MD HB1280

Unaffiliated voters may request to affiliate with a political party at an early voting center during a primary election and immediately vote a ballot for that party.

Election judges must verify the voter resides in the county where they seek to vote before processing the party affiliation change.

Upon verification, election judges must issue the voter a voter authority card, have the voter sign it, and provide a ballot for the appropriate political party.

Amends Maryland Election Law Sections 3-303 and 3-305 to add this same-day party affiliation option during early voting periods.

Effective date: October 1, 2025.