MD HB75

County councils may now skip special primary elections and fill county council or county executive vacancies solely through a special general election, choosing either a partisan format (candidates listed with party affiliation) or nonpartisan format (no party affiliation shown)

Special elections must be held at least 90 days after the county council adopts the resolution establishing the election date and cannot occur within 120 days of a regularly scheduled election

Vote-by-mail ballots must be sent to eligible voters at least 30 days before a special election, increased from the previous 14-day requirement

Voters may now return vote-by-mail ballots through ballot drop boxes in special elections conducted by mail, in addition to returning by mail, in person, or through an authorized agent

State law takes precedence over conflicting county charter provisions for special elections, with the State Administrator authorized to conduct elections entirely under state law when conflicts arise