THE COMPENDIUM
- crowsden
- 6 days ago
- 18 min read
šš½BESIDES being a widely published and referenced research and investigative Election Integrity organization, Maryland 20-20 Watch is also a FREE educational platform about ALL THINGS related to the Election process, laws, media distractions and those issues that surround the vast corrupt government landscape that controls the results.
*ļøā£ We are not Grifters getting paid for "clicks or likes".
We are not "LIMELIGHTERS or LUNCHEONAIRES"Ā©
We bring our own self-funded, in-house, hands on, personal skin-in-the-game experience - NEVER for fame or fortune.
We will always provide the TRUTH
verified, vetted, sourced and FREEā¼ļø
ā¦ļø So what you'll find here is a collection of questions that people often ask, misrepresent or speculate about without very much scholarship or comprehension about the subject. Also you'll find the TRUE answers along with the LEGAL citing and references (regulations, rules, statutes, laws and associated details that make up a definitive package of useful information)........ for people who actually take the time TO BE CORRECTLY INFORMEDā¼ļø
ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø
š„ SO LETS GET TO ITā¼ļø
THIS IS AS OF AUGUST 26, 2026 but subject to change - Attached below you'll find everything you need to demonstrate your knowledge with the current references and facts required to TEACH others.....
šš½Please help yourself to all our information.
*ļøā£ WE ONLY ASK THAT YOU SHARE IT WIDELY & IDENTIFY US AS YOUR SOURCE.
ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø ā¦ļø
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Existing Laws in MD
Online voter registration is available on the website of the State Board of Elections, as is required by statute. Applicants for registration must provide a driver's license or state ID number, the date the ID was issued, and the last four digits of their Social Security number.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-204.1
Md. Code Regs. 33.05.02.03
Voter Registration and Mail-in Ballot Request, The Maryland State Board of Elections
Same-day registration is available up to the close of polls on Election Day and during the early voting period, which begins 12 days before Election Day and ends on the Thursday before Election Day. Prior to same-day registration, applications submitted in person must be received by 5 p.m. on the 21st day before the election.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-302(a)(2)(i)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-305
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-306
Mailed applications must be postmarked by the 21st day before Election Day.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-302
Online applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the 21st day before Election Day.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-302(a)(2)(ii)
Otherwise eligible residents pay pre-register starting at age 16.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-102(a)(1)(ii), (2)(i)
Same day registration begins on the second Thursday before the election and continues through the Thursday before the election. Same day registration resumes when voting does, on Election Day. Same day registration is available during presidential and gubernatorial primaries and general elections, and during special primary and general elections.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-305(a), (c)(2)(iii)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-306(a), (c)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(d)(1), (2)
Md. Code Regs. 33.19.01.01
Voters register to vote and immediately cast ballots at any early voting center in their county. A voter can similarly register and vote at any polling place in their county on Election Day, but at any polling place other than the voter's correct one, the voter will be issued a provisional ballot.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-306(a)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-305(a), (d)
Md. Code Regs. 33.19.01.01
Voters must provide the information necessary to register and prove residency. Specifically, the voter must provide a driver's license or state ID number, or if none, the last four of their social security number, or if none, an attestation of that fact plus acceptable alternative documentation to register. "Proof of residency" means a current MVA-issued driver's license, ID card or MVA-change of address card; or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or another current government document. Depending on the ID and/or documents provided, both steps may be completed with the same documents.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-305(b)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-306(b)
Md. Code Regs. 33.01.01.01(22), (26)
Md. Code Regs. 33.05.04.04(A), (B)
Md. Code Regs. 33.05.04.07(B)
Maryland does not have a residency length requirement.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-102(a)(1)(iii)
On Election Day, if the new registrant provides proof of residence making the voter eligible to vote at that polling place, the voter will be issued a regular ballot. If the voter is attempting to register and vote in the right county but wrong precinct, the voter will be given a provisional ballot. During early voting, new registrants will be issued a regular ballot only if they are "pre-qualified" by the State Board of Elections and prove residency. Otherwise, they will be issued provisional ballots.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-305(c)(2)(iii)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-306(c)(2)(III), (c)(3)(III)
Md. Code Regs. 33.19.04.02
Md. Code Regs. 33.19.04.01
Md. Code Regs. 33.01.01.01 (B)(25)
Md. Code Regs. 33.16.03.01(A)(4)(d)
Eligible residents are automatically registered to vote when completing applications for services at voter registration agencies if they do not opt out during the transaction. These include the Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, Mobility Certification Office, and local departments of social services.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-203
Eligible applicants for services at an automatic voter registration agency are offered the chance to opt out of voter registration during their transaction with that agency.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-203(a)(4)(i)(1), (a)(4)(iii)
Automatic voter registration takes place at the Motor Vehicle Administration, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, the Mobility Certification Office in the Maryland Transportation Administration, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and other local departments of social services in the Department of Human Services.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-203(a)(3), (5)
šØ NOW LETS TACKLE SOME "MAIL-IN VOTING" QUESTIONS.....
