Elections - Ranked-Choice Voting in Contests for Presidential Nomination and Certification of Election-Supporting Technology

SB 383 authorizes Maryland's State Board of Elections to use ranked-choice voting for political parties' presidential nomination contests starting with the 2028 statewide primary election. It requires the State Board to develop and fund voter education about ranked-choice voting and report on its implementation by 2029. The bill also establishes new rules for certifying election-supporting technology (like pollbooks and audit tools), requiring the State Board to create standards for review, certification, and periodic evaluation of such technology. These changes directly affect Maryland voters participating in presidential primaries and election officials managing primary elections. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.