Support HB0496: A Bipartisan Path to Stronger Voter Turnout

I am writing to urge your support for HB0496, sponsored by Delegates Qi and Schmidt. This bipartisan bill offers a common-sense solution to modernizing our elections by allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections without being forced to formally join a political party. Maryland’s independent voter block is one of the fastest-growing segments of our electorate. Currently, these citizens are effectively taxed for elections in which they are denied a meaningful vote. By allowing them to choose a Republican, Democratic, or unaffiliated ballot, HB0496 ensures that our democratic process is more inclusive and representative of all Marylanders. This encourages broader civic engagement and ensures that the candidates who reach the general election have been vetted by a wider, more diverse cross-section of the community. This provides a vital opportunity to reach out to independent voters early in the cycle, helping to build a broader coalition for the general election. Most importantly, it reduces the "all-or-nothing" polarization of our politics by centering the voices of everyday citizens who value pragmatism over party labels. Passage of HB0496 would signal that Maryland values every voter’s voice, regardless of their registration status. I ask that you cosponsor, or at the very least, support this important legislation.