All voters are eligible to request and cast a mail ballot.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-304
The information required of voters varies based on the application method and the requested ballot delivery method. Voters who request to receive a ballot by mail using the paper application must provide only basic information and their signature. Voters who apply using the online portal must provide a Maryland driverās license or non-driver ID, the date the ID was issued, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. Voters completing a paper application who wish to have their ballot sent to them by email must provide a state driver's license or non-driver ID with the issue date or the last four digits of their Social Security number.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-305(a), (b)
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.02.02
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.02.03(B)
For voters requesting to receive their ballot by mail or fax, applications must be received by the seventh day before Election Day. Applications sent by mail must be received by 8 p.m., and applications sent by fax or online must be received by 11:59 p.m. For voters requesting to receive a link through which they can download and print their ballot, applications must be received by the Friday before Election Day. Applications sent by my mail must be received by 5 p.m., and applications sent by fax or online must be received by 11:59 p.m. Voters who request their ballot in person at their local board office (including through an authorized agent) must submit their application before 8 p.m. (the close of the polls) on Election Day.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-305(c)
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.02.01(D)
Local election officials must send out mail ballots by the 43rd day before an election to voters who requested them at least 60 days before Election Day. For requests made fewer than 60 days before an election, officials must send out ballots "as soon as practicable" by the voterās chosen method and deliver ballots immediately in response to a proper in-person request.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-306(c)
Voters who were sent a mail ballot and then wish to vote in person on Election Day or during early voting must cast provisional ballots. The provisional ballot will be counted if their mail ballot has not been returned.
Md. Code Regs. 33.16.06.04(B)
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.05.04(C)
ā¦ļø Permanent Mail Voting Lists
All voters may sign up to receive mail ballots on an ongoing basis.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-311.1
Voters can sign up to join the permanent mail voting list via the standard mail ballot application form, which can be completed online or downloaded and printed for return.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-311.1
Mail-in Ballot Request, Maryland State Board of Elections
Enrolling in the permanent mail voting list cannot be done as part of the voter registration process.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-311.1
Voters are removed for not voting by mail in two consecutive statewide general elections.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-311.1(i)(3)
Universal mail voting is available only for certain special elections that are not held concurrently with a regularly scheduled primary or general election, at the discretion of the local governing body. Vacancies for the following offices, if done by special election, can be filled by universal mail voting:
U.S. Congress
County council
County chief executive officer
County executive of a charter county
County commissioner
Local school board
Charter board
During a mail election, voters may vote in person at a voting center, which open six days before the special election and remains open through Election Day, including the weekend before Election Day. If a voterās mailed ballot has not been received, they are issued a regular ballot; if it has, they may cast a provisional ballot. Each local board must establish at least one voting center that meets polling place requirements, and Montgomery County must establish one in each county council district.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-501(c), (d)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-502(f)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-503
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.06.02(A)
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.03.03(B)
ā¦ļøReturning, Verifying, and Curing Mail Ballots
A voter does not need to include any special identification information to complete and return a mail ballot, either in a traditional election or a mail ballot election.
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.04.05(C)
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.07.01-.02
In a traditional election, voters may return a completed ballot by mail, or by delivering it or having it delivered to an early voting site, a polling place, a drop box, or the local board of elections office.
