Gov. O'Malley and MD Democrats: Yes on Question 1, Early Voting

Governor Martin O’Malley: Vote “Yes” on Early Voting

Early Voting Serves People and Democracy

Democrats Support Flexible Options for Maryland Voters

Annapolis, MD – Early voting is good for voters and great for Democracy. So said a host of Maryland Democrats today at two news conferences held in the state’s capitol and in the shadows of the nation’s capitol.

Governor Martin O’Malley spoke with and for a broad collection of Maryland leaders who have championed voting rights and early voting measures in their careers as they urged Marylanders to cast their vote for Ballot Question 1: Early Voting.

“As freedom’s greatest privilege, voting should be open and accessible to more Marylanders rather than fewer,” said Governor O’Malley.  “The people of Maryland have the opportunity on Tuesday to approve a Constitutional Amendment that will allow Maryland to join the 35 other states that allow some form of early voting.  I encourage all Maryland voters to approve both Questions 1 and 2 on Tuesday.”

 The Maryland General Assembly passed early voting measures in 2005 only to see the laws and practices – common in many other states – overturned by the Maryland Court of Appeals based on a strict interpretation of Maryland’s Constitution. Back to the drawing board, the Maryland General Assembly and Gov. O’Malley enacted legislation to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot next Tuesday. If it passes it will give lawmakers the opportunity to create “in person” early voting and much more.

“I am proud to say it has been Democrats in the General Assembly and Gov. O’Malley who gave us this opportunity to create real change in voting and expanded convenience for voters,” said Michael Cryor, Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. “We hear from voters every day who wonder why they can’t yet vote early. They’re saying they want what millions of Americans in most states are using right now; the opportunity to vote when it’s convenient to them. Vote “yes” on Ballot Question 1.”

Gov. O’Malley and Michael Cryor were joined today by Speaker Michael Busch, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger and voting rights advocate Del. Sandy Rosenberg.

In a separate news conference in Largo, Maryland Senator Ben Cardin urged voters to approval Ballot Question 1. He stood with Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson and a number of state senators and delegates who support early voting in all its various forms and vowed to implement an early voting system that serves the needs and desires of all Maryland voters when Ballot Question 1 is approved by the voters.