Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB29: Election Law - Petitions and Ballot Questions - Contents, Plain Language Requirement, and Procedures
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Altering the information that is required to be included on the signature page of a petition seeking to place a question on the ballot and with a question on the ballot; requiring that a certain summary included on the signature page of a petition seeking to place a question on the ballot and a certain statement about a question on the ballot be written in plain language; requiring certain boards of elections to post the text of ballot measures for at least 90 days before the general election; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Election Law - Petitions and Ballot Questions - Contents, Plain Language Requirement, and Procedures FOR the purpose of altering the information that is required to be included on the signature page of a petition seeking to place a question on the ballot and with a question on the ballot; requiring that a certain summary included on the signature page of a petition seeking to place a question on the ballot and a certain statement about a question on the ballot be written in plain language; altering the deadline by which ballot questions must be prepared and certified…
From the enrolled text, May 18, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Election Law - Petitions and Ballot Questions - Contents, Plain Language Requirement, and Procedures FOR the purpose of altering the information that is required to be included on the signature page of a petition seeking to place a question on the ballot and with a question on the ballot; requiring that a certain summary included on the signature page of a petition seeking to place a question on the ballot and a certain statement about a question on the ballot be written in plain language; altering the deadline by which ballot questions must be prepared and certified; requiring the State Board of Elections to make certain information regarding a ballot question available for a public comment period; requiring the State Board and each applicable local board of elections to post certain information relating to certain ballot questions for at least a certain period of time before the general election; and generally relating to petitions and ballot questions. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Election Law Section 6-103(b), 6-201(c) and (d), 7-103(b) and (c), 7-105, and 9-207 Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Election Law Section 6-201(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE …