Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1069: Election Law - Absentee Ballots - State and Federal Requirements
Status: In committee, April 13, 2026
Requiring the State Board of Elections and each local board of elections to refer to absentee ballots that are delivered to a voter by the Internet as "print-at-home ballots" in all communications with voters and the general public; providing that absentee ballots are considered timely and may be counted under certain circumstances; prohibiting absentee ballots that are not timely from being counted; and establishing requirements regarding absentee ballots that apply if federal law or a federal court set certain timeliness requirements.
What the bill says
An act concerning Election Law - Canvassing of Absentee Ballots - Preemption by Federal Judicial Action State and Federal Requirements FOR the purpose of requiring the State Administrator of Elections to establish a uniform tabulation policy for absentee ballots with federal contests in certain elections if there is an occurrence of federal judicial action regarding the timely receipt of certain absentee ballots that preempts a certain State law and regulation…
From the engrossed text, April 9, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Election Law - Canvassing of Absentee Ballots - Preemption by Federal Judicial Action State and Federal Requirements FOR the purpose of requiring the State Administrator of Elections to establish a uniform tabulation policy for absentee ballots with federal contests in certain elections if there is an occurrence of federal judicial action regarding the timely receipt of certain absentee ballots that preempts a certain State law and regulation; requiring the State Administrator to provide certain additional notice to voters regarding absentee ballots under certain circumstances using certain methods; the State Board of Elections and each local board of elections to refer to absentee ballots that are delivered to a voter by the Internet using a certain term in communications with voters and the general public; providing that absentee ballots are considered timely and may be counted under certain circumstances; prohibiting absentee ballots that are not timely from being counted; establishing requirements regarding absentee ballots that apply if federal law or a federal court establish requirements for the timeliness of absentee ballots that differ from State requirements; and generally relating to the canvassing of absentee ballots. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Election Law Section 9-301(c) and 9-304 Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO …
Sponsors
- Kris Fair (D, 3) · primary sponsor
- Mary Lehman (D, HD-021)
- Sheila Ruth (D, 44B)
- Jennifer Terrasa (D, 13)
- Jared Solomon (D, 18)
- Melissa Wells (D, 40)
Latest actions
- : Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment
- : Referred Rules
- : Third Reading Passed (97-38)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Floor Amendment {403525/1 (Delegate Rose) Rejected (37-95)
- : Motion Special Order until Next Session (Delegate Rose) Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments {313629/1 Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
- : Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (97-38) (April 10, 2026): 97 yea, 38 nay, passed
- Floor Amendment { 403525/1 (Delegate Rose) Rejected (37-95) (April 9, 2026): 37 yea, 95 nay, failed
Common questions
- What is HB1069?
- HB1069 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Election Law - Absentee Ballots - State and Federal Requirements.
- What does HB1069 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Election Law - Canvassing of Absentee Ballots - Preemption by Federal Judicial Action State and Federal Requirements FOR the purpose of requiring the State Administrator of Elections to establish a uniform tabulation policy for absentee ballots with federal contests in certain elections if there is an occurrence of federal judicial action regarding the timely receipt of certain absentee ballots that preempts a certain State law and regulation…
- What is the status of HB1069?
- In committee as of April 13, 2026. Latest action: Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment (April 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1069?
- Kris Fair (D, 3), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1069?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1069?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.