Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 1-303.2 - "Baltimore City centralized booking facility(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.(2) "Correctional facility" means a facility for detaining or confining individuals that is operated by a correctional unit.(3) "Correctional unit" has the meaning stated in § 2-401(b) of the Correctional Services Article.(4) "Eligible voter" means an individual who: (i) is incarcerated in a correctional facility; and(ii) has the right to vote under State law.(b) The State Board shall adopt regulations establishing a program to inform eligible voters of upcoming elections and how eligible voters may exercise the right to vote.(c) The regulations adopted under subsection (b) of this section shall require the State Board or local boards to: (1) disseminate information on eligibility requirements to register to vote and voter registration applications to eligible voters at least 30 days before the deadline to register to vote before each election;(2) disseminate instructions on absentee voting, absentee ballot applications, and absentee ballots before each election in a timely manner;(3) provide frequent opportunities for eligible voters to register to vote and to vote; and(4) provide for the timely return of voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications, and absentee ballots completed by eligible voters.(d) Each correctional facility shall cooperate fully with the State Board and the local boards in implementing the program required under this section.(e) On or before January 15 each year, the State Board shall submit a report to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, that includes the following information, disaggregated by correctional facility:(1) the number of eligible voters who registered to vote, attempted to vote, and voted successfully by absentee ballot during the immediately preceding calendar year;(2) the number of times the State Board or a local board of elections visited each correctional facility during the immediately preceding calendar year, the duration of each visit, and a description of the work done at each correctional facility;(3) a description of any obstacles to implementing this section or § 2-501 of the Correctional Services Article; and(4) any recommendations for improving the implementation of this section or § 2-501 of the Correctional Services Article.Added by 2021 Md. Laws, Ch. 646,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2021.