Vote No on Question 1 by the Joint Republican Caucus

VOTE NO ON QUESTION 1

House and Senate Republicans Oppose Early Voting Amendment

October 29, 2008

The Joint Republican Caucus comprised of legislators in the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates are urging citizens to vote against Question 1 - a constitutional amendment that would authorize early voting in Maryland.

“Until Maryland requires that a voter present a photo identification card at the polls, early voting should be rejected because it opens the door to greater election fraud in our state,” said Senate Minority Leader Allan Kittleman. “When organizations like ACORN create the fraudulent voter registrations throughout our country, there is no checks and balances on a voter’s identity under any early voting system.”

Ballot Question 1 authorizes early voting up to 10 days prior to Election Day, allows people to vote outside of the district and precinct they are registered, and authorizes absentee balloting on demand. The Democratic leadership in Maryland has repeatedly rejected legislation that would require voter identification at the polls as a safeguard against voter fraud.

“Early voting without the appropriate safeguards threatens the legitimacy of our elections,” said House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell. “This amendment not only authorizes early voting but also allows people to vote anywhere in the State, regardless of where they were registered. Given that Maryland does not require photo identification for voting, this provision is ripe for fraud. We call on the citizens of Maryland to protect the integrity of their elections and reject this constitutional amendment.”

The Maryland General Assembly passed provisions for early voting during the 2005 and 2006 legislative sessions. The early voting statutes were challenged on constitutional grounds in Lamone v. Capozzi and were overturned by Maryland’s Court of Appeals. Currently, the only way early voting can be authorized in Maryland is through a constitutional amendment.

“Maryland does not need early voting,” said Minority Whip Christopher Shank. “We already have provisions for absentee balloting. If you are unable to vote at the polls on Election Day you may request an absentee ballot and mail in your vote. This makes the entire early voting system both duplicative and unnecessary.”

“Early voting will push another unfunded mandate on local governments, requiring higher staffing and operational costs to open polling places for up to ten days prior to Election Day,” said Senate Minority Whip Nancy Jacobs. “As we saw in February’s Primary Election, local election boards are already having major difficulties finding election judges for a single Election Day. How are they going to be able to find them for additional days?”

20081029 Vote No on Question 1 by the Joint Republican Caucus