State bills would change polling-place authority, challengers' procedures and restore registrations; AG guidance on federal agents awaited
April 10, 2026 | Caroline County, Maryland
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The election director summarized multiple state bills that would affect local election operations.
On access, the director said a departmental bill requires buses operating on fixed local routes to allow passengers to embark and disembark at the entrance of early voting centers located within a half-mile of the route; the director said that requirement will be effective beginning in 2028 and that the county's local transit route already stops near the early voting site.
The director also described a measure to restore voter registration for individuals released from state correctional facilities: by Jan. 1, 2028 the State Board of Elections and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will develop an electronic transmission process to restore registrations for people released from incarceration.
On polling-place authority, the director summarized a bill that would give the local election director authority to maintain peace and order inside polling places (a duty previously held by chief judges). The bill would also require challengers and watchers to submit a copy of their accredited certificate to the local board in advance of entering the voting room rather than presenting it at entry.
A board member asked whether ICE or other federal agents could appear at polling places; the director said the attorney general's office is reviewing guidance and that current guidance indicates it is unlawful for federal agents to be present in polling locations and within the 100-foot no-electioneering zone. The director said updated guidance will be shared with judges during training.
The director said another bill (house bill 357) would require municipalities to provide candidate and election-date information to the State Board before municipal elections for posting; the director said that change would not directly affect county operations but is informational for the public.
The board did not take formal votes on these state bills at the meeting; the director framed the summaries as informational updates and noted effective dates and implementation tasks where known.
On access, the director said a departmental bill requires buses operating on fixed local routes to allow passengers to embark and disembark at the entrance of early voting centers located within a half-mile of the route; the director said that requirement will be effective beginning in 2028 and that the county's local transit route already stops near the early voting site.
The director also described a measure to restore voter registration for individuals released from state correctional facilities: by Jan. 1, 2028 the State Board of Elections and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will develop an electronic transmission process to restore registrations for people released from incarceration.
On polling-place authority, the director summarized a bill that would give the local election director authority to maintain peace and order inside polling places (a duty previously held by chief judges). The bill would also require challengers and watchers to submit a copy of their accredited certificate to the local board in advance of entering the voting room rather than presenting it at entry.
A board member asked whether ICE or other federal agents could appear at polling places; the director said the attorney general's office is reviewing guidance and that current guidance indicates it is unlawful for federal agents to be present in polling locations and within the 100-foot no-electioneering zone. The director said updated guidance will be shared with judges during training.
The director said another bill (house bill 357) would require municipalities to provide candidate and election-date information to the State Board before municipal elections for posting; the director said that change would not directly affect county operations but is informational for the public.
The board did not take formal votes on these state bills at the meeting; the director framed the summaries as informational updates and noted effective dates and implementation tasks where known.
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