MODEL BILLS

Election Day Registration Act

Summary: The Election Day Registration Act allows qualified individuals with proof of residence to register at a local precinct and vote on Election Day.

Based on Maryland SB 449 (2019)

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act shall be called the “Election Day Registration Act.”

SECTION 2. PURPOSE

This law is enacted to make voting more accessible to qualified individuals while protecting the integrity of the voting system.

SECTION 3. REGISTRATION ON ELECTION DAY

After section XXX, the following new section XXX shall be inserted:

ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION

(1) On Election Day, an individual may appear at a precinct polling place in the individual’s county of residence and apply to apply to register to vote.

(2) When applying to register to vote on Election Day, the applicant shall provide proof of residency by showing the election judge:

(a) A [State] driver’s license or [State] identification card that contains the applicant’s current address; or

(b) If the applicant does not have a driver’s license or identification card that contains the applicants current address, a copy of an official document that meets the requirements established by the [State Board of Elections] and contains the applicant’s name and current address.

(3) When an individual applies to register to vote at a precinct polling place on Election Day, the election judge shall determine whether the applicant resides in the precinct and is qualified to become a registered voter.

(4) If the voter is a resident of the precinct and is qualified to register to vote, the election judge shall issue the voter a voter authority card, have the voter sign the voter authority card, and issue the voter a regular ballot.

(5) If the voter is a resident of the county but not the precinct, is qualified to register to vote, and chooses to vote in the precinct, the election judge shall issue the voter a voter authority card; have the voter sign the voter authority card, and issue the voter a provisional ballot.

(6) The election judge shall notify an individual who applies to register to vote at the incorrect precinct for the voter’s residence address of the correct precinct for the voter’s residence address.

(7) Unless a [local board] elects to make the notification, the [State Board] shall take appropriate measures to notify potential registrants of the correct precinct polling place for the potential registrants’ residence addresses before each election.

(8) [The State Board of Elections] shall adopt regulations and procedures in accordance with the requirements of this section for the administration of voter registration on Election Day.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

This law shall become effective on July 1, 20XX.