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2002 Gubernatorial Election

2001-2002 Election Calendar

  • All references to "Article 33" mean Article 33 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
  • All references to "COMAR" mean the Code of Maryland Regulations.
  • In accordance with Article 33, § 1-301 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, if a computation of time requires an act to be performed on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the act shall be performed on the next regular business day.
  • If the law does not prescribe a specific time for a deadline, the regular close of business of the relevant election office will be applied.

2001

May 1, 2001; Tuesday
Referendum on Acts of 2001 General Assembly: Deadline for filer to submit request to the State Board for advance determination of sufficiency of the filers petition format
At least 30 days prior to the deadline to file the petition.
Article 33, §6-210

May 7, 2001; Monday
Report Deadline -- 6-month Post-General Report
Report by 2000 non-continuing campaign accounts only. Transaction Dates: November 22, 2000 through April 30, 2001
Article 33, § 13-401(a)(4)

May 31, 2001; Thursday By midnight
Deadline for submission of at least one-third of referendum petition signatures concerning an Act of the 2001 General Assembly
Petitions are filed with the Secretary of State
MD Const. Art. XVI, §3(b)

June 30, 2001; Saturday By midnight
Deadline for balance of referendum petition signatures concerning Acts of the 2001 General Assembly
Petitions are filed with the Secretary of State
MD Const. Art. XVI, § 3(b)

November 8, 2001; Thursday
Annual/ 1-year Post-General Campaign Fund Report for all continuing and open non-continuing campaign accounts
Must include all transactions from last required report through November 1, 2001
Article 33, §13-401(b)(1), (d)(1)

2002

February 1, 2002; Friday By 5:00 PM
Deadline to request first distribution of public funds in Primary
Applies only to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who are eligible to receive public funding
Article 33, §15-104(c)(1) COMAR 33.14.02.06

April 2, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00 PM
Deadline to request second distribution of public funds in Primary
Applies only to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who are eligible to receive public funding
Article 33, §15-104(c)(1) COMAR 33.14.02.06

May 1, 2002; Wednesday
On Acts of 2002 General Assembly: Deadline for filer to submit request to the State Board for advance determination of sufficiency of the filers petition format
At least 30 days prior to deadline to file petition but not more than 2 years and one month prior to deadline to file petition
Article 33, §6-210

May 7, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00 PM
Deadline to request third distribution of public funds in Primary
Applies only to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who are eligible to receive public funding
Article 33, §15-104(c)(1) COMAR 33.14.02.06

May 31, 2002; Friday By midnight
Deadline for submission of at least one-third of referendum petition signatures concerning an Act of the 2002 General Assembly
Petitions are filed with the Secretary of State.
MD Const. Art. XVI, § 3(b)

June 4, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00 PM
Deadline to request fourth distribution of public funds in Primary
Applies only to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who are eligible to receive public funding
Article 33, §15-104(c)(1) COMAR 33.14.02.06

June 11, 2002; Tuesday
Deadline to change polling places
Beginning the Tuesday that is 13 weeks prior to the Primary
Article 33, §2-303(b)

June 17, 2002; Monday By 9:00 PM
Deadline for change of party affiliation
Monday that is 12 weeks before the Primary (until registration reopens after the Primary)
Article 33, §3-303(a)(1)

June 30, 2002; Sunday By midnight
Deadline for balance of referendum petition signatures concerning Acts of the 2002 General Assembly
Petitions are filed with the Secretary of State.
MD Const. Art. XVI, §3(b)

July 1, 2002; Monday By 9:00PM
Deadline for candidate to file declaration of intent to seek nomination by petition
Date and time specified for candidate to file certificate of candidacy
Article 33, § 5-703(c)(3)(i)

July 1, 2002; Monday By 9:00PM
Deadline for candidate to file certificate of candidacy To run in a party primary
Monday that is 10 weeks or 70 days before Primary
Article 33, §5-303(a)(1)

July 1, 2002; Monday By 9:00PM
Deadline for candidate to file notice of intent to qualify for public funding in Primary and certification that seed money has been raised
Candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor only
Article 33, §15-104(c)(1), COMAR 33.14.02.03

July 2, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00 PM
Deadline to request fifth distribution of public funds in Primary
Applies only to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who are eligible to receive public funding.
Article 33, §15-104(c)(1) COMAR 33.14.02.06

July 8, 2002; Monday
Deadline for new party to submit request to the State Board for advance determination of sufficiency of the format of the filers petition format
At least 30 days prior to deadline to file petition, but not more than 2 years and one month prior to deadline to file petition
Article 33, §6-210

July 8, 2002; Monday
Deadline for filer to submit request to the State Board for advance determination of sufficiency of the format of the filer's nominating petition
At least 30 days prior to deadline to file petition, but not more than 2 years prior to deadline to file petition
Article 33, §6-210

July 8, 2002; General Assembly candidates and Central Committee candidates running by Legislative District should consult the supplemental calendar.

