SB 93 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Election Law - Absentee Ballots - Notice to Request Application

SB 93 requires Maryland local election boards to mail the state-approved absentee ballot application to every eligible voter at least 60 days before statewide primary elections. This applies to all voters who do not already have permanent absentee ballot status. The bill modifies election law to ensure voters receive the application well in advance of primaries, with the exception of those with permanent absentee status under existing rules. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2024

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Oct 29, 2024 Signed May 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Election Law - Absentee Ballot Application - Sending to Eligible Voters Before Primary Elections → Third - Election Law - Absentee Ballots - Notice to Request Application · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change its focus from requiring the mailing of absentee ballot applications to requiring the mailing of a notice about how to request an absentee ballot application. This change also adds language about mail-in voting awareness and includes additional exceptions for when the notice does not need to be sent.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from requiring the actual absentee ballot application to be mailed to requiring a notice about requesting the application, with added provisions for mail-in voting awareness.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement from sending the absentee ballot application itself to sending a written notice about how to request the application.

Added requirement to include a specimen ballot and any other mailings related to mail-in voting awareness.

Added two new exceptions for when the notice is not required: for voters with permanent absentee ballot status or those who have been contacted more than once per election.

SCOPE

Expanded the bill's scope to include provisions about mailings to voters and eligible voters for a certain purpose, except under certain circumstances.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2025

How they voted

42–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 46

Feb 28, 2025

D Democratic33

30 Yea 3

90% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 310

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion Recede (Delegate Atterbeary) Adopted

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Senate Refuses Concur House Amendments

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 25, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (102-36-1)

house of delegates

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Ways and Means

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (42-0-4)

senate

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Oct 29, 2024

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors