The Maryland State Board of Elections is advancing a set of proposals for the 2026 session that would directly affect local election operations, including transportation to early voting sites and creating a career pathway for election administration staff.

The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) has outlined several proposals for departmental legislation, all of which have been cleared for advancement by the Governor’s Office and approved by the Board.

These measures will be submitted for consideration during the 2026 General Assembly session, with a focus on voter access, election workforce development, and campaign finance oversight.

Expanding Access to Early Voting Sites

One proposal would require local bus systems — funded by counties, municipalities, or the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore City and Baltimore County — to provide stops at early voting sites within a half-mile of their fixed routes, where feasible.

With early voting centers fewer and farther apart than Election Day polling places, the intent is to make early voting more accessible, particularly for residents who live beyond walking distance. SBE emphasized that costs would remain minimal since the plan relies on existing bus routes.

Creating a Career Path in Election Administration

Election offices across Maryland have experienced a rise in turnover, despite the increasing responsibilities and complexities of election work.

SBE is exploring the creation of a formal career pathway for election administrators, modeled after credential programs for school building maintenance and other specialized public services. The goal is to bolster recruitment and retention by treating election administration as a professional field with clear standards and opportunities for advancement.

Campaign Finance Oversight and Accountability

To bolster public confidence in campaign finance, SBE is proposing legislation that clarifies the responsibilities of campaign committees, treasurers, and their agents.

The bill would require internal controls to be in place before making disbursements, creating safeguards against the improper use of funds. It would also mandate full disclosure of loans made by candidates or their spouses to their campaigns, ensuring more consistent transparency.

Adjusting Public Financing Timelines

Maryland’s Fair Campaign Financing Fund currently treats gubernatorial candidates differently from county-level candidates. While local candidates can begin receiving distributions as soon as they qualify, gubernatorial candidates face a six-month delay in receiving distributions.

SBE’s proposal would align the timelines, allowing gubernatorial campaigns to access funds beginning July 1 of the year before the election, making participation in the program more practical for statewide contenders.

Updating Fines for Inaugural Committee Reporting

Finally, SBE has identified a technical update to bring inaugural committee reporting rules in line with other campaign finance penalties.

Under the proposal, failure to comply with filing requirements would carry a maximum fine of $1,000, consistent with parallel provisions in other election laws.

What’s Next

With SBE’s approval, these proposals will now be drafted as legislation and introduced during the 2026 General Assembly session. MACo will closely monitor this legislation and evaluate how the proposed changes may affect counties, which fund and support local boards of elections.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.