Fair Representation

Maryland Voting Rights Act – Many of the protections enshrined by the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 have been eliminated or weakened in the last few decades. Under a second Trump administration, rampant restrictive voting policies and barriers to voting will continue to increase. The consequences disproportionately impact Black and brown, limited English proficiency, disabled, and other marginalized voters. This session we will be working to codify several aspects of the landmark VRA with specific enhancements tailored to protect all Maryland voters.

Voting and Elections

Voting Access for Incarcerated and Returning Citizens – We continue to work with allies to ensure returning citizens and eligible incarcerated citizens know their right to vote and have meaningful access to voting and voting information. This session we will be supporting two reforms. The first aims to expand the agencies covered by our Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) program and include the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, affirming returning citizens that their right to vote has been restored while allowing them to register to vote as they leave. The second would end felony disenfranchisement through the Voting Rights for All Act.

Greater Access to Voter Registration – Thousands of eligible Marylanders have registered to vote or updated their registration through our Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) program, increasing the number of eligible voters participating in our democracy. This session, we aim to build on the program’s success with an update that would streamline our AVR process, removing unnecessary steps for registration and significantly decrease the number of eligible voters who unintentionally decline registration while engaging with agencies like the Motor Vehicle Administration.

Money and Influence

Expansion of Small Donor Public Financing Programs – Citizen-funded elections help to break down barriers to participating in our democracy and create a government that looks more like us — and works better for us. Montgomery, Howard, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City have all established public financing programs. When local governments establish these programs, the policies and laws that follow are more responsive to public needs and less skewed by wealthy special interests. This session, we will continue to work with allies to pass legislation that would allow local jurisdictions with existing programs to expand to cover other local offices. We also continue to work toward establishing a program for the General Assembly.

Other Initiatives

Disclosure and Regulation of Synthetic Media – Artificial Intelligence (AI), deepfakes, and other emerging technologies pose a serious threat to our democracy as they super-charge election disinformation and other anti-voter tactics. In a few clicks, bad actors can create deceptive content about candidates or impersonate election officials, spreading those lies like wildfire. During this session, we will continue to support efforts to require disclosure of deepfake or AI-generated materials being distributed to the public and give the State Board of Elections the authority to remove this content when necessary.

Protecting our Constitutional Rights – Special interests continue to advance calls for Constitutional Conventions in the states.  The call for a federal constitutional convention is a dangerous threat to our democracy. While Common Cause Maryland supports fighting big money in politics, we steadfastly oppose a constitutional convention. We continue to oppose those calling for Constitutional Conventions on any issue.