UPDATE: The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Maryland GOP have just filed a lawsuit against state election officials, claiming they have reported “impossibly high” voter registration numbers. This urgent legal action, initiated on October 20, 2023, follows a similar lawsuit from the Department of Justice earlier this week, escalating concerns over election integrity in Maryland.
The lawsuit specifically alleges that Howard County and Montgomery County have registered more voters than there are eligible citizens over the age of 18. Alarmingly, the complaint points out that there are 10 additional counties where voter registration rates exceed 95%, surpassing the statewide average. This raises serious questions about the accuracy of the voter rolls and compliance with federal law.
Jared DeMarinis, the State Administrator of Elections, along with four members of the Board of Elections, are named in the lawsuit. As of this moment, Maryland election officials have not responded to requests for comment on these serious allegations.
In a letter sent to DeMarinis back in July, the RNC and their legal representatives requested access to the state’s voter registration list, alleging that Maryland had violated the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. This federal law mandates a “reasonable effort” to maintain accurate voter registration lists, which the RNC claims has not been adhered to.
The impact of these alleged inaccuracies is significant, affecting both “campaign-related activities” and “get-out-the-vote efforts.” The lawsuit asserts that inflated registration numbers hinder the ability of the RNC and Maryland GOP to effectively mobilize voters and elect Republican candidates.
Compounding these concerns, a 2023 audit revealed that the State Board of Elections’ review of voter registration data was “inadequate,” with reports of deceased and ineligible voters still present on the rolls. This finding underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review and correction of the voter registration process in Maryland.
This lawsuit comes on the heels of the Department of Justice’s recent actions against DeMarinis and five other states for failing to provide requested voter registration rolls.
“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,”
stated Attorney General Pamela Bondi. She emphasized that the Department of Justice will continue to pursue proactive litigation to ensure compliance with essential election safeguards.
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on the Maryland election officials’ response and any potential implications for the upcoming elections. Voter integrity remains a critical issue, and this lawsuit could significantly influence the political landscape in Maryland.
For continuous updates on this breaking story, stay tuned. Have a news tip? Contact Brendan Nordstrom at [email protected] or at 443-900-1353.
