Residents of Maryland are voting on some major changes to their state laws today. Of the proposed ballot measures, three of the most hotly contested regard gay-marriage, expansion of gambling, and illegal immigration. Maryland could become the first state to vote to allow illegal immigrants who can prove attendance to a Maryland high school for at least three years, and furnish proof of filing income tax returns, to pay in-state tuition at Maryland universities. The proposal has strict guidelines, and would require qualified applicants to attend two years of community college before enrolling in a state university and register for the selective service. Opponents insist the provision would be costly and ineffective, and disagree with giving tax-payer benefits to illegal immigrants. Proponents note that it will allow children who had no choice in how their parents came to the county to pursue higher education and clear a path to legal citizenship.
Maryland is also one of three states where voters will decide whether to legalize gay-marriage or not, whether to allow table games and expand gambling statewide, and whether to reorganize congressional districts over the next ten years.
