A018-9900

10	AN ACT CONCERNING



20		An Income Tax Credit for Voter Participation in Maryland General Elections



30	FOR the purpose of increasing the voter turnout



60	BY adding to

70		Article - Income Tax

80		Title 10

90		Annotated Code of Maryland

100		1999 Volume



110				Preamble



120	WHEREAS:	Voting is the foundation of democratic society; and,



130	WHEREAS:	Voter turnout in the State of Maryland, as with most states, is consistently

140			below 50 percent; and,



140	WHEREAS:	Voting is an important civic, but not compulsory, duty of American citizens

150			that is often disregarded; and,



160	WHEREAS:	Increased voter participation leads to more informed, educated

170			choices for public offices; and,

  		 

180	WHEREAS:	Many Americans are under the impression that their vote, or one vote, will

190			not make a difference; and,



200	WHEREAS:	Many politically indifferent Americans site that there is no incentive for

210			them to vote that outweighs the time taken out of their days to go to the polls; and,



220	WHEREAS:	Aggressive advertising campaigns to increase voter turnout have not

230			accomplished their intended difference; and,



240	WHEREAS:	Currently, the United States has its largest budget surplus in recent history; and,



250	WHEREAS:	Any Americans desire lower taxes; and,



260	WHEREAS:	A small, symbolic Maryland state income tax credit would encourage voters to

270		       fulfill their civic duty by coming to the polls, while not significantly decreasing funds

280			collected by the government.



290	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE MARYLAND STUDENT LEGISLATURE:



300			Article - Tax Credit for Proof of Voter Participation

310	S 1

 320	That each citizen may receive a tax credit of 1 percent off their total gross reported income 

330	with submission of an official poll receipt; and,



340	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, that the Maryland State Election Board

350		issue, official signed, dated, and stamped receipts to voters at the elections polls upon the

360		submission of ballots to the election officials; and,



370	SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, the this act take effect on November 1, 

380		2001.



390	MANDATES:	Governor Parris N. Glendening

400			Maryland State Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr.

410			Maryland State Comptroller William Donald Schaffer





Sponsor:

Gary Krupka

4800 Berwyn House #608

College Park, MD 20740

301-446-0472