HB 1069 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Election Law - Absentee Ballots - State and Federal Requirements

HB 1069 requires Maryland's State Administrator of Elections to create a uniform process for counting absentee ballots with federal contests if a federal court order overrides state rules about ballot deadlines. It ensures that non-federal contests on valid absentee ballots (postmarked by election day) are still counted under state law. The bill also mandates clear voter notices about federal vs. state ballot deadlines, urging early mailing or drop-off, using methods like social media and sample ballots. This applies only to federal elections in 2026 and 2028.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Election Law - Canvassing of Absentee Ballots - Preemption by Federal Judicial Action → Third - Election Law - Absentee Ballots - State and Federal Requirements · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a temporary emergency measure focused solely on handling federal court rulings about absentee ballots to a permanent law establishing comprehensive rules for all absentee ballots. The new version adds specific terminology for internet-delivered ballots, clarifies when ballots are considered timely, and sets strict deadlines for counting mail-in ballots.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from applying only to the 2026 and 2028 elections under emergency conditions to applying generally to future elections with permanent statutory language.

TIMELINE

The bill changed from an emergency measure effective for only three years to a permanent law without a sunset date.

DEFINITION

New requirements were added to define internet-delivered ballots as 'print-at-home ballots' in all public communications.

REQUIREMENT

The bill now explicitly states that absentee ballots not meeting specific timeliness requirements (such as being received by mail by 10 AM on the second Friday after the election) cannot be counted.

The requirement for a uniform tabulation policy was broadened to cover all federal contests, not just those preempted by specific judicial actions.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

98–38

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 142

Mar 25, 2026

D Democratic103

98 Yea 5

95% Yea

R Republican39

38 Nay 1

97% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 13, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until Next Session (Delegate Rose) Adopted

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Mar 25, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (98-38-6)

house of delegates

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors