Maryland election administrators are preparing for the 2026 election amid evolving legal requirements, security concerns, staffing challenges, misinformation, and ongoing scrutiny of election operations. Counties remain on the front lines, managing the people, polling places, ballots, equipment, and communications that make Election Day work.
At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Elections in Uncertain Times: What Counties Need to Know brought together State and local election leaders to discuss preparations for November and the issues election offices need on their radar.
Senator Cheryl Kagan led a fast-moving conversation, pulling election topics from a hat and giving panelists 90 seconds to respond. The discussion covered voter rolls, election judges and staffing, polling place accessibility, transparency, misinformation, security, and other challenges facing election administrators.
Underway at #MACoCon: Elections in Uncertain Times.
State Administrator Jared DeMarinis and @BaltCoElections Director Ruie LaVoie are breaking down what’s happening now, what counties need to know, and what it will take to run #Maryland’s #Election2026.#MDpolitics #elections pic.twitter.com/wAsiWzK2e5
— Kevin Kinnally (@KKinnally_MACo) August 13, 2026
Panel speakers included:
- Jared DeMarinis, State Administrator of Elections, Maryland State Board of Elections
- Ruie LaVoie, Director, Baltimore County Board of Elections
DeMarinis discussed Maryland’s preparations for November and recent State and federal developments affecting election administration. He also addressed voter roll maintenance, election security, transparency, and contingency planning as election offices prepare for a changing environment.
LaVoie brought the county perspective, focusing on the work that has to come together before Election Day. Staffing, polling places, ballots, security, voter communications, accessibility, and other day-to-day responsibilities all fall heavily on local election offices.
The discussion also highlighted the balance election administrators face when maintaining accurate voter rolls. Election offices regularly update voter information while following safeguards designed to ensure eligible voters do not improperly lose their ability to vote.
Election administrators must also prepare for challenges that can change quickly or emerge close to Election Day. That requires coordination between State and local election offices and the ability to adjust without disrupting voting or undermining public confidence.
The session took place August 13 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland.
More about MACo’s Summer Conference:
