O'Malley Proposes Expanding Early Voting

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley is proposing legislation to increase the number of early voting days from six to eight and to allow people to register at the polls just before they vote early.

The Washington Post  obtained a draft of the bill, which O'Malley is expected to propose Friday in Annapolis.

A gubernatorial spokeswoman says the bill is "about providing more opportunities for citizens to register and vote."

Maryland Republican Party Executive Director David Ferguson says same-day registration invites voter fraud. He expressed further concern, saying he's "suspicious" anytime "Democrats start messing with election law."

Voters in many large jurisdictions stood in line for hours during last fall's early-voting days. According to the State Board of Elections, three times as many Democrats as Republicans took advantage of the opportunity.

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