The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Maryland GOP have initiated a lawsuit against state election officials, asserting that the reported voter registration figures in Maryland are “impossibly high.” This legal action follows a similar lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice earlier this week, targeting the same issues related to voter registration accuracy.
The plaintiffs allege that both Howard County and Montgomery County have reported more registered voters than the number of citizens aged 18 and over in those jurisdictions. Additionally, the lawsuit highlights that there are ten other counties in Maryland where voter registration rates exceed 95%, exceeding the overall state registration average. The complaint names Jared DeMarinis, the State Administrator of Elections, alongside four members of the Board of Elections and officials from the two counties mentioned.
Maryland election officials have not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. Prior to filing this suit, the RNC and its legal representatives sent a letter to DeMarinis in July, requesting the state’s voter registration list and alleging that Maryland violated federal law concerning voter registration practices.
Allegations of Inaccuracy and Compliance Issues
The lawsuit is grounded in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which stipulates that there must be reasonable efforts to remove ineligible voters from official registration lists. The RNC and Maryland GOP claim that the inflated registration numbers adversely affect their “campaign-related activities” and “get-out-the-vote efforts,” ultimately impairing their ability to secure electoral victories for Republican candidates.
The complaint also references a 2023 audit which concluded that the State Board of Elections’ review of voter registration data was “inadequate.” According to the audit, Maryland’s voter rolls included names of deceased individuals and voters who were ineligible to participate in elections.
This lawsuit arrives shortly after the Department of Justice filed lawsuits against DeMarinis and five other states for allegedly failing to provide requested voter registration rolls. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls, stating, “Accurate voter rolls are the cornerstone of fair and free elections, and too many states have fallen into a pattern of noncompliance with basic voter roll maintenance.” She affirmed that the Department would continue to pursue litigation aimed at ensuring states adhere to essential election safeguards.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for Maryland’s electoral integrity and the broader national conversation on voter registration practices remain significant. The outcome will likely influence future discussions about electoral processes and compliance across various states.
