Caroline County elections board authorizes director to hire board attorney, reviews new voting equipment and state bills

The Caroline County Board of Elections unanimously authorized Election Director Allison Murphy on April 10 to hire a replacement board attorney and reviewed election preparations, including new voting equipment the director said will be implemented for the 2028 elections.

Murphy, the county’s Election Director, told the board that staff recently attended State Board of Elections and Maryland Association of Election Officials committee meetings, and that county staff traveled to Kent Island on March 23 to view the new voting system. "We were pleased with the improved features," she said, and confirmed the new system is planned for use beginning with the 2028 cycle.

The board also addressed legislative changes at the state level that could affect local operations. Murphy said SB443 (Board Counsel — Qualifications) has passed and will be signed by the governor; once that occurs she plans to move forward with finding a replacement for the county’s board attorney and will consult with the outgoing counsel for recommendations.

Murphy summarized additional bills under review: HB263/SB100 would require a fixed-route bus to stop at an early voting center during early voting if the route is within half a mile; the county already has a Delmarva Community Transit stop at the HAPS Building, and Murphy said the provision would be implemented beginning in 2028. She described SB241/HB115, which directs the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services to provide lists of people released from incarceration so the State Board can automatically restore voter registration for those previously registered. Murphy also reviewed HB1001/SB670, which would grant the Election Director authority at polling places and require Challengers and Watchers to submit their certificates to the local board before entering polling places. Finally, she discussed HB357, which would require municipalities to provide election dates and certain information to SBE and for election information to be displayed online.

Suzanne Campos asked whether SBE would provide guidance about Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence at polling places; Murphy said SBE is awaiting guidance from the attorney general’s office and noted that federal agents are currently not permitted to be inside polling places or within the 100-foot no-electioneering zone. Murphy said she will incorporate any forthcoming guidance into judge training and central-committee briefings.

On administrative items, Murphy reminded board members that Maryland State ethics disclosures are due April 30, 2026, and reviewed voter registration precinct counts and the election judge assignment report, which showed vacancies are filled as of April 3. She said staff is performing tasks to prepare for the 2026 primary and noted events planned for the May board meeting.

Procedural motions recorded in the minutes included approval of the March 13, 2026 meeting minutes (moved by Margaret Thompson, seconded by Suzanne Campos) and a motion by Campos, seconded by Angel Perez, giving Murphy authority to hire a board attorney; both motions passed unanimously. Margaret Thompson later moved to adjourn, Campos seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 9:59 a.m.

No public comments were recorded. The board scheduled its next meeting for Friday, May 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Health & Public Services Building in Denton.