Category Archives: State Eligibility Laws

MD – Eligibility Ruling

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Maryland

Dear Mr. Hassan:

Thank you for your letter regarding your interest in running for President of the United States and the procedure involved to have your name placed on that ballot.

In Maryland, there are two ways that a U.S. Presidential candidate may have his or her name placed on the primary election ballot. The first method is a determination by the Secretary of State as provided by Election Law Article, §8-502 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. It specifically provides that “[t]he Secretary of State shall certify the name of a presidential

candidate on the ballot when the Secretary has determined … that the candidate’s candidacy is generally advocated or recognized in the news media through the United States or in Maryland…” The second method for a U.S. PresIdentIal candidate to be placed on the primary election ballot is through the petition process. You must submit to the State Board of Elections a  petition containing the signatures of not less than 400 registered voters from each Congressional district in Maryland.

I hope that this information is helpful to you in your endeavor to have your name placed on the ballot. If you have any questions, you may contact us at 410-260-3859 or you may review the filing procedures and forms available on the State Board ofE1ections’ website at http://www.elections.state.md.us under “Petitions.”