URGENT UPDATE: The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Maryland GOP have just filed a lawsuit against state election officials, alleging that voter registration numbers in Maryland are “impossibly high.” This lawsuit, filed on October 13, 2023, follows a similar action by the Department of Justice earlier this week, heightening concerns about electoral integrity.
The RNC claims that Howard County and Montgomery County have reported more registered voters than there are citizens over 18 in those areas. Alarmingly, the lawsuit highlights that 10 additional counties in Maryland have voter registration rates exceeding 95%, significantly higher than the statewide average. This discrepancy raises serious questions regarding the accuracy of voter registration in the state.
Named in the lawsuit are Jared DeMarinis, the State Administrator of Elections, and four members of the Board of Elections, alongside election officials from the counties in question. The Maryland election officials have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding these allegations.
The RNC’s complaint asserts that these inaccurate registration figures severely impact “campaign-related activities” and “get-out-the-vote efforts,” ultimately hindering the ability of the party to elect Republican candidates. The legal action is grounded in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandates that states make a “reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters” from their official lists.
Adding fuel to the fire, the lawsuit references a 2023 audit which concluded that the State Board of Elections’ review of voter registration data was “inadequate.” The audit revealed that Maryland’s voter rolls included deceased and ineligible individuals, raising alarms about the integrity of the electoral process.
This lawsuit comes on the heels of the Department of Justice taking action against DeMarinis and five other states for failing to provide their voter registration rolls upon request. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the importance of accurate voter rolls, stating, “Accurate voter rolls are the cornerstone of fair and free elections, and too many states have fallen into a pattern of noncompliance with basic voter roll maintenance.”
As this story develops, the implications for Maryland’s electoral landscape and the broader national debate on voter integrity and registration practices will be significant. Observers are urged to closely watch how state officials respond to the allegations and what further actions the RNC may take in light of this lawsuit.
Stay tuned for updates as this breaking news unfolds.
