State Constitution
Article 1, Section 1 of the Maryland Constitution states: “Every citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years or upwards, who is a resident of the State as of the time for the closing of registration next preceding the election, shall be entitled to vote in the ward or election district in which the citizen resides at all elections to be held in this State.”
Cities Allowing Non-Citizen Voting
Barnesville
“The qualified voters of said town having resided therein for six months previous to any town election and being eighteen years of age” Source
Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase Section 3: “Qualified Voter” shall mean any person who is a resident of Chevy Chase Section 3, without regard to citizenship, and is at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Cheverly
§ C-18.1. – Registration of voters.
modified
A.In order to qualify as a voter in the Town of Cheverly a person shall have resided in the corporate limits of the Town of Cheverly for at least thirty (30) days prior to the day of any general or special election; shall be sixteen (16) years old on or before the day of any general or special election; and shall not have been convicted of a disqualifying crime or be under the guardianship for mental disability, as provided in Md. C. A. Art. 33, Section 3-4(c) and (d).
Garrett Park
Section 78-20 Qualifications of voters. Every person who (1) legally resides within the corporate limits of the town on the day he or she registers to vote and continuously thereafter until casting his or her vote in any Garrett Park election,(2) is at least eighteen years of age, and (3) is registered in accordance with the provisions of this Charter is a qualified voter of the town. Every qualified voter of the town is entitled to vote in all town elections.” Section 78–22. Registration. The town manager shall provide for the registration of voters in a flexible and available manner in order to encourage registration and voting, consistent with the policies adopted by ordinance and the rules and procedures specified by the election judges. Qualified persons may register by universal registration with either Montgomery County or the town, or may register only with the town, including residents who are not citizens of the United States, up to and including election day. Source
Glen Echo
“Any person who is not a United States citizen, and (a) is a resident of the Town of Glen Echo,(b) is a lawful resident of the United States, and (c) except for the United States citizenship requirement, meets the voter qualifications provided in Section 501(a) may register to vote in Town elections, as set forth in Charter Section 506.” Source
Greenbelt
11.7.23 – “In Greenbelt, preliminary results showed a decisive 67 percent of voters favored expanding ballot access for local elections”
Hyattsville
You can vote in City of Hyattsville elections if you:
- Are at least 16 years of age
- Have the City of Hyattsville as your primary residence
- Do not claim the right to vote elsewhere in the U.S.
- Have not been found by a court to be unable to communicate the desire to vote
Martin’s Additions
“Per the Charter, a ‘Qualified Voter’ is any person who owns property or any resident of Martin’s Additions who is eighteen (18) years of age or over.” Source
Mount Rainier
Section 502. – Voter Qualifications.
A. Except as provided in subsection B, every person who meets all the following requirements may vote in City elections.
1. Is at least sixteen (16) years of age;
2. Is registered to vote in accordance with the provisions of this Charter; and
3. Has resided in the corporate limits of the City for at least thirty (30) days immediately preceding the next City election.
B. An individual is not eligible to be a registered voter of the City if the individual:
1. Has been convicted of a felony and is actually serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment for the conviction on Election Day;
2. Is under guardianship for mental disability and a court of competent jurisdiction has specifically found by clear and convincing evidence that the individual cannot communicate with or without accommodations, a desire to participate in the voting process; or
3.Has been convicted of buying or selling votes.
Riverdale Park
§ 501: Qualifications of Voters
(a) Every resident of the town who (1) has the Town of Riverdale Park as his or her primary residence, (2) is at least sixteen (16) years of age, (3) has resided within the corporate limits of the town for at least forty-five (45) days immediately preceding any nonrunoff town election, (4) does not claim the right to vote elsewhere in the United States, (5) has not been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote, and (6) is registered to vote in accordance with the provisions of § 503 of this charter shall be a qualified voter of the Town.
Somerset
Section 83-21 Voters.
Every person who (1) is at least sixteen (16) years of age, (2) has resided within the corporate limits of the town for fourteen (14) days next preceding any election, and (3) is registered in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, shall be a qualified voter of the town. Every qualified voter of the town shall be entitled to vote at any or all town elections. As used herein, “resided” refers to the location deemed one’s permanent abode and single domicile in the United States for voting purposes, and where one intends to return after a temporary residence elsewhere. Actual physical presence in the Town for fourteen (14) days before an election is not required. (Mont. Co. Code 1965, § 59-21; Res. 2-2-76, § 1; Res. R-3-93, 7-28-1993.)
Takoma Park
Section 601 Qualifications of Voters
(a) Every person who (1) is a resident of the City of Takoma Park, (2) is at least sixteen (16) years of age or will be sixteen (16) years of age on or before the date of the next City election, (3) does not claim voting residence or the right to vote in another jurisdiction, and (4) is registered to vote in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, is a qualified voter of the City except as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Every qualified voter of the City is entitled to vote in all City elections, to participate in the nominating meeting, and to sign nominating, referendum, recall and other petitions authorized by this Charter.
(b) An individual is not eligible to be a registered voter of the City if the individual: (1) has been convicted of a felony and is currently serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment for the conviction; (2) is under guardianship for mental disability and a court of competent jurisdiction has specifically found by clear and convincing evidence that the individual cannot communicate, with or without accommodations, a desire to participate in the voting process; or (3) has been convicted of buying or selling votes.
Cities that voted to not allow non-citizen voting
Question 2 – Non-Citizen Voting
Should Rockville allow residents who are not U.S. citizens to vote in city elections?
Number of Votes | Percent of Total Votes | |
---|---|---|
Yes | 4,208 | 33.89 |
No | 7,926 | 63.84 |
No Opinion | 281 | 2.26 |