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Bill would set Maryland thresholds for multilingual election materials, expand translation duties for local boards
Summary
Delegate Mercure North told the committee HB 983 lowers the state language‑access threshold and requires local election boards to translate registration and voting materials and post language‑assistance signage; the bill also creates a state review and enforcement process.
Delegate Mercure North presented House Bill 983 to the Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 18, proposing statutory language to expand and clarify Maryland’s language‑access obligations in elections.
Nut graf: The bill would set a Maryland‑specific threshold (2% or 100 voting‑age citizens, or 4,000 voting‑age citizens in a county) to require translation and would require local boards to provide translated voter registration and election materials, sample ballots, and notices; the State Board of Elections would publish designated languages and handle enforcement functions.
Mercure North said the bill…
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