When a voter registration application is received by a local board, the local board shall: if the applicant resides in the county of the local board, determine whether the applicant is qualified to become a registered voter; or if the applicant resides in a different county in the State, immediately forward the application to the proper county. The information contained in the voter registration application for a qualified applicant shall be electronically entered into the statewide voter registration list on an expedited basis at the time voter registration information is provided to the local board and shall be assigned to the county in which the applicant resides unless registration is closed pursuant to § 3–302 of this subtitle. The election director in the county where an applicant resides shall send a voter acknowledgment notice, in a format prescribed by the State Board, to each applicant informing the applicant whether he or she is qualified to become registered, and, if not qualified, the reasons why. A voter notification card sent to a qualified applicant may serve as a voter acknowledgment notice. The voter notification card shall contain the name and address of the voter, the date of issue, and the district or ward and precinct of the voter. The card is evidence that the individual to whom it is issued is a registered voter on the date appearing on the card. The election director shall issue a replacement card on request of the voter and a new card when a relevant change is made in the voter’s registration record if the voter continues to reside in the county.

Except as provided under §§ 3–305 and 3–306 of this subtitle, registration is closed during the period specified in this subsection. Voter registration closes beginning on the 21st day preceding an election at: 5 p.m. for applications and changes to voter registration records submitted by a method other than through the State Board’s online voter registration system; and 11:59 p.m. for applications and changes to voter registration records submitted through the State Board’s online voter registration system. Voter registration reopens on the 11th day after an election. A voter registration application received when registration is closed shall be accepted and retained by a local board, but the registration of the applicant does not become effective until registration reopens. A voter registration application that is received by the local board after the close of registration shall be considered timely received for the next election provided: there is sufficient evidence, as determined by the local board pursuant to regulations adopted by the State Board, that the application was mailed on or before registration was closed for that election; or the application was submitted by the voter to the Motor Vehicle Administration, a voter registration agency, another local board, or the State Board prior to the close of registration.

Notification of a change of party affiliation or a change to or from a decline may be made: by information provided on a voter registration application by the same methods provided for registration under Subtitle 2 of this title; by written notice, signed by the voter and sent by mail or otherwise delivered to the local board in the county where the voter’s current voter registration address is located or to which the voter has moved; by making application in person at the office of the local board in the county where the voter’s current voter registration address is located or to which the voter has moved; by information on a voter authority card or other appropriate form filled out in a polling place; or by changing a name or address with the Motor Vehicle Administration. Party affiliation changes or changes to or from a decline: shall be processed at any time that registration is open; and except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, may not be processed when registration is closed. If a local board receives a request for a party affiliation change after the close of registration, the local board shall make the change and it shall become effective for the next election provided: there is sufficient evidence, as determined by the local boards pursuant to regulations adopted by the State Board, that the request was mailed on or before the close of registration for that election; or the request was submitted by the voter to the Motor Vehicle Administration, a voter registration agency, another local board, or the State Board on or before the close of registration for that election.

Notification of a change of address or of a change of name may be made: by information provided on a voter registration application by the same methods provided for registration pursuant to Subtitle 2 of this title; by written notice, signed by the voter and sent by mail or otherwise delivered to the local board in the county where the voter’s current voter registration address is located or to which the voter has moved; by making application in person at the office of the local board in the county where the voter’s current voter registration address is located or to which the voter has moved; by information on a voter authority card or other appropriate form filled out in a polling place; or by changing a name or address with the Motor Vehicle Administration. Except as provided by regulations adopted by the State Board, name and address changes may not be processed when registration is closed. The local board in the county in which the voter resides shall electronically enter the change of name or address into the statewide voter registration list on an expedited basis at the time the information is provided to the local board.

During early voting, an individual may appear in person at an early voting center in the individual’s county of residence and apply to register to vote or change the voter’s address on an existing voter registration. When applying to register to vote during early voting, the applicant shall provide proof of residency. The applicant shall prove residency by showing the election judge: a Maryland driver’s license or Maryland identification card that contains the applicant’s current address; or if the applicant does not have a driver’s license or identification card that contains the applicant’s current address, a copy of an official document that: meets the requirements established by the State Board; and contains the applicant’s name and current address. When an individual applies to register to vote at an early voting center, the election judge shall determine whether the applicant resides in the county in which the applicant applied and is qualified to become a registered voter. If the voter is a resident of the county and is qualified to register to vote, the election judge shall: issue the voter a voter authority card; have the voter sign the voter authority card; and issue the voter a ballot. When a voter applies to change the voter’s address during early voting, the election judge shall determine whether the voter resides in the county in which the voter seeks to vote. If the voter is a resident of the county, the election judge shall: issue the voter a voter authority card; have the voter sign the voter authority card; and issue the voter the appropriate ballot for the voter’s new address. The State Board shall adopt regulations and procedures in accordance with the requirements of this section for the administration of voter registration during early voting.

On election day, an individual may appear at a precinct polling place in the individual’s county of residence and apply to register to vote. When applying to register to vote on election day, the applicant shall provide proof of residency. The applicant shall prove residency by showing the election judge: a Maryland driver’s license or Maryland identification card that contains the applicant’s current address; or if the applicant does not have a driver’s license or identification card that contains the applicant’s current address, a copy of an official document that: meets the requirements established by the State Board; and contains the applicant’s name and current address. When an individual applies to register to vote at a precinct polling place on election day, the election judge shall determine whether the applicant resides in the precinct in which the applicant applied and is qualified to become a registered voter. If the voter is a resident of the precinct and is qualified to register to vote, the election judge shall: issue the voter a voter authority card; have the voter sign the voter authority card; and issue the voter a regular ballot. If the voter is a resident of the county but not the precinct, is qualified to register to vote, and chooses to vote in the precinct, the election judge shall: issue the voter a voter authority card; have the voter sign the voter authority card; and issue the voter a provisional ballot. Unless a local board elects to make the notification, the State Board shall take appropriate measures to notify potential registrants of the correct precinct polling place for the potential registrants’ residence addresses before each election. The election judge shall notify an individual who applies to register to vote at the incorrect precinct for the voter’s residence address of the correct precinct for the voter’s residence address. The State Board shall adopt regulations and procedures in accordance with the requirements of this section for the administration of voter registration on election day.