Registering to vote is a fundamental right and responsibility in a democratic society. In Maryland, the process is straightforward, ensuring all eligible residents can participate in elections. Understanding voter registration eligibility and the registration process is crucial. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to register to vote in Maryland, answering common questions and clarifying the steps involved, and importantly, helping you understand how your residency plays a role in your voter registration.
Voter Registration Eligibility: Do You Qualify?
Before you begin the registration process, it’s important to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements to vote in Maryland. Generally, to register to vote in Maryland, you must meet specific criteria related to citizenship, residency, and age.
Basic Requirements for Voter Registration
To be eligible to register to vote in Maryland, you must be:
- A U.S. Citizen: Only citizens of the United States are eligible to vote in federal, state, and local elections.
- A Maryland Resident: You must live in Maryland to register to vote in the state. This means your primary home and physical address must be in Maryland. This is key to answering “Where Do I Live” in the context of voter registration.
- At Least 16 Years Old: Maryland allows individuals as young as 16 to register to vote. However, you must be at least 18 years old by the date of the next general election to actually cast a vote.
Disqualifications for Voter Registration
While Maryland aims to make voter registration accessible, certain circumstances may disqualify you from registering:
- Felony Conviction Restrictions: Previously, a felony conviction could restrict voting rights. However, in Maryland, if you have been convicted of a felony, you are eligible to register to vote once you have completed your court-ordered sentence of imprisonment. This includes federal, state, and out-of-state convictions. You are only ineligible if convicted of buying or selling votes.
- Guardianship for Mental Disability: If you are under guardianship for mental disability and a court has found you unable to communicate a desire to vote, you are not eligible to register.
- Conviction of Buying or Selling Votes: Anyone convicted of buying or selling votes is permanently ineligible to register to vote in Maryland.
Special Cases: Military and Overseas Voters
Understanding “where do I live” becomes a bit more complex for military personnel and U.S. citizens living overseas. Maryland provides specific provisions for these groups to ensure they can still participate in elections.
Military and Overseas Citizens: If you are a U.S. citizen living overseas or are a member of the military, or a dependent of military personnel, you are eligible to register and vote in Maryland if your current or last U.S. residence was in Maryland. This ensures that even when serving abroad or living overseas, your connection to Maryland for voting purposes is maintained.
To register, military and overseas voters can use the Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) or utilize the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) available at www.fvap.gov. The FPCA is a standardized form that simplifies the registration and absentee ballot request process for these voters.
The Voter Registration Process: How to Register
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the next step is to understand the voter registration process itself. Maryland offers multiple convenient ways to register, ensuring accessibility for all residents, regardless of “where you live” within the state.
When and Where to Apply
You can apply to register to vote at any time throughout the year, but there are deadlines to be aware of before each election.
Registration Locations: Maryland provides numerous locations and methods to register to vote, emphasizing ease and accessibility:
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Online Voter Registration System (OLVR): The most convenient method for many is using Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) at https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration. This online portal allows you to complete and submit your application electronically.
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In-Person Registration: You can register in person at various locations across Maryland:
- Your local board of elections
- The State Board of Elections
- Your local Department of Health office
- The Maryland Department of Human Services local offices
- The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) offices
- Your local Area Agency on Aging office
- The MTA Paratransit Certification Office
- All public institutions of higher education
- Recruitment offices of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Marriage license offices
- Offices for students with disabilities at all Maryland colleges and universities
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Early Voting and Election Day Registration: Maryland also allows same-day voter registration during early voting and on election day. You can register at an early voting center in your county during the early voting period or at your assigned election day polling place. When registering on the same day, you will need to bring a document that proves where you live, such as an MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and current address.
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Registration by Mail: You can also register by mail. You can print a voter registration application from the Maryland State Board of Elections website or request an application from your local board of elections or the State Board of Elections. Complete the application and mail it to your local board of elections.
Information Required on the Application
When completing your voter registration application, you will need to provide certain essential information. Federal law mandates that you include either a Maryland driver’s license number or MVA ID Card number. If you do not have either of these, you must provide the last four digits of your social security number. If you have none of these, you must affirm this under penalty of perjury on the application. Your application will not be processed without this information.
Political Party Affiliation
Maryland allows you to affiliate with a recognized political party when you register to vote. You can choose to register as a Democrat, Republican, or with another recognized party. Alternatively, you can register as “unaffiliated,” meaning you are not associated with any political party. However, being unaffiliated generally means you cannot vote in primary elections, which are typically restricted to voters registered with a specific party. Unaffiliated voters can vote in nonpartisan primary elections and all general elections.
Verifying and Updating Your Registration
After you submit your application, it’s wise to ensure your registration is processed correctly and to keep your information up-to-date, especially as it relates to “where you live.”
Verification of Registration
If your voter registration application is complete and processed, you are officially a registered voter in Maryland. If you do not receive a Voter Notification Card within three weeks of submitting your application, it’s recommended to contact your local board of elections to check on the status. You can also verify your registration status online anytime by visiting the Voter Lookup website.
Updating Your Registration Information: Address and Name Changes
Voter registration in Maryland is permanent as long as you continue to reside in the state and keep your registration information current. You do not need to re-register if you move within Maryland, but you do need to update your address.
Updating Your Address: If you move, even within the same county, it’s essential to update your voter registration address to ensure you receive the correct ballot and voting information for your new location. You can update your address using the Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR). You can also notify your local board of elections in writing or by submitting a new voter registration application. Importantly, if you complete a change of address form at the MVA, this information can be sent to your local board of elections to update your voter registration automatically, unless you opt out.
Updating Your Name: If you legally change your name, you should also update your voter registration record. You can do this through the OLVR system or by notifying your local board of elections.
Transgender Voters and Gender Updates: Maryland is committed to ensuring inclusivity in voter registration. Transgender voters can update their gender on their voter record using the OLVR system or by notifying their local board of elections. The voter registration forms offer options for Male, Female, and Unspecified or Other. If you have already updated your name and gender with the MVA, and have not opted out of sharing your information, your voter record will be updated automatically.
Cancelling Your Voter Registration
In certain situations, you may need to cancel your voter registration, for example, if you move out of Maryland permanently. To cancel your voter registration, you must notify your local board of elections in writing with a signed notice. You can also send a cancellation using the Voter Registration Cancellation Form (PDF) to the State Board of Elections. After submitting a cancellation, you can verify it through the voter look-up website.
Changing Political Party Affiliation
If you are already registered to vote and wish to change your political party affiliation, you can do so. You can change parties using the Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) or by submitting a new voter registration application or a signed written request to your local board of elections. Be aware of deadlines to change party affiliation before primary elections.
Maryland recognizes several political parties. For the most up-to-date list of recognized parties, consult the Maryland State Board of Elections website.
Understanding “where do I live” is fundamental to voter registration. Your residency in Maryland determines your eligibility and where you register and vote. By following these guidelines, you can ensure you are properly registered and ready to participate in upcoming elections in Maryland.
