BREAKING: The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Maryland GOP have filed a lawsuit against state election officials, claiming “impossibly high” voter registration numbers in Maryland. The legal action, taken on September 29, 2023, follows a similar lawsuit from the Department of Justice earlier this week, intensifying scrutiny on voter registration practices in the state.
The lawsuit specifically targets Jared DeMarinis, Maryland’s State Administrator of Elections, and four members of the Board of Elections, alleging that Howard County and Montgomery County reported more registered voters than there are eligible citizens over the age of 18. Alarmingly, there are 10 additional counties reportedly exhibiting voter registration rates exceeding 95%, surpassing the statewide average.
“Accurate voter rolls are the cornerstone of fair and free elections,” asserted Attorney General Pamela Bondi, stressing the need for compliance with basic voter roll maintenance. This lawsuit underscores the RNC and Maryland GOP’s belief that inflated registration figures harm their “get-out-the-vote efforts” and overall campaign strategies.
The complaint is grounded in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandates that states make reasonable efforts to remove ineligible voters from their rolls. The RNC had previously reached out to DeMarinis in July 2023, requesting the state’s voter registration list and alleging violations of federal law.
In addition, a recent 2023 audit highlighted that the Maryland State Board of Elections’ review of voter registration data was deemed “inadequate,” revealing that deceased and ineligible voters remain on the rolls. The implications are significant as the lawsuit could affect upcoming elections and voter trust in the system.
The legal action arrives just days after the Department of Justice initiated lawsuits against DeMarinis and five other states for not providing requested voter registration rolls, signaling a broader national concern regarding election integrity.
As this situation develops, the RNC and Maryland GOP are calling for immediate reforms to ensure accurate voter registration practices.
WHAT’S NEXT: Observers are urged to monitor any responses from Maryland election officials as well as potential changes to registration processes in the wake of this lawsuit. The outcome could set a precedent for how states manage their voter rolls and uphold election integrity.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent story. For news tips, contact Brendan Nordstrom at [email protected] or at 443-900-1353.
