HB 496 — Maryland

Election Law - Unaffiliated Voters - Open Primary Elections

Authorizing a voter unaffiliated with a political party to vote the ballot for unaffiliated voters or the ballot of the political party of the voter's choice in a primary election; and prohibiting a voter unaffiliated with a political party who votes the ballot of a political party in a primary election from automatically becoming affiliated with the political party whose ballot the voter voted.

Latest action: Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m. · Feb 6, 2026

Synopsis written by the legislature's own staff, as published on the official bill page. Status label is derived from the recorded actions. The full text below is the record.

Committees: Government, Labor, and Elections (House of Delegates)

Updated Mar 17, 2026