Maryland Republican Party Announces Opposition to Early Voting Amendment

Annapolis – Chairman Jim Pelura today announced the Maryland Republican Party’s opposition to the constitutional amendment that would establish early voting in Maryland. Ballot Question 1 authorizes early voting for 10 days prior to Election Day and allows people to vote outside of the district and precinct they are registered. It also gives the General Assembly the authority to pick and choose which sites will have early voting, so that certain areas will be favored over others because of their political makeup.

“Early voting without the appropriate safeguards threatens the legitimacy of our elections,” said Chairman Pelura. “This amendment not only authorizes early voting but also allows people to vote anywhere in the State, regardless of where they are registered. Given that Maryland does not require photo identification for voting, this provision is ripe for fraud. When we consider the recent reports of serious voter fraud in Ohio and several other states, the choice that Maryland voters face becomes clear. The Maryland Republican Party calls on the citizens of Maryland to protect the integrity of their elections and reject this constitutional amendment.”

“Early voting is as unnecessary as it is risky to the integrity of our system,” Chairman Pelura continued. “Maryland allows anyone to vote absentee and does not require them to give a reason. If a resident wants to vote early, he or she can request an absentee ballot and mail it back in, before Election Day.”

“We are also concerned that this provision will increase costs on our state and local election boards. At a time when even Governor O’Malley is talking about reducing spending, this would seem to fly in the face of reality,” said Dr. Pelura. The costs involved in opening polling places ten days prior to Election Day are extremely high.”

“Finally, voter turnout in states with early voting has not greatly improved,” Pelura concluded. “Why pass a measure that taxes our state and county resources AND threaten the credibility of our voting system when there is no real need? Voter turnout in Maryland is among the highest in the United States. We should not pass this constitutional amendment.