Press Release
Common Cause Maryland Slams “Poison Pill” Amendment in Special Elections Bill
“For too long, legislative vacancies have been filled behind closed doors, leaving voters on the sidelines,” said Joanne Antoine, Common Cause’s Maryland.
MD Press
Media Contacts
Maya Majikas
Communications Strategist
mmajikas@commoncause.org
Joanne Antoine
Executive Director
jantoine@commoncause.org
443-906-0442
Press Release
VICTORY: Federal Judge Orders Baltimore County to Submit Redistricting Plan that Complies with Voting Rights Act
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD – In the federal court challenge to an illegal redistricting plan, brought by Black voters in Baltimore County and several civil rights organizations, Federal Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby granted a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the County’s plan and ordering them to submit a new plan that complies with the Voting Rights Act by March 8.
Press Release
More than 100 Maryland Organizations Call on the Senate to Maintain Virtual Access
On Monday February 14th, the Maryland Senate will end the public’s ability to provide remote virtual testimony during committee hearings.
Press Release
County Councils Act on Citizens Elections Programs: Howard County Council approves fix; Anne Arundel County Council falls short, does not send ballot question to voters
Fair Elections Maryland applauds Howard County Council for fixing their local public financing program - Coalition disappointed as Anne Arundel County Council falls short on approving charter amendment on public financing.
Press Release
TONIGHT – Citizens Election Programs on the Agenda for Councils’ Action
The Howard County Council will vote on emergency legislation clarifying who is eligible for funds; and the Anne Arundel County Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed charter amendment requiring a system of public campaign financing.
Press Release
Black Voters, Advocacy Groups Urge Federal Court to Block Baltimore County’s Unlawful Redistricting Plan
Late Wednesday, Black voters and civil rights organizations filed papers urging United Sates District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby to issue an injunction overturning Baltimore County’s racially discriminatory redistricting plan and requiring the County to reconfigure its election system in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.
Press Release
Howard County Council to consider bill to Fix Fair Elections Program
The Howard County Council will hold a public hearing tonight on legislation to fix a provision that is blocking Fair Elections funding for at least one candidate who wishes to participate in the program and qualifies for matching funds.
Press Release
Coalition Calls on Howard County Executive and Council to Save Fair Elections Program
The County has been unwilling to distribute funds to participating candidates who have qualified for matching funds.
Press Release
Advocates for Open Government call on Senate and House Leadership to ensure public access during the 2022 legislative session
Common Cause MD and other organizations are calling on both the Senate and House of Delegates to improve their COVID-19 public-access protocols - and to make them permanent.
Press Release
Fair Elections Fund Resolution Introduced in Anne Arundel County
If the County Council passes the resolution, this will put the question of creating a Fair Elections Fund on the ballot for public vote in the November 2022 Election.
Press Release
Black Voters, Baltimore County NAACP, League of Women Voters, and Common Cause Sue to Defend Voting Rights in Redistricting
“Throughout this year’s redistricting process, we and residents across Baltimore County called on Council members to follow the law and put the people above politics. Instead, they chose to ignore the law at the expense of free and fair elections. The county’s voting districts don’t belong to politicians, they belong to the people. The people, specifically Black voters, have a right to have a voice in choosing their representatives and should not have to live a decade under an illegal map.”
Press Release
Baltimore County Council passes Fair Election Fund in bipartisan vote, including spending limits and increased qualifying thresholds
Baltimore County joins 5 other jurisdictions in Maryland in enacting campaign finance reform. Proponents of the program say it will serve as a counterweight to traditional campaign financing which depends on large and corporate donors.
Press Release
Maryland General Assembly Approves Gerrymandered Congressional Map
When the redistricting process is led by politicians, the maps will be drawn to benefit the politicians- and that’s exactly what state legislators have done today.