The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Maryland GOP have initiated a lawsuit against state election officials, claiming that voter registration figures in Maryland are “impossibly high.” Filed on September 29, 2023, the lawsuit follows a similar action taken by the Department of Justice earlier that week, further intensifying scrutiny on the state’s voter registration processes.
The complaint specifically targets Howard County and Montgomery County, where the RNC alleges that the number of registered voters exceeds the number of citizens over the age of 18. Additionally, the lawsuit points to ten other counties where voter registration rates surpass 95%, exceeding the statewide average. This discrepancy raises concerns about the integrity of the voter registration system in Maryland.
The suit names Jared DeMarinis, the State Administrator of Elections, along with four members of the Maryland Board of Elections and election officials in the two counties. Maryland election officials have not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
This legal action is built upon previous correspondence from the RNC and its legal representatives, who in July sent a letter to DeMarinis requesting the state’s voter registration list. The letter accused Maryland of violating federal law by failing to maintain accurate voter rolls.
At the heart of the lawsuit is the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandates that states make a “reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters” from official lists. The RNC and Maryland GOP argue that the inflated registration numbers hinder their campaign efforts and “get-out-the-vote” initiatives, ultimately impacting their ability to elect Republican candidates.
Compounding the allegations, the lawsuit references a 2023 audit that criticized the State Board of Elections for inadequate reviews of voter registration data. The audit suggests that Maryland’s voter rolls include deceased and ineligible voters, further questioning the reliability of the state’s electoral processes.
The timing of this lawsuit coincides with recent actions taken by the Department of Justice, which has filed lawsuits against DeMarinis and five other states for failing to provide requested voter registration rolls. Pamela Bondi, Attorney General, emphasized the importance of accurate voter rolls, stating, “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.” Bondi affirmed that the Department of Justice will continue to pursue election integrity litigation until states adhere to fundamental election safeguards.
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for Maryland’s electoral integrity and the broader political landscape remain to be seen. The outcome of these lawsuits could influence future voter registration practices and the overall administration of elections in the state.