July 11, 2002; Thursday By 5:00PM
Deadline for withdrawal of candidacy before Primary
10 days after filing deadline
Article 33, §5-502(a)

July 15, 2002; Monday
Deadline for filer to submit a request to Local Board for advance determination of sufficiency of the filers charter amendment petition format.
At least 30 days prior to deadline to file petition but not more than 2 years and one month prior to deadline to file petition
Article 33, §6-210

July 16, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00PM
Deadline for central committee to file certificate of designation to fill candidate vacancy
5th day after date on which candidates may withdraw their candidacies before Primary
Article 33, §5-901(e)

July 18, 2002; General Assembly candidates and Central Committee candidates running by Legislative District should consult the supplemental calendar.

July 22, 2002; Monday
Deadline for State Board to certify content and arrangement of each ballot
50 days before Primary
Article 33, § 9-207(a)(1)

July 23, 2002; General Assembly candidates and Central Committee candidates running by Legislative District should consult the supplemental calendar.

July 27, 2002; General Assembly candidates and Central Committee candidates running by Legislative District should consult the supplemental calendar.

July 29, 2002; Monday
Deadline for Local Board to display content and arrangements of all Ballots
Within 5 days of certification
Article 33, §9-207(d)

August 1, 2002; General Assembly candidates and Central Committee candidates running by Legislative District should consult the supplemental calendar.

August 5, 2002; Monday By 5:00PM
Deadline for filing new party petition
First Monday in August (no petitions through November 18, 2002, when voter registration re-opens)
Article 33, §4-102(c)(2)(ii)

August 5, 2002; Monday By 5:00PM
Deadline for General Election petition candidate to file certificate of candidacy and nominating petition
First Monday in August
Article 33, §5-703(d) & (f)

August 6, 2002 Tuesday By 5:00 PM
Deadline to request sixth distribution of public funds in Primary
Applies only to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who are eligible to receive public funding.
Article 33, §15-104(c)(1) COMAR 33.14.02.06

August 12, 2002; MondayBy 5:00PM
Deadline for filing charter-related petitions
Second Monday in August, petitions are filed with Mayor of Baltimore City or with President of County Council.
MD Const. Art. XI-A, §5 Article 33, §7-105(b)

August 12, 2002 [Per HB 123]; Monday
Deadline for SBE to certify to local boards questions referred to voters of one county, or part of one county, by General Assembly
Second Monday in August
Article 33, §7-103(c)(2)

August 13, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00PM
Deadline for first Pre-Primary Campaign Fund Report
Fourth Tuesday before the Primary, applies to continuing campaign accounts and 2002 non-continuing accounts (covers activity through August 6)
Article 33, §13-401(a)(1)

August 13, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00PM
Deadline for Affidavit of Non-Participation
Applies to continuing accounts only, filed in lieu of first Pre-Primary Report
Article 33, §13-401(d)(2)

August 19, 2002 [Per HB 123]; Monday
Deadline for Secretary of State to certify statewide ballot questions and all questions relating to Acts of the General Assembly petitioned to referendum
Third Monday in August
Article 33, §7-103(c)(1)

August 19, 2002 [Per HB 123]; Monday
Deadline for County Attorney to certify to local board each question (other than a statewide question, a question submitted by the General Assembly, or a question relating to an Act of the General Assembly) to be voted on in one county, or part of one county
Third Monday in August
Article 33, §7-103(c)(3)(i)

August 20, 2002; Tuesday By 9:00PM
Last day to register to vote before Primary
21st day before election
Article 33, §§2-302(a)(2)(ii) and 3-302(a)(3)

August 20, 2002; Tuesday
Deadline to request voter registration lists (New requests will not be taken until registration reopens on 09/23/2002)
On or before voter registration deadline
COMAR 03.03.02.05(c)

August 20, 2002; Tuesday By 9:00PM
Deadline for elderly or disabled voter to apply for reassignment to an accessible polling place
Close of voter registration for election
Article 33, §10-102(b)

August 26, 2002; Monday
Deadline for local boards to verify and count signatures on nominating new party petitions
Within 20 days after the petition is filed
Article 33, § 6-210(c)

August 26, 2002 [Per HB 123]; Monday
Deadline for clerk of circuit court to certify to local board any question to appear on ballot in one, or part of one county
Fourth Monday in August, applies if County Attorney has not timely certified question
Article 33, §7-103(c)(3)(ii)(a)(3)

