Bill > SB89

This bill, known as the Voting Rights for All Act, makes significant changes to Maryland's election laws concerning incarcerated individuals and voter eligibility. It mandates that the State Board of Elections establish a toll-free voter hotline specifically for incarcerated individuals to access voting information, request materials, and report any violations of their voting rights, with the State Board required to create regulations for its operation in conjunction with correctional facilities. Crucially, the bill removes the disqualification for voting based on a felony conviction if the individual is currently serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, thereby restoring voting rights to many individuals who were previously disenfranchised while incarcerated. Additionally, it eliminates the requirement for clerks of court to report individuals convicted of felonies and sentenced to imprisonment to the State Administrator for voter registration purposes, and also removes provisions that made it a felony for an incarcerated person to vote. The bill also updates reporting requirements for deceased individuals to include those at least 16 years old and clarifies that individuals under 18 can vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the general or special election.