§5–703.1.

    (a)    Except for a candidate for a nonpartisan county board of education, this section applies to any candidate for public office subject to this title.

    (b)    A candidate for a public office may be nominated by a political party under this subtitle if the political party is not required to nominate its candidates by party primary.

    (c)    (1)    This subsection does not apply to a candidate nominated by a new political party under § 4–102(f) of this article.

        (2)    A candidate for public office who seeks political party nomination under this section shall file a declaration of intent to seek political party nomination.

        (3)    The declaration of intent shall be filed with the board at which the candidate files a certificate of candidacy under Subtitle 3 of this title.

        (4)    The declaration of intent shall be filed as follows:

            (i)    not later than the first Monday in July; and

            (ii)    for a special election to fill a vacancy:

                1.    for Representative in Congress, by the date and time specified in the Governor’s proclamation; or

                2.    for a local public office, by the date and time specified in the county proclamation.

        (5)    A candidate who seeks nomination by political party may not be charged a fee for filing the declaration of intent.

    (d)    (1)    A candidate for public office who seeks nomination by political party shall file a certificate of candidacy not later than 5 p.m. on the first Monday in August in the year of the general election for the office.

        (2)    Except for the time of filing, the certificate of candidacy for a candidate who seeks nomination by political party shall comply with the requirements for a certificate of candidacy under Subtitle 3 of this title.

    (e)    (1)    A candidate for nomination by political party may not have the candidate’s name placed on the general election ballot unless the candidate files with the appropriate board, on a form the State Board prescribes, a certificate of nomination signed by the officers of the political party.

        (2)    In a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in Congress, a certificate of nomination shall be filed with the State Board by 5 p.m. on the day of the special primary election.