August 28, 2002; Wednesday
Deadline for certification as to sufficiency of nominating and new party petitions
Within 2 business days after verification and counting completed, deadline extended if judicial review is pending
Article 33, §6-210(d)

August 30, 2002; Friday By 5:00PM
Second Pre-Primary Campaign Fund Report
Continuing campaign accounts and 2002 non-continuing accounts (covers activity through August 25)
Article 33, §13-401(a)(2)

September 3, 2002; Tuesday By 4:30PM or before midnight if by FAX
Deadline for receipt of Absentee Ballot application for Primary
Tuesday before election
COMAR 33.11.02.02D

September 3, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00PM
Deadline to request seventh distribution of public funds in Primary
Applies only to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who are eligible to receive public funding.
Article 33, §15-104(c)(1) COMAR 33.14.02.06

September 3, 2002; Tuesday
Deadline to request judicial review of any determination about sufficiency of a petition to place a candidate or question on General Election ballot
63rd day before General Election
Article 33, §6-210(e)(2)

September 4 -- September 10, 2002; 9/10/02 -- Tues. By 8:00PM
Period for receipt of late Absentee Ballot application for Primary from voter or authorized agent
Wednesday before election through closing of polls on election day
COMAR 33.11.02.04A

September 10, 2002; Tuesday
Primary Election Polls open 7:00AM - 8:00PM continuously (voters present at 8:00PM may vote)
Second Tuesday after first Monday in September
Article 33, §§8-201, 10-301, & 11-202

September 10, 2002; Tuesday By 8:00PM
Deadline for receipt of Primary Absentee Ballots
An Absentee Ballot is timely received if it reaches the local board before the polls close on election day, regardless of whether it came by mail or personal delivery
COMAR 33.11.03.08

September 10, 2002 Tuesday By 8:00PM
Extended deadline for receipt of Voter Registration Application (VRA) by mail, for voting in Primary
A VRA received by mail after the August 20 deadline is timely if it is postmarked, by the U.S. Post Office or the postal service of any other country, or in certain cases if the applicant's affidavit shows that it was mailed, on or before August 20
Article 33, §3-302(c) COMAR 33.05.04.01C,D

September 11, 2002; Wednesday By 4:00PM
Extended deadline for receipt of Primary Absentee Ballots by mail
Postmark must show that ballot was mailed before election day. In certain cases when a postmark is unavailable, a voter affidavit will suffice.
COMAR 33.11.03.08

September 20, 2002; Friday
Deadline for local boards to verify Primary vote count
Within 10 days after election, and before certifying results of the election
Article 33, § 11-306(a)

September 20, 2002 Or 48 hours after Completion of canvass; Friday
Local boards report official Primary results of canvassers to Governor, SBE, and clerk of circuit court
Second Friday after Primary, or if canvass is completed afterward, within 48 hours after completion
Article 33, §11-401(a)

September 23-25, 2002 (Depending on when appropriate results are certified)
Monday-Wednesday (or later)
Deadline for declination of nomination by candidate before the General Election
Within 2 days after election results are certified
Article 33, §5-801(b)(2)(I)

September 23, 2002; Monday
State Board convenes to certify statewide election results
2 days after official results received from local boards
Article 33, § 11-501

September 23, 2002; Monday
Voter registration reopens
11th day after Primary
Article 33, §3-302(a)

September 24, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00PM
Deadline to request final public contributions for Primary
Second Tuesday following Primary, applies only to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who are eligible to receive public funding, covers contributions received through Primary
COMAR 33.14.02.06A

September 26, 2002; Thursday By 5:00PM
Deadline for central committee to fill vacancy in nomination to office entirely within one county caused by resignation or death of a candidate
The later of the 40th day before the General election or the 5th day following the vacancy
Article 33, §5-1004

September 30, 2002; Monday
Deadline for gubernatorial ticket to file notice of intent to qualify for public funding in General election (if public funding not received in Primary), with certification that required seed money has been received
Five days after State Board declares candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor
COMAR 33.14.02.04A

September 30, 2002; Monday By 5:00PM
Deadline for SBE to certify content and arrangement of General election ballot
Not more than 18 days after Primary
Article 33, §9-207(a)(2)(ii)

October 15, 2002; Tuesday By 9:00 PM
Last day to register to vote before General (See below for extended deadline for voter registration applications received by mail)
21st day before election
Article 33, §§2-302 & 3-302

October 15, 2002; Tuesday
Deadline to request voter registration lists. (New requests will not be taken until registration reopens on 11/18/2002)
On or before voter registration deadline
COMAR 03.03.02.05(c)

