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LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 38

CHAPTER 38

(House Bill 551)

AN ACT concerning

Election Code — Definitions

FOR the purpose of redefining a "party" or "political
party" for purposes of the Election Code; and making
style changes.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 33 — Election Code

Section 1-1 (a) (15)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1971 Replacement Volume and 1975 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section 1-1(a)(15) of Article 33 -
Election Code, of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1971
Replacement Volume and 1975 Supplement) be and it is
hereby repealed and reenacted, with amendments, to read
as follows:

Article 33 — Election Code

1-1.

(a) (15) "Party" or "political party" as used in
this article [shall mean] MEANS an organized group of the
electorate that attempts to control government through
the election of its candidates to office, and which
either:

(i) [Shall have polled one per centum]
POLLED 3 PERCENT or more of the entire vote cast in the
State in the LAST general election held in the State [on
either November 5, 1968 or November 3, 1970]; or

(ii) [Shall have filed] FILED a valid
petition for the formation of a political party pursuant
to § 4B-1 of this article.          But, if any such party

[shall lose] LOSES its status as a political party
pursuant to the provisions of § 4C-1 of this article,
then it shall cease to be a "party" or "political party"
for purposes of this article.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1976.