Maryland Elections FAQ and Rumor Control

Great FAQ on Maryland election laws: http://elections.state.md.us/voting/election_day_questions.html#_Toc190229206

and page on rumors: http://elections.state.md.us/press_room/rumor_control.html#card


Voter Registration Card

Rumor: If the name that appears on the voters registration card does not match exactly as it appears on your driver’s license you will not be allowed to vote on November 4th. The authorities at the polls will turn you away, flat out.

FACT: This is not correct for several reasons:

* For voter registration purposes, the voter must use his or her legal name. However, there is no requirement that it be the full legal name. For example, you are not required to use your middle name on your voter registration application.
* Most voters in Maryland are not required to show any identification such as their voter registration card or their driver’s license. (Some first time voters and voters who did not provide certain information on the voter registration application are are required to show identification).
* Voters are only required to provide their name when they check in to vote. A pollworker will confirm the voter’s identity by having the voter provide his or her month and day of birth.
* No voter in Maryland is simply turned away. Instead, all voters are given the opportunity to vote a provisional ballot.

Rumor: I need my voter registration card to vote.

FACT: You do not need your voter notification card to vote. When you check in to vote, you'll be asked to provide your name, month and date of birth, and address.

College Students

Rumor: If a college student registers to vote at the student’s college address the student’s parents will not be able to claim the student as a dependent for tax purposes.

FACT: Registering to vote in Maryland alone will not jeopardize a parent's ability to claim a student as a dependent for tax purposes.

Campaign Merchandise

Rumor: If I wear a campaign button or t-shirt into the polling place, will I be allowed to vote?

FACT: A voter may wear campaign paraphernalia (buttons, t-shirts, or stickers) into the polling place while he or she is there to vote (the voter may not linger in the polling place after voting). However, an election judge, challenger and watcher, or other person stationed inside the polling place or within 100 feet of the polling place may not wear or display campaign materials.


Much more at link http://elections.state.md.us/press_room/rumor_control.html#card

If you haven't checked your voter registration, go here right away: http://www.mdelections.umd.edu/voter_registration/v2/vote_prod.php

If you're not registered, contact your local Board of Elections right away!!


More on Identification

Do I need to show identification before voting?

It depends. You will be asked to provide identification if:

* You are voting for the first time in Maryland;
* You registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003; and
* You have not previously met the identification requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act.

If you registered to vote after January 1, 2006, you most likely satisfied the identification requirement during the registration process. If you did not satisfy the requirement, your local board of elections will have notified you and requested information to satisfy the identification requirement. (See list below.)
You can satisfy the identification requirement by providing, at the polls, one of the following:

* Your driver's license number, MVA-issued ID card number or at least the last four digits of your social security number, and we will attempt to verify this number with MVA or the Social Security Administration. You will be contacted if election officials were unable to verify the information;
* A copy of a current and valid photo ID (i.e., Maryland driver's license, MVA-issued ID card, student, employee, or military ID card, U.S. passport, or any other State or federal government-issued ID card); or
* A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.

If you do not satisfy the identification requirement before voting for the first time, you will be required to present identification when you vote.