In a mail ballot election, voters may return a completed ballot by mail, by delivering it or having it delivered to a vote center, or by delivering it or having it delivered to the local board of elections.
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.06(E)
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.08(B)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-504(a)(1)-(3)
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.06.02(B)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 1-101(d-1)
Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Election Day, and received by 10 a.m. on the second Friday after the election. If a voter delivers the ballot to the local board of elections, whether personally or by a third party, it must be received by the board by 8 p.m. on Election Day. If the ballot is not legibly postmarked, the date the voter signed the affidavit controls.
The same rules apply to elections in which all voters are mailed a ballot automatically.
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.08(B)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-505(a)
Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by 10 a.m. on the second Friday after Election Day. If the postmark is missing or illegible, a ballot may be counted if the voter's affidavit indicates it was mailed by Election Day.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-505
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.08(B)
*ļøā£ The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is commonly referred to as UOCAVA
"Electronic ballot return" (EBR) is not offered. Military and overseas voters must return their completed ballots by mail.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-505
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.08(B)
Md. State Bd. of Elections, Absentee Voting by Military Voters and Voters who Reside Outside the U.S. (under "How do I vote my mail-in ballot?")
In both a traditional election and one conducted with universal mail ballots, the ballot return envelope given to voters must include prepaid return postage.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-310(a)(iv)
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.03.02(D)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-502(c)
In traditional elections, every county is required to offer one or more early voting sites, and early voting sites must accept mail ballots.
Maryland law provides rules for siting and securing drop boxes, but does not require any particular number of them to be used.
In mail ballot elections, alternative drop off locations are not available; ballots may be returned by mail or to the office of the local board of elections during business hours.
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.06(G)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§Ā§ 2-304, 2-305
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-504
š„ HOWEVER THERE'S A LOT TO KNOW ABOUT "DROP BOXES" BEFORE YOU TRUST THEMā¼ļø OUR PUBLISHED DISCOVERIES ARE BASED ON FACTS.
You can access that research HERE šš½
In both traditional and mail ballot elections, a voter may designate any person who is 18 years or older and who is not a candidate on that ballot to pick up and return the voter's ballot. The voter must make the designation in writing under penalty of perjury, and the agent must also sign an affirmation. Other than the full agency situation, third party return is not addressed.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-307(b)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-504(a)(3), (b)
A regulation requires a voter in a traditional election to be able to track whether the voter's mail ballot application was received and processed, and whether the ballot was received and counted. The State Board of Elections website indicates this tracking is available through the Voter Lookup portal.
Although the governing regulation does not address mail ballot elections, when not otherwise specified, traditional election mail ballot rules apply and thus tracking is likely available in mail ballot elections as well.
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.06.03
Voter Lookup, Maryland State Board of Elections,
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-501(e)
Ballots that are untimely, unsigned, or unsealed (and delivered through an agent or showing signs of tampering) are rejected. In a traditional election, voters on the absentee list who vote in person cast a provisional ballot.
Pursuant to an emergency regulation set to expire on December 1, 2022, if a voter returns both an absentee ballot and a provisional ballot, the first processed ballot counts. Most of the time, that will be the absentee ballot.
However, if the provisional ballot is counted before the absentee ballot arrives, the absentee ballot will be rejected. After the emergency regulation expires, both ballots would be rejected.
In a mail ballot election, canvassing of mail ballots follows the traditional election rules, except that if a person casts a vote at a vote center, it does not appear to be provisional, and if they also return a mail ballot, only the mail ballot is rejected.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 11-302(d)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 9-303(b)(5), (9)
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.04.08(A)
Md. Code Regs.33.11.05.03
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.05.04 (emergency regulation through 12/1/22)
Md. Code Regs. 33.16.04.02(A)(2)(c)
Md. Code Regs. 33.16.06.04
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.07.01
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.07.02
Maryland officials must begin processing mail ballots eight business days before the first day of early voting, which starts on the second Thursday before Election Day. However, a local board can request that the requirement be waived if it receives a low number of mail ballots or early processing is not practicable due to limited resources or constraints. Local boards will begin the vote tallying process when all ballots have been processed.
