Md. Senate Passes Early Voting Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Senate has passed a measure that would increase the number of early voting centers in some jurisdictions.

The Senate voted 35-12 in favor of the bill Monday night. The measure now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Supporters of the measure say the bill's aim is to minimize long wait times at early voting centers experienced by voters in the November election.

Opponents of the legislation argued that a provision that allows early voters to register and cast their ballot on the same day could lead to fraud.

The bill had been previously amended to allow counties larger than 400 square miles, but with fewer than 125,000 registered voters, to increase early voting centers from one to two -- to cut down on voter travel time.

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