HB 335
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
House Bill 335 (Delegate Boyce)
Ways and Means Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
Election Law – Party and Elected Public Offices – Prohibitions
This bill establishes that an individual may not (1) simultaneously be a candidate for a
political party office and an elected public office or (2) simultaneously hold a political
party office and an elected public office. The bill establishes, however, that these
provisions do not apply to an individual who simultaneously holds an elected public office
and (1) is on the ballot for the national presidential nominating convention or (2) holds the
office of delegate to the national presidential nominating convention.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not materially affect State finances.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law:
Simultaneous Candidacy
Unless otherwise prohibited by rule of the applicable political party, an individual
simultaneously may be a candidate for a political party office and a public office. An
individual, however, may not simultaneously be a candidate for more than one public office
or more than one political party office.
Qualifications for Candidacy
An individual may become a candidate for a public or party office only if the individual
satisfies the qualifications for that office established by law and, in the case of a
party office, by party constitution or bylaws.
Political Party Governance
Each political party must have a State central committee that is the governing body of the
political party and may be composed of the members of the central committees of the
counties during their terms in office. A principal political party must elect the members of
a county central committee at a primary election.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: HB 873 of 2020 passed the House with amendments and was
referred to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, but no
further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): State Board of Elections; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 18, 2021
rh/hlb Third Reader - March 22, 2021
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 22, 2021
Analysis by: Scott D. Kennedy Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 335/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Election Law – Party and Elected Public Offices – Prohibitions: 5-204 Election Law
Text - Third - Election Law – Party and Elected Public Offices – Prohibitions: 5-204 Election Law