HB 694
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
House Bill 694 (Delegate Hornberger)
Ways and Means
Election Law - Offenses Related to Voting - Penalties
This bill establishes that an individual is not qualified to be a registered voter and is
ineligible to vote if (1) the individual has been convicted of willfully and knowingly voting
or attempting to vote more than once in an election and (2) less than four years have elapsed
since the date of the conviction.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill is not expected to materially affect State finances.
Local Effect: The bill is not expected to materially affect local government finances.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: Under State law, with certain exceptions, an individual may register to vote
if the individual is a citizen of the United States, is at least age 16, and is a resident of the
State as of the day the individual seeks to register. A person who had been convicted of a
felony and is currently serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment for the conviction
is not qualified to be a registered voter. A person who had been convicted of buying or
selling votes is also not qualified to be a registered voter.
A person may not willfully and knowingly (1) vote more than once for a candidate for the
same office or for the same ballot question or (2) vote or attempt to vote more than once in
the same election, or vote in more than one election district or precinct. A person who
violates either of those prohibitions is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up
to $5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to five years.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: SB 340 (Senator Gallion) - Education, Health, and Environmental
Affairs.
Information Source(s): State Board of Elections; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 5, 2021
rh/hlb
Analysis by: Scott D. Kennedy Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 694/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Election Law - Offenses Related to Voting - Penalties: 3-102 Election Law, 16-201 Election Law