Md. Code Ann., Elec. Law Ā§ 11-302(b)(1)(i)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(d)
If a voter timely returns a mail ballot without signing the oath on the envelope, the election official must promptly notify the voter, inform them how to correct the issue, and tell them the deadline to correct it so that the voter's ballot may count. Voters may sign the oath by email, mail, state-approved text application, in-person visit to the local board, or other methods approved by the state board. The regulation does not specify the deadline for cure.
However, the regulation does say that election officials must try to offer cure to ballots that were timely mailed but not received before the second Wednesday after Election Day.
Notice must be given by the method the voter indicated on their ballot application that they prefer to be communicated with, namely mail, email, or text message. If that method of notice fails, the official must try another method.
Maryland statutes do not address cure, but they give the State Board of Elections broad regulatory power, and the Board has created a notice and cure process by regulation. Because of the location of the regulation, the process appears to apply to mail ballots in traditional elections only, not ballots returned during mail ballot elections.
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.06
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.07.01
Md. Code Regs. 33.21.07.02
The regulation creating the cure process does not specify a deadline. However, the regulation provides that cure is possible for timely mailed ballots that are received as late as the second Wednesday after Election Day.
Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.06
ā¦ļø Early Voting Availability
Early voting is offered for regular primaries and regular general elections, whether in the presidential or gubernatorial cycles. Early voting is not available for special elections, unless they are conducted by mail.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(a)
Md. Code Regs. 33.17.01.02
Early voting starts on the second Thursday before Election Day, which for an ordinary election is 12 days before Election Day.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(d)
Early voting in Maryland ends the Thursday before Election Day.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(d)
The Maryland Constitution authorizes the legislature to provide up to ten days of early voting in the two weeks before Election Day. The statute provides eight days of voting in that time frame.
Md. Const. art. I, Ā§ 3
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(d)
Early voting centers are opened in each county. A voter may vote at any early voting center in their county.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(a)(2)
The number of required early voting centers depends on the county's population. Effective October 1, 2021, a county with:
āŖļøFewer than 50,000 registered voters must have one;
āŖļøBetween 50,000 and 99,999 registered voters must have two;
āŖļøBetween 100,000 and 199,999 registered voters must have three;
āŖļøBetween 200,000 and 299,999 registered voters must have five;
āŖļøBetween 300,000 and 399,999 registered voters must have seven;
āŖļøBetween 400,000 and 499,999 registered voters must have nine;
āŖļøBetween 500,000 and 599,999 registered voters must have 11; and
āŖļøAt least 600,000 registered voters must have 13.
In addition, each county may work with the state and local board of elections to open one more.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(b), (c)
Counties must offer thirteen hours of early voting, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., each early voting day.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(d)(2)
The early voting period runs eight days from a Thursday to a Thursday, with voting on both weekend days. Those weekend days are not immediately before the election, but rather the second weekend before the election.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1(d)(2)
Maryland voters, whether voting early or on Election Day, need not provide ID or a ID number prior to voting.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-301.1
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 10-310(a)
ā¦ļø LET'S LOOK AT I.D. REQUIREMENTS
A voter does not need to provide an ID document to vote in Maryland.
Md. Code Regs. 33.07.06.01
Md. Code Regs. 33.07.06.04
ā¦ļøTHIS SECTION IS OF GREAT INTEREST TO MANY. I am proud to say William Newton & Maryland 20-20 Watch were instrumental in have State law changed that restored voting rights to individuals that paid their debt to society after serving time.
People convicted of felonies lose their voting rights during their incarceration only. Maryland also disenfranchises people convicted of the misdemeanor of buying or selling votes. Short of a pardon, a person convicted of that crime can never vote in Maryland again.
Md. Const. art. I, Ā§ 4
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-102(b)(1), (3)
Md. Code Regs. 33.18.02.02
Md. Code Regs. 33.18.02.03
Voting rights are restored automatically when people are released from incarceration, even if they are on probation or parole. The one exception is a person convicted of buying or selling votes.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-102(b)(1), (3)
When registering, the person signs the same attestation everyone does, which includes the statement "I have not been convicted of a felony, or if I have, I have completed serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment."
