Election Law - Unaffiliated Voters - Open Primary Elections

HB 496 would allow Maryland voters unaffiliated with any political party to choose either the "unaffiliated voters" primary ballot or any political party's primary ballot in a primary election. It specifically prevents these voters from automatically becoming affiliated with a party simply by voting in that party's primary. The bill amends election law to clarify this choice and ensures unaffiliated voters cannot cast more than one primary ballot. This directly affects unaffiliated voters in Maryland's primary elections, changing how they participate without altering their party registration status. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.