Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB949: Election Law - Absentee Ballots - State and Federal Requirements
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 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; and 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.
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 enrolled text, May 18, 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 Article - Election Law Section 9-310.1 …
Sponsors
- Cheryl Kagan (D, SD-017) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 440
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (96-36)
- : Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Adopted
- : Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
- : Rereferred to Government, Labor, and Elections
- : Referred Rules and Executive Nominations
- : Third Reading Passed (35-10)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (96-36) (April 13, 2026): 96 yea, 36 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (35-10) (April 13, 2026): 35 yea, 10 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB949?
- SB949 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Election Law - Absentee Ballots - State and Federal Requirements.
- What does SB949 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 SB949?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 440 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB949?
- Cheryl Kagan (D, SD-017).
- Where is the official record for SB949?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0949?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.