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Broad coalition backs Maryland Voting Rights Act bills to prevent vote dilution and require pre‑clearance in high‑risk jurisdictions
Summary
Civil‑rights, legal and civic groups urged the House Ways and Means Committee to pass two measures in the Maryland Voting Rights Act—HB 10‑43 to create a state cause of action to challenge vote dilution, and HB 10‑44 to require pre‑clearance in jurisdictions with evidence of discriminatory practices—saying federal protections are no longer sufficient.
(Combined coverage: HB 10‑43 and HB 10‑44)
A broad coalition of civil‑rights, legal and civic organizations urged the Ways and Means Committee to advance two linked bills in the Maryland Voting Rights Act package: HB 10‑43, which would establish state‑level causes of action and streamlined standards to challenge racial vote dilution and suppression, and HB 10‑44, which would require pre‑clearance of covered changes in election administration for jurisdictions with evidence of past discriminatory practices or disparities.
Speakers included representatives of the League of Women Voters, ACLU of Maryland, Campaign Legal Center, Legal Defense Fund, Common Cause Maryland, and the Maryland Episcopal Public Policy Network.…
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