Maryland Voter Registration Application, Maryland State Board of Elections SBE 03-202-1 Rev 09/20 VRA
Completing the term of imprisonment automatically restores the voting eligibility of people convicted of felonies. Nonetheless, the voting eligibility of a person convicted of the misdemeanor of buying and selling votes is not automatically restored upon completion of incarceration. A person convicted of that misdemeanor must be pardoned to be eligible to vote.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-102(b)(1)
Md. Code Regs. 33.18.02.02
Md. Code Regs. 33.18.02.03
ā¦ļø EXCEPTIONS
In Maryland, the only crime for which voting rights are not restored short of a pardon or vacatur of the conviction is the crime of buying and selling votes.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-102(b)(1)
Md. Code Regs. 33.18.02.02
Md. Code Regs. 33.18.02.03
ā¦ļø NOW WE CAN COVER THE HOT TOPIC OF VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE.....
The local board of elections learns from multiple sources that people who may be registered voters have died.
āŖļøFirst, the state board of elections passes on the information it receives from the Maryland Department of Health, the Social Security Administration, and the official vital statistics agency of another state or territory.
āŖļøSecond, the local board will act on a published obituary or other reliable report of a death.
āŖļøLast, the Jury Commissioner will report knowing of the death of a prospective juror. If the report of a voter's death comes from the Maryland Department of Health or its equivalent in another state or U.S. territory, the voter is removed from the registration list. If the report is from the Social Security Agency or the Jury Commissioner, the local board mails a notice stating that the source has reported the voter deceased, and the voter will be removed from the registration list unless the voter objects within two weeks of the notice. If the voter objects, the cancellation is terminated. If not, the registration is canceled. If the local board receives notice of a voter's death from a different reliable source, the local board sends a notice to verify the death. If the death is confirmed, the registration is canceled.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-501(2)(ii)
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-504(a)(1)(ii), (3), (b)(1), (c)
Md. Code Regs. 33.05.06.05(A), (B)
Md. Code Regs. 33.05.06.06(A)(2), (C), (E)(2)(b)
Maryland statutes and regulations do not authorize the removal of a voter's registration for non-voting.
Md. Code, Elec. Law Ā§ 3-501
ā¦ļøHOW ABOUT THE "ERIC" SYSTEM āļø
I've spent years investigating ERIC and David Becker........ especially because Maryland was an original member and financial sponsor.
šØBUT YOU SAY: "WE HAVE LAWS"āļø
Since when has that ever been a deterrent for government especially in Maryland..... there's more than enough evidence that proves laws are what the public must follow. It doesn't apply to the Executive Branch, the Legislature or the Judiciaryā¼ļø #NewtonSaidIt prove me wrong.......
MEANWHILE - In Maryland, at the moment we're tracking 44 bills impacting 15 issue areas.
HERE'S THE LIST - You can use the bill tracker (a direct secure platform) to follow the process and current status at:
Maryland Legislature | 2026 | LegiScan https://share.google/v4foRYODGGflNzDIH
MD S 141 (2026)
MD S 29 (2026)
MD H 115 (2026)
MD S 241 (2026)
MD S 949 (2026)
MD S 848 (2026)
MD S 670 (2026)
MD H 1001 (2026)
MD H 1448 (2026)
MD S 255 (2026)
MD S 100 (2026)
MD S 91 (2026)
MD H 265 (2026)
MD H 263 (2026)
MD H 1069 (2026)
MD H 145 (2026)
MD H 156 (2026)
MD S 845 (2026)
MD H 1407 (2026)
MD H 1403 (2026)
MD H 964 (2026)
MD H 1066 (2026)
MD H 1027 (2026)
MD S 567 (2026)
MD S 948 (2026)
MD S 901 (2026)
MD S 727 (2026)
MD S 132 (2026)
MD S 89 (2026)
MD S 73 (2026)
MD H 219 (2026)
MD H 52 (2026)
MD H 350 (2026)
MD H 462 (2026)
MD H 454 (2026)
MD H 499 (2026)
MD H 496 (2026)
MD H 584 (2026)
MD H 871 (2026)
MD H 830 (2026)
MD H 662 (2026)
MD H 641 (2026)
MD H 581 (2026)
MD H 221 (2026)
*("H" denotes House. "S" denotes Senate).
