Last week, MML staff testified in the Maryland Senate and House on legislation (SB 88 / HB 322) to ensure the State Board of Elections (SBE) can continue to support municipal elections using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This legislation is the result of conversations that took place over the fall after SBE shared a memo with county Local Boards of Elections (LBEs) that ordered them to stop supporting municipal elections beyond providing voter rolls:

“SBE is requesting all local boards with municipal elections comply with the law. The law is clear on its directive that we are limited to providing the paper precinct register. Additionally, we provide a voting credit in the MDVOTERS database. This is accomplished by creating the election in MDVOTERS. If the municipality requires more than provided by law, the municipality will have to directly contact and contract with vendors to request databases and equipment support.”

SBE claimed that without a fix to state law, they did not have the legal authority to support municipal elections. SB 88 and HB 322 provide the necessary remedy by simply allowing the State Administrator to enter an MOU with a municipality.

During the hearing, Justin Fiore, Deputy Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs for the League, emphasized that this is emergency legislation designed to allow support for jurisdictions that have elections as early as the spring of 2025.

If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact Justin Fiore at [email protected].