(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Ballot” means a ballot prepared by the State Board of Elections under Title 9 of the Election Law Article.
(3) “State Board” means the State Board of Elections.
(b) A municipality may request that the State Board include on a ballot the offices and questions to be voted on in a municipal election.
(c) (1) A municipality that makes a request under this section shall:
(i) file the request with the State Board on or before the day that is 18 months before the deadline date applicable for individuals who are required to file a certificate of candidacy as required under § 5–303 of the Election Law Article; and
(ii) certify as part of the request that the charter of the municipality requires, and the municipality has established, deadlines and procedures for the administration of municipal elections for the municipality that are consistent with the deadlines and procedures for State and county elections established by the State Board with regard to:
1. the filing of certificates of candidacy;
2. the filling of a vacancy in office;
3. the filing of a petition; and
4. the certification of a ballot question.
(2) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if the State Board previously included a municipal election on the ballot, that municipality’s elections may continue to appear on the ballot without the municipality filing an additional request under this section.
(ii) A municipality shall file a request under this section if, since the municipality’s election last appeared on the ballot, there has been a significant change in the method the municipality uses to conduct its elections.
(3) Within 30 days after receipt of a municipality’s request under this section, the State Board, after consultation with the local board in the county where the municipality is located, shall notify the municipality of its decision whether to include the municipal election on the ballot.
(d) If the State Board approves a municipality’s request under this section, the State Board shall:
(1) include the offices and questions at the end of the ballot; and
(2) arrange the offices and questions in a similar order as other offices and questions are arranged on the ballot.
(e) A municipality shall reimburse the State Board and the applicable local board for any additional costs incurred by the State Board or local board on account of including the offices and questions to be voted on in a municipal election on the ballot.