My work on House Bill 217 began the day before Sandy blew into town.

I wanted to thank early voters at the former Pimlico Junior High.  I had to park three blocks away.  The line inside snaked around both sides of the entire first floor.   The expected wait was more than three hours.

Perhaps some were there because Hurricane Sandy was on its way.  Many more were there because “They tried to keep you from voting,” as I said to several voters.

I was referring to the Republican efforts to suppress voter turnout last fall.  Since no electioneering is allowed inside a polling place, I did not use the “R” word.

When I got home, I emailed a bill drafting request.  Early voting should be extended to the Sunday before Election Day, and the number of early voting centers should be doubled for the general election.

That request became House Bill 217, which had its public hearing today.

The key obstacle to Sunday voting is whether the names of early voters can be downloaded in time to the polling books used in each precinct on Election Day.

The State Board of Elections says no.  One committee member with a software background was skeptical.  I’ve asked a private-sector computer expert to assess the Board’s written statement.

An increase in the number of early voting centers seems likely.  It could be my formula or another.

One of the witnesses for the bill was Rev. Todd Yeary, senior pastor at Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore.

“I feel rewarded because I got an ‘Amen’ from a committee member,” intoned Rev. Yeary.

I’ll feel rewarded if the bill gets a favorable report.