Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB255: Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Counties and Municipal Corporations
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Prohibiting the imposition or application of a method for electing the governing body of a county or municipal corporation that impairs the ability of members of a protected class to elect candidates of the members' choice or influence the outcome of an election by diluting or abridging the rights of voters who are members of a protected class; authorizing the Attorney General and any other person to bring a certain action in the county where the violation allegedly occurred for injunctive relief, damages, or other relief; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Counties and Municipal Corporations FOR the purpose of prohibiting the imposition or application of a method for electing the governing body of a county or municipal corporation that impairs the ability of members of a protected class to elect candidates of the members' choice or influence the outcome of an election by diluting or abridging the rights of voters who are members of a protected class; and generally relating to voting rights of members of protected classes in elections in counties and municipal corporations…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Counties and Municipal Corporations FOR the purpose of prohibiting the imposition or application of a method for electing the governing body of a county or municipal corporation that impairs the ability of members of a protected class to elect candidates of the members' choice or influence the outcome of an election by diluting or abridging the rights of voters who are members of a protected class; and generally relating to voting rights of members of protected classes in elections in counties and municipal corporations. BY adding to Article - Election Law Section 15.7-101 through 15.7-107 to be under the new title "Title 15.7. Voting Rights - Counties and Municipal Corporations" Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Election Law TITLE 15.7. VOTING RIGHTS - COUNTIES AND MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS. 15.7-101. (A) IN THIS TITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (B) "POLARIZED VOTING" MEANS VOTING IN WHICH THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE CHOICE OF CANDIDATES OR OTHER ELECTORAL CHOICES THAT ARE PREFERRED BY VOTERS IN A PROTECTED CLASS AND IN THE CHOICE OF CANDIDATES AND ELECTORAL CHOICES THAT ARE PREFERRED BY ANOTHER CLASS OR SET OF …