CONTACT: Sara Love, Public Policy Director, 703-963-2710, love@aclu-md.org

Sirine Shebaya, Liman Fellow, Immigrants Rights; shebaya@aclu-md.org   

ANNAPOLIS - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland on Thursday will laud the signing of several bills that will improve the civil liberties landscape in the state of Maryland. Governor Martin O'Malley is scheduled to sign bills to repeal the death penalty, expand access to driver licenses for undocumented immigrants, and begin same-day voter registration during early voting. These three bills were among the top legislative priorities for the ACLU of Maryland during the 2013 Maryland General Assembly.  

The ACLU has advocated for decades for the repeal of the death penalty, because the death penalty is racially biased, expensive, and carries the risk of convicting and executing an innocent person.  While funding for helping the families of the victims was eliminated from the bill, we trust the Governor will include this funding another way.

The ACLU believes that expanding access to driver's licenses will enable more Maryland residents to meet their basic daily needs and will provide critical civil rights protections for our aspiring citizens by shielding them from unnecessary harassment and abuse. 

Voting is the defining act of citizenship and the ACLU believes that same-day registration will encourage eligible voter participation by making the act of voting more accessible.

WHAT: Bill signing by Governor Martin O'Malley

WHO: ACLU of Maryland staff, amongst other groups

WHEN: Thursday May 2, 2013; Signing ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Maryland Statehouse, Annapolis, Maryland

###