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Bill

HB 115

Election Law - Individuals Released From State Correctional Facilities - Automatic Restoration of Voter Registration

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Charlotte Crutchfield and 4 co-sponsors

Maryland bill automatically restores voter registration for individuals released from state prisons, removing manual re-registration barriers for formerly incarcerated citizens.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 428
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 115

Legislative bill overview

HB 115 would automatically restore voter registration for individuals upon their release from state correctional facilities in Maryland, rather than requiring them to re-register manually. The bill aims to streamline the re-enfranchisement process for formerly incarcerated individuals who have completed their sentences.

Why is this important

Approximately 40,000+ individuals are released from Maryland prisons annually, many of whom lose voter registration while incarcerated. Automatic restoration removes administrative barriers that can prevent formerly incarcerated citizens from voting, directly affecting civic participation and representation in communities disproportionately impacted by incarceration. This addresses a practical implementation gap between state law (which restores voting rights upon release) and voter registration processes.

Potential points of contention

  • Accuracy and data-matching concerns: Automatically restoring registrations requires reliable coordination between correctional and elections databases; errors could register ineligible individuals or create duplicate registrations
  • Voter roll integrity debates: Opponents may argue automatic processes bypass verification safeguards, while proponents counter that manual re-registration systems fail to capture eligible voters
  • Implementation costs: Counties will need IT infrastructure updates to facilitate automatic data transfers and coordinate release notifications with election offices
  • Scope limitations: The bill covers only state facilities, leaving federal inmates and those in county jails potentially excluded from automatic restoration

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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