The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Maryland GOP have initiated legal action against state election officials, alleging that voter registration figures in Maryland are “impossibly high.” The lawsuit was filed on October 27, 2023, shortly after a similar complaint was submitted by the Department of Justice earlier that week.
The core of the lawsuit focuses on claims that both Howard County and Montgomery County reported more registered voters than there are citizens aged 18 and older. Furthermore, the lawsuit points out that an additional ten counties have reported voter registration rates exceeding 95%, which surpasses the statewide average.
The complaint names Jared DeMarinis, the State Administrator of Elections, along with four members of the Maryland Board of Elections and election officials from the two counties in question. Maryland election officials have not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
In July, the RNC and its legal representatives had previously reached out to DeMarinis, requesting the state’s voter registration list. They alleged that Maryland had violated federal law concerning voter registration practices. The current lawsuit cites the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandates that states make “reasonable efforts to remove the names of ineligible voters” from their official lists.
According to the complaint, the RNC and Maryland GOP assert that the inflated registration numbers adversely affect their “campaign-related activities” and “get-out-the-vote efforts.” They argue that these inaccuracies ultimately compromise their ability to successfully elect Republican candidates.
Additionally, the lawsuit references a 2023 audit which concluded that the State Board of Elections’ review of voter registration data was “inadequate.” This audit suggested that Maryland’s voter rolls included names of deceased and ineligible voters.
The lawsuit follows the Department of Justice’s announcement earlier in the week, which involved filing similar lawsuits against DeMarinis and five other states for failing to comply with requests for voter registration rolls.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi 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. The Department of Justice will continue filing proactive election integrity litigation until states comply with basic election safeguards.”
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for voter registration practices in Maryland and potentially nationwide will be closely monitored, reflecting ongoing tensions in electoral integrity and political representation.
