FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MVA Reminds Citizens that Voter Registration Deadline is Approaching
MVA Customers Can Apply to Register to Vote While Getting a Driver's License or State ID Card

GLEN BURNIE, MD (September 30, 2008) - The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) wants to remind citizens that the deadline to APPLY to register to vote in the upcoming 2008 Presidential General Election is October 14, 2008.  This is also the deadline for registered voters who have moved since the last election to change their address.

MVA customers who are U.S. citizens have the opportunity to APPLY to register to vote or update voter registration information at any MVA branch office as part of a driver's license or State identification card transaction.

"This is all about convenience and giving as many citizens as possible the opportunity to register to vote," said Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari.  "If you are already at the MVA to conduct a drivers license or photo identification transaction, it only makes sense that those eligible be able to apply to register to vote at the same time."

To vote in the upcoming general election, Maryland residents who are eligible to vote but are not yet registered - including 17 year olds who will be 18 years of age or older on or before the upcoming general election - must complete a voter registration application.  That application is then forwarded to the appropriate County Board of Elections.  A citizen is formally registered to vote only when they receive a voter's card in the mail from the appropriate County Board of Elections.

The MVA is just one of a number of convenient locations where voter registration applications are available.  They can also be obtained at the following locations:

• Local Board of Elections
• State Department of Health
• Local Department of Social Services offices
• Offices on Aging
• Division of Rehabilitation Services
• Public Institutions of Higher Education
• Marriage License Bureaus
• Post Offices
• Public Libraries

The 2008 Presidential General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

For more voter registration information you can visit the MVA website at www.marylandmva.com/MVA-Programs/motorvoter.htm.  Citizens also can contact the State Board of Elections at 1-800-222-VOTE (8623) or visit www.elections.state.md.us.

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