Voting Rights

Certain lawmakers - both in the federal government and in Maryland - are continually trying to restrict access to voting. The laws make it more difficult for groups of people to vote - people already marginalized by years of restrictive voting laws, many of whom vote Democratic.  

I have fought against voter ID laws, and helped pass reforms that make it easier for all voters to access the polls, including early voting, same day registration and re-enfranchising returning citizens.

Continued our work to make our elections accessible, safe and secure:

* HB 410 protects historically disenfranchised communities by ensuring local boards of elections do not implement discriminatory consolidation and closures of in-person voting locations.

* HB 535 improves the state's election system by codifying regulations that went into effect during the 2020 election to make administration easier, such as requiring local boards to start ballot canvassing eight days before early voting and giving voters the opportunity to cure a missing signature up to ten days after Election Day.

* Redrew our state legislative and congressional maps after the census.

* Passed SB 158, which requires the State Board of Elections and local boards of elections to provide at least the same number of in-person precinct polling locations as the 2018 election.

After it was made clear that local boards intended to conduct a mass consolidation of election day polling places, the General Assembly took action quickly to prevent any chance of voter suppression. While states across the country have experienced anti-democracy legislation in recent years, Maryland will continue to be a leader and ensure equal access to the ballot and expand voting opportunities

Passed three bills addressing different ways to make it easier for eligible voters to vote:

* HB 1048 creates a permanent absentee ballot list so voters who want to vote by mail in each election can register once rather than for each election. 

* HB1047 codifies the procedure of drop-boxes we used in the 2020 election, provides for the security of the boxes while they are in use, and creates a chain of custody for the ballots to ensure integrity of the process.

* HB 222 requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to facilitate voting by eligible voters who are incarcerated.