Proposed Maryland Signature Verification Bill for 2025 General Assembly

WHY SIGNATURE VERIFICATION IS ESSENTIAL TO ACCURATE AND TRUSTWORTHY ELECTIONS:

  • Ensures Election Integrity: Signature verification provides a layer of security to confirm that the absentee ballot was cast by the registered voter, helping prevent fraud and unauthorized voting.
  • Promotes Voter Confidence: Voters are more likely to trust the electoral process when safeguards like signature verification are in place to ensure the authenticity of ballots.
  • Balances Accessibility and Security: While absentee voting expands access, verifying signatures ensures that increased accessibility does not compromise the integrity of the election.
  • Aligns with Best Practices: Signature verification is a standard practice in many states and is a proven method for safeguarding mail-in and absentee voting systems.
  • Protects Against Misuse: By requiring a signature match, the process deters attempts to tamper with or forge absentee ballots.
  • Supports Accurate Election Outcomes: Verifying signatures reduces the risk of counting invalid ballots, ensuring that only legally cast votes are included in the final tally.
  • Maintains Uniform Standards: Establishing clear guidelines for signature verification provides consistency in election administration across jurisdictions.

A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning
Election Law – Absentee Ballots – Signature Requirements and Verification

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a local board of elections from removing an absentee ballot from a return envelope or ballot/return envelope or counting the ballot unless the return envelope or ballot/return envelope is signed by the voter and, except under certain circumstances, a witness, and requiring the local board to verify the voter’s signature; and generally relating to absentee ballots.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Election Law
Section 9–303 and 9–310(a)(5) and (c)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)

BY adding to
Article – Election Law
Section 9–310.1
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article – Election Law

9–303.
(a) The State Board shall establish guidelines for the administration of absentee voting by the local boards.

(b) The guidelines shall provide for:

  1. the application process;
  2. late application for absentee ballots;
  3. ballot security, including storage of returned ballots;
  4. determining timeliness of receipt of applications and ballots, including applications and ballots for overseas voters;
  5. the canvass process;
  6. notice of the canvass to candidates, political parties, campaign organizations, news media, and the general public;
  7. observers of the process;
  8. review of voted ballots and envelopes for compliance with the law and for machine tabulation acceptability;
  9. standards for disallowance of ballots during the canvass;
  10. storage and retention of ballots following canvass and certification;
  11. the permanent absentee ballot list; and
  12. verification of signatures on absentee ballot envelopes.

(c) The State Board shall:

  1. in consultation with the local boards, assess the guidelines before each primary election; and
  2. revise the guidelines if indicated.

9–310.
(a)(5) When voted and returned to the local board, an absentee ballot shall be enclosed in a ballot envelope or ballot/return envelope, on which has been printed oaths prescribed by the State Board.

(c) If an absentee ballot is sent by the Internet or facsimile transmission, the local board shall provide the voter with an envelope template, the oaths prescribed by the State Board, and instructions for marking and returning the absentee ballot.

9–310.1.

(a) Definitions.
In this section, “uniformed services” has the meaning stated in 10 U.S.C. § 101.

(b) Conditions for Opening or Counting Ballots.
A local board may not remove an absentee ballot from the return envelope or ballot/return envelope or count the ballot unless:

  1. The return envelope or ballot/return envelope is signed by:
    i. The voter to whom the ballot was issued; and
    ii. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a witness other than the voter to whom the ballot was issued; and
  2. The voter’s signature is verified as provided in subsection (d) of this section.

(c) Witness Signature Exemption.
The witness signature requirement under subsection (b)(1)(ii) of this section does not apply to an absentee ballot that is voted and returned by:

  1. An active-duty member of the uniformed services who is serving overseas; or
  2. The spouse or dependent of an active-duty member of the uniformed services who is serving overseas if the spouse or dependent lives overseas.

(d) Signature Verification.
Each local board shall verify the signature of the voter on the return envelope or ballot/return envelope by comparing the signature with the voter’s registration record in accordance with regulations adopted by the State Board.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED,
That this Act shall take effect October 1, 2025.