who voted by absentee
ballot and provisional ballot and the number of votes cast for each
candidate and/or question.
POLL BOOK
An electronic book, or printed book, which consists of voter
registration record information of all registered voters at the time
of election day.
PROVISIONAL BALLOT
A ballot that is cast by an individual, but not counted until
the individual's qualifications to vote have been confirmed. Provisional
ballots are reviewed and counted by the Election Judges during the
provisional canvass which takes place on a designated date after the
day of the election.
REGISTRATION
The act by which a person becomes qualified to vote in any
election of the Town.
REGISTRATION APPLICATION FORM
The form to be filled out and signed by each prospective
registrant containing the necessary information to establish eligibility
as a voter in Town elections.
SAMPLE BALLOT
A facsimile of the ballot that the voter will use to register
his/her vote in the election.
SPECIAL ELECTION
Every election called by resolution of the Commissioners, including but not limited to elections to fill vacancies in the offices of Commissioners pursuant to Article III, Section 307, of the Charter of the Town of Bel Air and referendum elections on the question of proposed Charter amendments of the Town as required by state law or as provided in §
37-7 of this chapter. Special elections shall be held in accordance with §
37-7 of this chapter.
TOWN
Town of Bel Air, a Maryland municipal corporation.
TOWN CLERK
The custodian of the voting records of the Town of Bel Air.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
The report of votes tabulated that is generated immediately
following the closing of the polls on the day of the election and
prior to the canvassing of absentee and provisional ballots.
WRITE-IN VOTE
A vote cast for an individual whose name is not on the ballot.