October 15, 2002; Tuesday By 9:00PM
Deadline for elderly or disabled voter to apply for reassignment to an accessible polling place
Close of voter registration for election
Article 33, §10-102(b)(1)

October 21, 2002; Monday By 5:00PM
Deadline for candidates who received public funding in Primary to report amount and purpose for all public funds spent
Sixth Monday after Primary
COMAR 33.14.02.10A

October 25, 2002; Friday By 5:00PM
Deadline for first Pre-General Campaign Fund Report
Second Friday before General Election, applies to all continuing campaign accounts and 2002 non-continuing accounts (complete through October 20)
Article 33, §13-401(a)(2)

October 29, 2002; Tuesday By 4:30PM or before midnight if by FAX
Deadline for receipt of Absentee Ballot applications for General Election
Tuesday before election
COMAR 33.11.02.02D

October 30, 2002; Wednesday By 5:00PM
Deadline for filing as write-in candidate
Write-in candidate must file certificate of candidacy within 7 days after spending $51 or more, but not later than 5:00PM on Wednesday before election
Article 33, §5-303(c)(2)

October 30 -- November 5, 2002; Wednesday -- Tuesday By 8:00PM
Period for receipt of late Absentee Ballot application from voter or authorized agent
Starting Wednesday before election through 8:00PM on election day
COMAR 33.11.02.04A

November 5, 2002; Tuesday
General Election Polls open 7:00AM to 8:00PM continuously (voters present at 8:00PM may vote)
Tuesday after first Monday in November
MD Const. Art. XV, § 7 Article 33, §10-301, 11-202

November 5, 2002; Tuesday By 8:00PM
Extended deadline for receipt of Voter Registration Application (VRA) by mail, for voting in General
A VRA received by mail after the October 15 deadline is timely if it is postmarked, by the U.S. Postal Service or the postal office of any other country, or in certain cases if the applicant's affidavit shows that it was mailed, on or before October 15.
Article 33, §3-302(c) COMAR 33.05.04.01C,D

November 5, 2002; Tuesday By 8:00PM
Deadline for receipt of General Absentee Ballots
An Absentee Ballot is timely received if it reaches the local board before the polls close on election day, regardless of whether it came by mail or personal delivery.
COMAR 33.11.03.08

November 6, 2002; Wednesday By 4:00PM
Extended deadline for receipt of General Absentee Ballots by mail
Postmark must show that ballot was mailed before election day. In certain cases when a postmark is unavailable, a voter affidavit will suffice.
COMAR 33.11.03.08

November 8, 2002; Friday
Annual Campaign Fund Report for all open non-continuing campaign accounts (unless report is due on November 26 for 2002 account)
Applies to 2000 non-continuing campaign accounts and all future non-continuing campaign accounts (established for 2003 & beyond), must include all transactions from last required report through November 1, 2001
Article 33, §13-401(b)

November 11, 2002; Monday
Deadline for Gubernatorial candidates to return unspent public funds
60 days after Primary
Article 33, §15-106(b)

November 15, 2002; Friday By 4:00PM
Extended deadline for receipt of General Absentee Ballots by mail from outside the United States
Second Friday after election, postmark must show that ballot was mailed before election day. In certain cases when a postmark is unavailable, a voter affidavit will suffice.
COMAR 33.11.03.08B

November 15, 2002; Friday
Deadline for local boards to verify vote count
Within 10 days after election, and before certifying results of the election
Article 33, § 11-306(a)

November 15, 2002 or 48 hours after Completion of canvass; Friday
Local boards report official General Election results of canvassers to Governor, SBE, and clerk of circuit court
Second Friday after election, or if canvass is completed afterward, within 48 hours after completion
Article 33, §11-401(a)

November 18, 2002; Monday
Voter Registration reopens
11th day after election
Article 33, § 3-302

November 26, 2002; Tuesday By 5:00PM
Deadline for Post-General Campaign Fund Report
Third Tuesday after General Election, applies to all continuing and 2002 non-continuing campaign accounts, must include all transactions through November 19
Article 33, §13-401(a)(3)

December 10, 2002; Tuesday
Deadline for State Board of Canvassers to convene to certify elections results
35 days after General Election
Article 33, § 11-503(a)

December 16, 2002; Monday By 5:00PM
Deadline for candidates who received public funding to report amount and purpose for all public funds spent
Sixth Monday after General Election
COMAR 33.14.02.10A

January 6, 2003; Monday
Deadline for candidates to return unspent public funds
60th day after General Election
Article 33, §15-106(b)

January 15, 2003; Monday
Annual Campaign Finance Report for all continuing and open non-continuing campaign accounts
Must include all transactions from last required report through January 8, 2003
Article 33, §13-401(b)(1), (d)(1)