In the past, I would have had no doubts that a court would agree with the 8-301(a) application of the HOA Act restrictions. With changing in voting, I believe there is reason to question that approach to the restrictions.

Maryland Election Law defines Election as "...the process by which voters cast votes on one or more contests under the laws of this State or the United States." The definition expressly includes general elections, primary elections and special elections. 

Maryland now has early voting and absentee voting is now a mail-in voting available to all registered voters. The start date for voting in early voting is established in the Elections Law. A "no later than" date is established in the Election Law for sending a ballot to a voter who has requested a mail-in ballot.

Early voting and voting by mail are part of general, primary and special elections and should be considered in establishing restriction dates for the placing of political signs.

Comment on the ARC Guidelines political signs provisions.:

The ARC Guidelines provision is what would be enforced. The 30 day Guidelines restriction is "...from a period of thirty (30) days immediately prior to the the election..." There is no reference to general, primary or special election. 

Jim Trummel