Maryland Voters Face Upcoming Registration Deadlines

Last day for Maryland voters to change party affiliation prior to March's Super Tuesday Primary is December 8, 2003

It may seem like next Novembers Presidential Election is far away, but voter registration deadlines are looming for citizens who would like to participate in the candidate selection process in Maryland.

Maryland holds closed primaries, which means only registered members of a political party may vote in that partys primary. So Maryland independent voters, Greens, Libertarians and Republicans would have to change party affiliation in order to vote in the Maryland Democratic Primary in March, 2004.

The deadline to change party affiliation in advance of the Primary is December 8, 2003. Changing party affiliations in Maryland is easy. A voter just needs to complete a new voter registration form and return it to their county registrar. Forms are available in libraries, Motor Vehicle offices and county registrars offices.

In order to participate in selecting the Democratic presidential nominee, voters not registered as Democrats must change their party affiliation by December 8th.

Non-registered citizens can register as Maryland Democratic voters until February 10, 2004.

Also, Maryland law allows that as long as a voter is 18 years old on Election Day, they may vote in the primary. In other words, if you were born before November 2, 1986, you may register and vote in the March primaries.

As we learned last election in Florida, individual votes do matter and you are entitled to have your voice counted. Register and vote!

For more information and downloadable forms, see the state elections website -
http://www.elections.state.md.us/