Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Voter Intimidation and Suppression

HB 219, the Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2026, amends election law to prevent voter intimidation, deception, or obstruction that interferes with voting rights. It requires local election boards and governments to provide 15 days' public notice (via website) before discussing or adopting changes to voting procedures - such as polling locations or language assistance - and 48 hours for urgent changes. The bill prohibits local actions that create voting disparities for protected classes (defined as racial, ethnic, or language minority groups) and mandates that election changes must not impede eligible voters from registering or having ballots counted. It also allows the Attorney General to approve local remedies for violations and establishes a new "Voting Rights Act" section (15.3-101-501) to enforce these standards.