Ways and Means Committee approves bill requiring consolidated election plans and state review of drop-box locations

April 3, 2025 — The Maryland House Ways and Means Committee voted favorably, as amended, on Senate Bill 259, a measure that would require local boards of elections to submit consolidated election plans to the State Board and give a state election administrator review authority over ballot drop-box locations.

The measure, discussed at the committee’s April 3 voting session, requires local boards to include proposed early voting centers, polling places and ballot drop-box locations in a consolidated plan. As amended, the bill also requires a local board in the first election after redistricting to submit additional information if its polling-place plan will reduce the number of polling places and establishes procedures for public notice and comment.

Vice Chair (reading amendments) summarized the changes on the floor: “The bill requires local boards of elections to submit a consolidated election plan to the state board for approval that includes proposed early voting centers, polling places, and ballot drop box locations. The amendments require a local board of elections in the first election after redistricting to submit certain information if its polling place plan will reduce the number of polling places. It establishes procedures for public notice and comment.” The vice chair also stated that the amendment changes the role so that a state administrator will review, rather than approve, drop-box locations.

During discussion, Delegate Buckle asked whether the attorney general had retained enforcement authority over drop-box locations in an earlier version. The vice chair confirmed the committee-level change: the state administrator will conduct the review rather than the attorney general’s office. Delegate Long and others asked clarifying questions about how this version related to prior committee action; the vice chair confirmed the committee was making a change and revoting in committee prior to floor consideration.

The committee moved the amendments and then voted the bill favorably as amended. The clerk announced, “Senate Bill 259 passes favorably as amended.”

The bill’s amendments add a public-notice and comment process, require additional disclosure after redistricting when polling places would be reduced, and place review authority over drop-box siting with a state election administrator. The committee recorded no roll-call breakdown in the transcript; the chair called for a voice vote and announced the bill passed.

The committee is set to reconvene for further votes the following day; the chair said a backroom would be held before tomorrow’s session and the exact time would be announced.