Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR

Maryland enacted further pro-voter enhancements this year, but left a key structural improvement on the table. The Legislature failed to pass legislation that would update its automatic voter registration system to a more efficient model. This persistent gap in modernization resulted in a B rating.

Looking Back

Where Maryland Started at the Beginning of 2025

• Automatic Voter Registration: Partial AVR
• Online Voter Registration: DMV ID
• Same-Day Registration: Yes
• Restoration of Rights: Prison Disenfranchisement
• Vote by Mail: No-Excuse
• Electronic Registration Information Center Member: Yes
• Early Voting Opportunities: Regular Ballot Early Voting
• ID Requirements: No Document Required

Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for Maryland as of 2024, we considered the state a top tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2025 activity against other top tier states.

How Our Tier Compares

• COVI (2024): 17th
• EPI Score (2022): 18th

2025: This Past Year

Legislative Action

The Maryland General Assembly passed a host of pro-voter reforms during the 2025 session.

• HB 983 / SB 685 establishes the “Language Assistance Program” and requires counties to participate if the State Board of Elections determines that there is a “significant need” for language assistance for voters in the county.
• HB 274 / SB 259 requires local election boards to submit an election plan to the State Board of Elections for approval at least 7 months before a statewide primary election. In establishing their plans, local boards must analyze how to maximize voter participation when siting polling places and selecting drop box locations.
• HB 201 / SB 93 requires local election boards to send all voters, other than those already on the permanent absentee ballot list, information about voting by mail along with a sample ballot and other election mailings.
• HB 426 / SB 313 requires the State Board of Elections, in cooperation with the local election boards, to conduct risk-limiting audits after every statewide election.
• HB 586 / SB 534 allows high school students that serve as pollworkers to opt to receive payment or class credit and clarifies that pollworkers will be paid for completing training only after they have worked a day as a pollworker.
• HB 199 / SB 257 makes minor improvements to the notification process for voters on the permanent absentee ballot list.