The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Maryland GOP have initiated a lawsuit against state election officials, alleging that voter registration numbers in certain counties are “impossibly high.” Filed on March 15, 2024, this legal action follows a similar lawsuit by the Department of Justice earlier in the week.
The complaint centers on Howard and Montgomery Counties, where the RNC claims the number of registered voters exceeds the number of citizens over the age of 18. Furthermore, the lawsuit notes that ten additional counties report voter registration rates exceeding 95%, surpassing the state’s overall registration levels.
The lawsuit targets Jared DeMarinis, the State Administrator of Elections, along with four members of the Board of Elections and election officials from the aforementioned counties. Maryland election officials have not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the lawsuit.
In July 2023, the RNC and its legal representatives sent a letter to DeMarinis requesting the state’s voter registration list, alleging violations of federal law. The current lawsuit is filed under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandates that states make a reasonable effort to remove ineligible voters from official lists.
The RNC and Maryland GOP assert that the alleged inaccuracies in voter registration numbers adversely affect “campaign-related activities” and “get-out-the-vote efforts,” ultimately hindering their ability to support Republican candidates. The complaint references a 2023 audit indicating that the State Board of Elections’ review of voter registration data was “inadequate,” with findings suggesting that the voter rolls contained names of deceased and ineligible individuals.
This legal challenge comes shortly after the Department of Justice filed lawsuits against DeMarinis and officials from five other states for failing to provide requested voter registration rolls. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “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.” She emphasized the Department’s commitment to pursuing election integrity litigation until states adhere to fundamental election safeguards.
As the case unfolds, its implications could significantly impact the political landscape in Maryland and beyond, raising questions about the integrity of voter registration processes in the state.
