Related Information
Voter Registration
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | In person, by mail, online. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Deadline | 21 days before Election Day | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Automatic | Yes; during DMV transactions. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Same Day | Yes; during the early voting period. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
Absentee Ballot Application
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excuse | No excuse required. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Automatic | No | Absentee ballot request forms were sent to all qualified voters in the general election. | HB1048 and SB0683 (both enacted) make all voters eligible for permanent absentee ballot status on request at any time. |
| Deadline | If ballot sent by mail or fax; the Tuesday before Election Day. If ballot sent electronically; the Friday before Election Day. If voter's agent applies for absentee ballot in person; the closing of the polls on Election Day. | October 20, 2020 (No Changes) | No Legislative Activity |
| Valid for X# of Cycles | 1, unless application for permanent absentee status. | No Changes. | HB1048 and SB0683 (both enacted) make all voters eligible for permanent absentee ballot status on request at any time. |
Absentee Ballot Return (other than by mail)
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voter ID | No ID required by state law. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| In Person | Yes | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Drop Box | Available by county; legislation silent. | No legislative change; statewide ballot drop box locations increased. | HB1047 (passed House) would require at least 300 drop boxes to be available statewide and establish new legislative language regarding drop boxes. HB1048 (enacted) establishes drop box procedures for local boards. SB0683 establishes new legislative language regarding drop boxes. |
| Return Deadline | Poll closing on Election Day. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
Ballot Harvesting
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited | No; any non-candidate adult designated in signed writing by the voter may pick up and return absentee ballots. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Limited 3rd Party | Not prohibited. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Paid Political Operatives | Not prohibited. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
Early Voting
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Mail | Permitted | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| In Person | Permitted at early voting centers from the second Thursday before an election through the Thursday before the election. | No Changes | HB0206 and SB0596 (both enacted) extend early voting hours to 7AM-8PM during each early voting day. HB0745 (enacted) increases the number of early voting centers established by number of registered voters in a county. |
Voter Identification - Absentee Ballot
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Verification | No | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Witness Statement | No | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Other | No | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Cure Process | No | No Changes | HB1047 (passed House) would require the State Board to establish regulations for a notification and cure system for problems with absentee ballots. |
Voter Identification - In Person
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | No state law ID requirements unless voting for the first time. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Other Options | First-time voters in MD must show an ID or a current bill or statement that verifies the voter's name and address. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Provisional Ballots | Used if unregistered voters without ID declare eligibility and registration in writing on Election Day. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
Voting Day
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours | 7AM-8PM | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Wait Time | No Legislation | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Electioneering | Prohibited within 100 feet of a polling place on Election Day. | No Changes | HB1047 (passed House) only prohibits electioneering at drop boxes if it prohibits access to the drop box itself. |
| Other | - | - |
Voter Rolls
| Pre-COVID | During 2020 | 2021 Legislative Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Update Frequency | At the discretion of the State Board of Elections. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |
| Voter Removal | When voter requests removal in writing, dies, is convicted of a felony, is placed under guardianship for mental disability, is convicted of buying/selling votes, moves out of state, or remains inactive through 2 general elections. | No Changes | No Legislative Activity |