Maryland's high court rejects early voting challenge

The state's highest court ruled yesterday that voters will not be able to strike down a new law allowing early voting this fall, ending the hopes of petitioners who argued that it could lead to fraud.

"It looks like early voting might be here to stay," said Mark J. Davis, an assistant attorney general who represented the state elections board before the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Voters will be able to vote up to five days before the primary and general elections at three separate locations in the largest counties.

Proponents say the change will make the political process more accessible to more voters. The primary...