šøWatson v. RNC
In WATSON vs. RNC the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Mississippiās mail ballot deadline. The Court reaffirmed statesā authority to set their own rules around whether to accept ballots postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive afterward. Current federal statutes defining Election Day, the Court ruled, do not preempt these state laws. The ruling is a major victory for the 15 states that currently offer postmark grace periods. It will ensure that tens of thousands of votes will not be rejected simply because of postal delays beyond votersā control.Ā
šøLouisiana v. Callais
In LOUISIANA vs. CALLAIS, the Supreme Court handed states more power to control their elections, but at the expense of fair representation. In the closely-watched case, the Court significantly tightened the standards federal courts must apply to determine whether district maps violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This law has ensured fair representation for communities of color for decades. The result: states like Tennessee and Louisiana moved immediately to redraw their congressional maps for partisan gain ā just in time for the midterms.
šøBOST v. ILLINOIS. ST. BD. OF ELECTIONS
In a challenge to Illinoisā mail ballot deadline, the Supreme Court ruled that candidates in federal elections have legal standing to challenge state election laws. While the decision could help resolve legal challenges before voters go to the polls, it also lowers the bar for challenges, potentially increasing the number of frivolous or politically motivated lawsuits that could disrupt the election process.
šøTRUMP vs. SLAUGHTER
Though not strictly an election case, state and local election officials are already feeling the impact of this decision. The Supreme Court ruled that the President has the authority to fire the heads of certain federal agencies at will. Within two weeks of the decision, President Trump fired all three remaining commissioners of the Election Assistance Commission. Without any leadership, the commission has limited authority, leaving state election officials in the dark about critical federal support this fall, including grant funding, federal voter registration form maintenance, and voting equipment certification.Ā
āŖļø Lower Courts Side with States
Outside the Supreme Court.
This tug-of-war for control played out across many lower courts. But in every major case, the lesson is clear: states, not the federal executive branch, are in the driverās seat when it comes to election administration.
āŖļøCourts Deny DOJās Voter Roll Demand
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has repeatedly sought access to statesā full voter registration lists, including personal data such as driverās license and Social Security numbers. While a some states acquiesced, many have pushed back, citing state and federal privacy laws. To date, the DOJ has sued 30 states and Washington, D.C., but all 17 federal courts have denied these efforts. Their argument is simple: federal law does not override statesā constitutional authority to run elections.
āŖļøCourts Block Trumpās Executive Orders
The lower courts have also blocked President Trumpās efforts to reshape how elections are run through executive orders. Last year, the President issued an executive order demanding proof of citizenship for voter registration, changes to military voting, shortened mail ballot deadlines, and the decertification of election equipment, among other changes to how states run elections. The administration has appealed the injunctions, but none of the appellate courts seem in any hurry to consider the appeals.
āŖļøOne year later, the President issued a second executive order on elections ā which is facing similar roadblocks in the courts. This time around, the President sought to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create lists of confirmed U.S. citizens for states to use in maintaining voter lists. The order also sought to impose new restrictions on the Postal Serviceās ability to deliver mail ballots.
*ļøā£ Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C. sued in a Massachusetts federal court, which ultimately granted a preliminary injunction preventing implementation of the executive order in those states. Separate litigation in D.C. federal courts is ongoing.
šØJUST REMEMBER IVE EXPLAINED "THE PURCELL PRINCIPLE" more than a dozen times already --- LOOK IT UPā¼ļø
š„ One study by the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School found that the combined election-related caseload of state and federal courts increased dramatically between the last two midterm elections ā from 226 cases in 2018 to 407 in 2022. This trend will only escalate in the wake of the Bost decision, suggesting courts at all levels will need to consider significant election issues throughout the rest of 2026ā¼ļø
WELL ......THIS "Compendium" is NOT YET fully completed but like the court docket, ITS FULL.......
We'll be baaack š
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