Dem voter registration soars over GOP in MD

The state Democratic Party says voter registration numbers are soaring in its favor because it's assembled the right team, but the state GOP argues Democrats may be playing the game with an unfair advantage.

For each presidential election since 1992, Democratic registration has remained relatively steady in the 53 percent to 57 percent range according to new figures released by the State Board of Elections. The Republicans' share of registered voters has decreased from 29 percent to 19 percent.  

By the end of 2008, the SBOE projects there will be 216,824 registered Democrats in the state, 73,044 Republicans and 95,822 registered voters who are either unaffiliated or belong to a third party. These projections leave Democrats ahead of Republicans at a ratio of nearly 3 to 1.

In 2000 and 2004, Democrats outnumbered Republicans by about 2 to 1 in the Free State.

"Democrats work very hard at voter registration," Democratic Party Communications Director David Paulson wrote in an email to PolitickerMD.com. "The Maryland Democratic Party has a very sophisticated and hardworking network of central committees, clubs, candidates and activists who know what they're doing when it comes to voter registration in their communities and they never tire of doing it."

Justin Ready, the state GOP's executive director, acknowledged the gap was wide, but said voter registration was one the state party's top priorities

"We're working very hard to register as many voters as possible, with a statewide leadership team that has liaisons in every county at community events, going door-to-door, and even mailing to get people registered," Ready wrote in an email to PolitickerMD.com.

Ready did note concern about some of the "dubious tactics" the Democratic Party has been associated with in regard to voter registration.

"I'd also like to point out that there has been a tremendous amount of concern regarding the way that voters are registered en masse in Maryland by organizations like ACORN," said Ready, in reference to reports that the Association of Community Organizations for Reform was under investigation and suspected of fraudulent voter registration.

But Paulson says voter registration numbers are up simply because his party does a better job.

"Of course in politics the best way to grow is to do your job well and Maryland Democrats do that." said Paulson. "This year, Barack Obama's candidacy is a tremendous factor. But let's not ignore the failures of Gingrich, Ehrlich, Bush and McCain. The contrast is real and potential voters -- especially young first-time voters -- know it and register accordingly."