MD SB262

County councils may now direct that special elections to fill vacancies in county council or county executive positions skip the primary election and proceed directly to a special general election, using either a partisan format (candidates listed with party affiliation) or nonpartisan format

Special elections must be scheduled at least 90 days after the county council adopts the resolution and cannot occur within 120 days before or after a regularly scheduled election, though they may be held concurrently with regular elections

The State Administrator has authority to conduct special elections entirely under state law and regulations when conflicts exist between state requirements and county charter provisions

Local boards must send vote-by-mail ballots at least 30 days before a special election (increased from 14 days) and are no longer required to mail specimen ballots to registered voters

Voters may return vote-by-mail ballots through ballot drop boxes in special elections, in addition to existing options of mail, in-person delivery, or authorized agent