Restoration of Voting Rights

Voting While Incarcerated in a Correctional Facility

1. Am I allowed to register to vote while I am incarcerated in a Maryland correctional facility?

   • Yes, you can register to vote while in a Maryland correctional facility if you have been:
     • Arrested and are being held for a felony or a misdemeanor crime; or
     • Convicted and sentenced to a period of incarceration for a misdemeanor crime.
2. Am I allowed to request a mail-in-ballot and vote

   • Yes, you can register to vote while in a Maryland correctional facility if you have been:
     • Arrested and are being held for a felony or a misdemeanor crime; or
     • Convicted and sentenced to a period of incarceration for a misdemeanor crime.
3. How do I get a voter registration application or request a mail-in-ballot while I am incarcerated?

   • Each correctional facility administrator identifies eligible incarcerated individuals and provides each of them with Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) Voting Packet.
     • If you are not registered to vote, you must first complete and mail in a Voter Registration Application to your local board of elections.
     • If you are already registered to vote, you must complete and mail in a Mail-in-Ballot Request to your local board of elections.
     
     

     If you do not automatically receive an SBE Voting Packet, you can request one from a correctional officer or a case manager. You may also write to the State Board of Elections for a SBE Voting Packet.
     

     The SBE Voting Packet contains a Voter Registration Application, Mail-In-Ballot Request, and pre-paid stamped envelopes in order to return the documents to your local board of elections.
4. How do I cast my ballot while incarcerated?

   • Once you receive your mail-in-ballot and complete it according to the instructions, you may mail the ballot to your local elections board or, if the correctional facility where you are housed has a designated and secure ballot box you may deposit your ballot there. Designated state or local board elections employees collect the ballots from the secured ballot box.
5. How will I know when to request a mail-in-ballot or cast my vote?

   • If you are in a DPSCS correctional facility all of the deadlines for submitting applications, requesting a mail-in-ballot, and casting your ballot are available on your tablet computer.
     
     Every housing unit in every correctional facility and other facility common areas will have posters on the walls with all of the deadlines and dates to vote.
6. What if I need help reading or completing my Voter Registration Application, Mail-in-Ballot Request, or my Ballot?

   • If an eligible individual has a disability, is unable to read or write, or has limited English proficiency, the eligible individual may make a request for an ADA accommodation in accordance with the procedures established in DPSCS.200.0007 - ADA Title II Non-discrimination and Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities to receive assistance completing a VRA, MIBR, and ballot.