Election Law – Pretrial Detainees – Absentee Ballots

SB 991 requires Maryland’s State Board of Elections to automatically mail absentee ballots to registered voters in pretrial detention at Baltimore City’s centralized booking facility, eliminating the need for them to submit separate applications. It mandates the facility to provide a secure, 24/7 ballot drop box for returning ballots and voter materials, along with written instructions for eligible voters. The bill also requires Baltimore City’s local election board to collect ballots weekly, submit them to the State Board, and report annual data on ballot submissions to legislative committees. This applies only to pretrial detainees who are registered voters with voting rights under Maryland law.