Signed by Governor Wes Moore

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that expands absentee ballot deadline.

Highlights:

• Requires a local board of elections to send ballots to voters who have made a request to vote by absentee ballot not later than a certain number of days before an election (Sec. 1).

• Repeals and amends several current election laws (Sec. 1).

• Defines how the local election board should provide the absentee ballot requested by the voter (Sec. 1):

• Mail;

• Facsimile Transmission;

• Internet; or

• By hand during an in-person transaction.

• Specifies that the absentee ballot should be sent not later than 43 days before an election (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a voter should make a request for an absentee ballot at least 60 days before election day to receive by mail, facsimile transmission, or the internet (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if a voter requests a ballot less than 60 days before an election that the board must provide the ballot “as soon as practicable after receipt of request” or immediately for an in-person transaction with a voter (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a local board should review a ballot and record the receipt of an absentee ballot not later than (Sec. 1):

• 2 business days after receipt of a ballot provided by mail; or

• 4 business days after receipt of a ballot provided through internet or facsimile transmission.

• Specifies that a local election board may not release absentee ballot vote totals until the polls close on election day (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that expands absentee ballot deadline.

Highlights:

• Requires a local board of elections to send ballots to voters who have made a request to vote by absentee ballot not later than a certain number of days before an election (Sec. 1).

• Repeals and amends several current election laws (Sec. 1).

• Defines how the local election board should provide the absentee ballot requested by the voter (Sec. 1):

• Mail;

• Facsimile Transmission;

• Internet; or

• By hand during an in-person transaction.

• Specifies that the absentee ballot should be sent not later than 43 days before an election (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a voter should make a request for an absentee ballot at least 60 days before election day to receive by mail, facsimile transmission, or the internet (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if a voter requests a ballot less than 60 days before an election that the board must provide the ballot “as soon as practicable after receipt of request” or immediately for an in-person transaction with a voter (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a local board should review a ballot and record the receipt of an absentee ballot not later than (Sec. 1):

• 2 business days after receipt of a ballot provided by mail; or

• 4 business days after receipt of a ballot provided through internet or facsimile transmission.

• Specifies that a local election board may not release absentee ballot vote totals until the polls close on election day (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text