(a)    There is a State Administrator of Elections.

(b)    The State Administrator shall:

(1)    be appointed by the State Board, with the advice and consent of the Senate of Maryland, and serve at the pleasure of the State Board;

(2)    receive a salary as provided in the State budget;

(3)    as provided in the State budget, employ and supervise:

(i)    a deputy administrator, who shall serve as State Administrator in the event the State Administrator resigns, becomes disabled, or dies, pending the appointment of a successor State Administrator; and

(ii)    pursuant to the State Personnel and Pensions Article, other staff of the State Board;

(4)    supervise the operations of the local boards;

(5)    perform all duties and exercise all powers that are assigned by law to the State Administrator or delegated by the State Board;

(6)    implement, in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, a single, uniform, official, centralized, interactive computerized statewide voter registration list;

(7)    provided the State Board is fully constituted with five duly confirmed members, be subject to removal by the affirmative vote of four duly confirmed members of the State Board for incompetence, misconduct, or other good cause except that:

(i)    prior to removal, the State Board shall set forth written charges stating the grounds for dismissal and afford the State Administrator notice and an ample opportunity to be heard; and

(ii)    subsequent to a valid vote for removal by at least four duly confirmed members of the State Board, the State Administrator is authorized to continue to serve until a successor is appointed and confirmed by the Senate of Maryland; and

(8)    be the chief State election official.

(c)    Before taking office, the appointee to the office of State Administrator shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.