Statement: Student and Military Voter Empowerment Act Moves through Maryland House

Maryland PIRG

ANNAPOLIS – In a bipartisan vote, today the Maryland House voted 107-28 to pass the Student and Military Voter Empowerment Act (SB283), which reduces the barriers that students and military members face when registering to vote and turning out. This comes after the Senate passed SB283 on March 9th.

The Student and Military Voter Empowerment Act, sponsored by Sen. Elfreth and Del. Luedtke, allows military members to use their military ID to register to vote online, ensures college students get the information they need to vote, and has local Boards of Elections work with large residential communities in their district. 

The legislation moves back to the Senate to reconcile an amendment made by the House, then moves to Gov. Hogan’s desk. 

In response, Maryland PIRG Democracy Associate Rishi Shah issued the following statement: 

“This is a big win for civic engagement and our democracy. The full participation of young people in the political process is essential to a truly representative, vibrant democracy. Helping students and military members register and vote will increase civic participation for years to come.

The Student and Military Voter Empowerment Act will help build a more robust democracy and we encourage Gov. Hogan to sign it.”