Signed by Governor Martin O'Malley

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that amends voting procedures.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to submit a voter registration or change his or her address on an existing voter registration during the early voting period at an early voting center (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the State Board to operate an online voter registration system that allows an individual to become a registered voter or change his or her name, address, or party affiliation (Sec. 1).

• Requires an individual who completes a voter registration or changes his or her voter registration to affirmatively attest that the information submitted is true and is subject to the penalties of perjury (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a registered voter to request an absentee ballot which can be submitted through the mail, a facsimile transmission, or the completion of the “online ballot marking tool” (Sec. 3).

• Defines “online ballot marking tool” as a system that allows a voter to access a blank ballot through the internet, electronically mark the ballot, print a paper copy, and mail to the a local board (Sec. 3).

• Amends the number of early voting centers a county is required to operate as follows (Sec. 3):
• Existing Law:
• 1 early voting center for a county with less than 150,000 registered voters; 
• 3 early voting centers for a county with more than 150,000 registered voters but less than 300,000 registered voters; 
• 5 early voting centers for a county with more than 300,000 registered voters.
• New Law:
• 1 early voting center for a county with less than 125,000 registered voters; 
• 3 early voting centers for a county with more than 125,000 voters but less than 300,000 registered voters;
• 5 early voting centers for a county with more than 300,000 voters but less than 450,000 register voters; and
• 8 early voting centers for a county with more 450,000 registered voters.

• Authorizes a county to establish 1 additional early voting center with the approval of the state board, local board, and the governing body of the county (Sec. 3).

• Requires an early voting center to be open the second Tuesday prior to the election through the Thursday before the primary or general election (Sec. 3).

• Requires an early voting center to hold the following hours (Sec. 3):
• 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM each early voting day for presidential elections; and
• 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM each early voting day for all other elections. 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends voting procedures.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to submit a voter registration or change his or her address on an existing voter registration during the early voting period at an early voting center (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the State Board to operate an online voter registration system that allows an individual to become a registered voter or change his or her name, address, or party affiliation (Sec. 1).

• Requires an individual who completes a voter registration or changes his or her voter registration to affirmatively attest that the information submitted is true and is subject to the penalties of perjury (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a registered voter to request an absentee ballot which can be submitted through the mail, a facsimile transmission, or the completion of the “online ballot marking tool” (Sec. 3).

• Defines “online ballot marking tool” as a system that allows a voter to access a blank ballot through the internet, electronically mark the ballot, print a paper copy, and mail to the a local board (Sec. 3).

• Amends the number of early voting centers a county is required to operate as follows (Sec. 3):
• Existing Law:
• 1 early voting center for a county with less than 150,000 registered voters; 
• 3 early voting centers for a county with more than 150,000 registered voters but less than 300,000 registered voters; 
• 5 early voting centers for a county with more than 300,000 registered voters.
• New Law:
• 1 early voting center for a county with less than 125,000 registered voters; 
• 3 early voting centers for a county with more than 125,000 voters but less than 300,000 registered voters;
• 5 early voting centers for a county with more than 300,000 voters but less than 450,000 register voters; and
• 8 early voting centers for a county with more 450,000 registered voters.

• Authorizes a county to establish 1 additional early voting center with the approval of the state board, local board, and the governing body of the county (Sec. 3).

• Requires an early voting center to be open the second Tuesday prior to the election through the Thursday before the primary or general election (Sec. 3).

• Requires an early voting center to hold the following hours (Sec. 3):
• 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM each early voting day for presidential elections; and
• 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM each early voting day for all other elections. 

Full Bill Text