Senate advances bill to streamline voting confidentiality contact for domestic-violence survivors

The Maryland Senate on Feb. 20 advanced a measure seeking to simplify how survivors of domestic violence access voting confidentiality protections. Senate Bill 91, reported favorably out of the Education, Energy and Environment committee, would designate a single contact person at the State Board of Elections for the confidentiality program, the floor leader said.

"Sadly, we have about 2,000 people who are survivors of domestic violence, who are being stalked or threatened, and yet they deserve to be able to vote and without violating their own privacy needs," the vice chair and floor leader said on the floor. The sponsor said the bill "streamlines it so there's only 1 person at the state board of elections that they will be contacting."

The floor record shows there was no amendment and no fiscal note reported in committee; the floor leader moved adoption of the favorable committee report and the body ordered the bill printed for a third reading. The measure was described as unanimously supported in committee.

If enacted, the bill would change administrative procedure at the State Board of Elections to limit the number of contact points for the confidentiality program and to make responsibilities clearer for voters seeking protection. The bill will next appear on the third-reading calendar where the full Senate will consider final passage.