§10–202.    IN EFFECT

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an election judge shall be a registered voter who resides in the county for which the election judge is appointed.

        (2)    (i)    If a qualified individual residing in the county cannot be found with reasonable effort, the local board may appoint a registered voter residing in any part of the State.

            (ii)    Subject to the provisions of § 3–210(c) of the Labor and Employment Article, a minor who is at least 16 years old and who is a registered voter may be appointed and serve as an election judge.

    (b)    An election judge shall be able to speak, read, and write the English language.

    (c)    An election judge may not engage in any partisan or political activity that is proscribed by § 2–301 of this article.

    (d)    A State employee who serves as an election judge during hours that the employee is otherwise scheduled to work for the State:

        (1)    may use 1 hour of administrative leave for each hour of service as an election judge, up to a total of 8 hours for each day of service; and

        (2)    shall receive the election judge compensation as specified in § 10–205 of this subtitle.

    (e)    A local board may adopt guidelines consistent with the provisions of this title for the determination of the qualifications of persons considered for appointment and for the process of appointment as election judges. To the extent not inconsistent with this subtitle, the guidelines may provide for the appointment of an election judge, other than the chief judge, to serve for less than a full day and for the judge to be compensated, on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the fees set under § 10–205 of this subtitle for a judge serving a full day.

§10–202.    ** TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2025 PER CHAPTER 504 OF 2024 **

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an election judge shall be a registered voter who resides in the county for which the election judge is appointed.

        (2)    (i)    If a qualified individual residing in the county cannot be found with reasonable effort, the local board may appoint a registered voter residing in any part of the State.

            (ii)    Subject to the provisions of § 3–210(c) of the Labor and Employment Article, a minor who is at least 16 years old and who is a registered voter may be appointed and serve as an election judge.

    (b)    An election judge shall be able to speak, read, and write the English language.

    (c)    An election judge may not engage in any partisan or political activity that is proscribed by § 2–301 of this article.

    (d)    A State or county employee who serves as an election judge during hours that the employee is otherwise scheduled to work for the State or county shall receive:

        (1)    1 hour of administrative leave for each hour of service as an election judge, up to a total of 8 hours for each day of service; and

        (2)    the election judge compensation as specified in § 10–205 of this subtitle.

    (e)    (1)    Subject to subsection (f) of this section, a local board may adopt guidelines consistent with the provisions of this title for the determination of the qualifications of persons considered for appointment and for the process of appointment as election judges.

        (2)    To the extent not inconsistent with this subtitle, the guidelines adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection may provide for the appointment of an election judge, other than the chief judge, to serve for less than a full day and for the judge to be compensated, on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the fees set under § 10–205 of this subtitle for a judge serving a full day.

    (f)    (1)    The State Board shall adopt regulations to standardize and minimize forms or documentation required to:

            (i)    apply to serve as an election judge;

            (ii)    serve as an election judge; or

            (iii)    receive compensation for service as an election judge.

        (2)    A local board or county government may not require additional forms or documentation for election judges or prospective election judges in excess of the forms or documentation required in regulations adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection.