The Senate has passed SB 423, a constitutional amendment that would enable future legislation to create election day registration in Maryland.

MACo had raised concerns that the eventual implementation of election day registration could prove costly and difficult – potentially increasing voter wait times. While SB 423 does not actually set of the process, it represents a necessary first step toward that end, as the state constitution currently specifies details of the voter registration process. If passed by the General Assembly, the constitutional amendment would be placed on the ballot for statewide voter approval in 2018. See MACo’s testimony on SB 423.

The House Ways and Means Committee has not yet acted on the crossfiled bill, HB 345.