UPDATE: The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Maryland GOP have just filed a lawsuit against state election officials, claiming that several counties in Maryland are reporting “impossibly high” voter registration numbers. This urgent legal action follows a similar lawsuit by the Department of Justice filed earlier this week.
The lawsuit targets Jared DeMarinis, the State Administrator of Elections, alongside members of the Board of Elections in Howard County and Montgomery County. They allege these areas have registered more voters than there are citizens over the age of 18. Alarmingly, the suit identifies 10 additional counties where voter registration rates exceed 95%, surpassing the statewide average.
The RNC’s complaint emphasizes that these inflated registration numbers disrupt “campaign-related activities” and hinder get-out-the-vote initiatives, ultimately damaging the GOP’s electoral efforts. The lawsuit cites a 2023 audit revealing that the State Board of Elections’ review of voter registration data was “inadequate,” and claims that deceased and ineligible voters remain on the rolls.
The timing of this lawsuit is crucial. It directly follows Tuesday’s Department of Justice action against DeMarinis and officials from five other states for failing to provide accurate voter registration rolls. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “Accurate voter rolls are the cornerstone of fair and free elections, and too many states have fallen into a pattern of noncompliance with basic voter roll maintenance.” She confirmed that the Department of Justice will continue to pursue legal action until states adhere to essential election safeguards.
Maryland election officials have yet to respond to requests for comment on this developing situation. The RNC previously reached out to DeMarinis in July 2023, requesting access to the state’s voter registration list, claiming violations of federal law under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
As this lawsuit unfolds, its implications for the upcoming elections could be significant. Voter registration integrity is critical for maintaining public trust in the electoral process. The outcome could reshape how Maryland and other states approach voter registration moving forward.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. Have a news tip? Contact Brendan Nordstrom at [email protected] or at 443-900-1353.
