“Every Marylander deserves a fair chance to vote, no matter their race, where they live, or the language they speak,” said Joanne Antoine, Executive Director of Common Cause Maryland. “By prohibiting racial voter dilution and giving voters the tools to challenge unfair voting practices, S.B. 342 will ensure all voters can make their voices heard at the ballot box. As a state, it’s time we stand up and fight back against federal attacks on our voting rights by passing S.B. 342.”

“Racial vote dilution occurs when an election system, or voters of color are denied equal opportunity to elect candidates they support,” said Dana Vickers Shelley, Executive Director, ACLU Maryland.  “Maryland’s own history of racial suppression in places like the town of Federalsburg, Wicomico County, and Baltimore County are examples where there is minority voting strength, but discriminatory vote dilution continues to disallow fair and equal voting practices. If passed, S.B. 342 will build on existing pro-voter laws that protect Marylanders, so that no one is excluded.”

In addition to explaining how S.B. 342 addresses racial vote dilution to ensure that all Marylanders have an equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice, hearing testimony explained how the bill builds on the protections provided in the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA) to make litigation less time-intensive and less costly for both individuals and local governments than litigation under the federal VRA.

“As we face attacks on voting rights at the federal level, now is the time for Maryland to cement its national leadership on protecting the freedom to vote.” said Ralikh Hayes, Senior Organizer for the Legal Defense, one of 63 state and national organizations who have signed a letter in support of S.B. 342.

For more information about S.B. 342 and the Maryland Voting Rights Act, visit mdvra.org.

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