Maryland HB964: Secure the Vote Act of 2026

What the bill says

A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Secure the Vote Act of 2026 FOR the purpose of repealing the requirements that the Baltimore City centralized booking facility provide a ballot drop box to eligible voters and the State Board of Elections provide a ballot drop box to the Baltimore City centralized booking facility; repealing the requirement that each local board of elections designate locations in the county at which ballot drop boxes will be placed and submit the proposed locations to the State Administrator of Elections…

From the introduced text, February 6, 2026:

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Secure the Vote Act of 2026 FOR the purpose of repealing the requirements that the Baltimore City centralized booking facility provide a ballot drop box to eligible voters and the State Board of Elections provide a ballot drop box to the Baltimore City centralized booking facility; repealing the requirement that each local board of elections designate locations in the county at which ballot drop boxes will be placed and submit the proposed locations to the State Administrator of Elections; repealing security requirements and procedures relating to ballot drop boxes; repealing provisions of law governing permanent absentee ballot status; repealing the authority to conduct special elections by mail; establishing requirements related to proof of citizenship of individuals registering to vote, voter identification, absentee ballot signature verification, audits of the statewide voter registration list, and the conduct of municipal elections; restricting absentee voting to individuals who are unable to vote in person due to certain circumstances; establishing prohibitions related to the return of absentee ballots, the counting of absentee ballots, and municipal voter registration of individuals who are not citizens of the United States; and generally relating to the conduct of elections. BY repealing Article - Correctional Services Section 2-501 and the subtitle "Subtitle 5. Ballot Drop Box" Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Robin Grammer (R, HD-006) · primary sponsor
• Christopher Adams (R, HD-037B)
• Kevin Anderson (R, HD-038)
• Steven Arentz (R, HD-036)
• Lauren Arikan (R, 7B)
• Terry Baker (R, 1C)
• Barry Beauchamp (R, 38B)
• Christopher Bouchat (R, HD-005)
• Jason Buckel (R, HD-001B)
• Brian Chisholm (R, 31)
• Barrie Ciliberti (R, HD-004)
• Mark Fisher (R, HD-027C)

Latest actions

1. February 11, 2026: Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.
2. February 6, 2026: First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

Common questions

What is HB964?

HB964 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Secure the Vote Act of 2026.

What does HB964 do?

In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Secure the Vote Act of 2026 FOR the purpose of repealing the requirements that the Baltimore City centralized booking facility provide a ballot drop box to eligible voters and the State Board of Elections provide a ballot drop box to the Baltimore City centralized booking facility; repealing the requirement that each local board of elections designate locations in the county at which ballot drop boxes will be placed and submit the proposed locations to the State Administrator of Elections…

What is the status of HB964?

In committee as of February 11, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. (February 11, 2026).

Who sponsored HB964?

Robin Grammer (R, HD-006), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB964?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0964?ys=2026RS