Election Law - Affiliating With a Party and Voting - Unaffiliated Voters

HB 1280 allows unaffiliated voters in Maryland to choose a political party during early voting for primary elections. Specifically, it permits voters who have not affiliated with a party to request affiliation at an early voting center in their county before a primary election. If residency is confirmed, election judges issue a voter authority card and a ballot for the chosen party. This change applies only to early voting periods before primary elections, not general elections, and takes effect October 1, 2025.