PRIA Logo™
MarylandHB 01822026 Regular SessionHouse

Election Law - Presidential Electors - Selection and Voting

Sponsored By: Dana Stein (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ElectionsBallots -see also- Abs&MailInBallots; Abs&MailInVotingCertificationsElections, State Board ofFederal GovernmentGovernorMeetings -see also- Hearings; Open GovernmentOathsPolitical CandidatesPolitical PartiesRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsSignaturesSunsetVoting -see also- Absentee and Mail-In Voting

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Electoral votes tied to national popular vote

The law sets how Maryland picks and binds its presidential electors. Maryland uses its own statewide results when the National Popular Vote Compact is not in effect. When the Compact is in effect in states with a majority of electoral votes, Maryland appoints electors for the national popular vote winners. Electors must vote for those national winners.

Parties must name and pledge electors

Each party and every unaffiliated presidential candidate must submit two people for each elector spot: a nominee and an alternate. They must certify names and home addresses to the State Board at least 30 days before the general election. Each nominee and alternate must sign a pledge to serve and vote for their party’s ticket or the unaffiliated candidate and running mate. If a party’s nominees change before electors meet, the pledge follows the successor under party rules. Any substitute elector who has not already signed must sign the same pledge.

Rules to meet, vote, and replace electors

The State Administrator presides when electors meet at the State House on the date set by federal law and administers the oath. Each elector gets presidential and vice‑presidential ballots and must sign and print their name on each. The Administrator accepts only ballots that match the elector’s pledge or, when the Compact is in effect, the national popular vote winners. If an elector refuses to present a ballot, leaves it blank, refuses to sign, or votes against the pledge, the seat is vacant. Vacancies are filled first by the named alternate, then by lot from remaining alternates, or by any available qualified person, and the process repeats until all electoral votes are cast and recorded.

Updated elector certificates sent to Washington

The Governor certifies Maryland’s electors in a certificate of ascertainment and must issue an amended certificate if any seat changes. After electors finish voting, if the final list differs, the State Administrator prepares an amended certificate and the certificate of the vote. The Governor signs the amended certificate, and the state sends the signed federal certificates as federal law requires.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dana Stein

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 300 • No: 9

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 127 • No: 9 • Other: 4

House vote • 3/4/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 128 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 470

    5/12/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (127-9)

    4/13/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/13/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (45-0)

    4/13/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {873924/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/5/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (128-0)

    3/4/2026House

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/3/2026House

  12. Favorable with Amendments {643021/1 Adopted

    3/3/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

    3/2/2026House

  14. Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m.

    1/16/2026House

  15. First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

    1/14/2026House

  16. Pre-filed

    8/1/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/12/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/3/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation