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MarylandSB 06852025 Regular SessionSenate

Election Law - Local Boards of Elections - Language Assistance Program

Sponsored By: Malcolm Augustine (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ElectionsAttorney GeneralBallots -see also- Abs&MailInBallots; Abs&MailInVotingCensusCommunications -see also- ElecComm; Intergov; Telecom; etc.Courts -see also- AppCt; Circuit; District; Orphans'; etc.Demographics -see also- Census; DataElections SupervisorsElections, State Board ofFormsInternet -see also- Internet AccessLanguage -see also- Communications; LiteracyNoticesPublications -see also- Maryland Register; TextbooksPublic InformationRecruitment and HiringRegistration -see also- Motor Vehicle RegistrationRules and RegulationsStandards and Best PracticesSubpoenasTelecommunications and Information TechnologyVoting -see also- Absentee and Mail-In Voting

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More language help for Maryland voters

Effective October 1, 2025, Maryland's Language Assistance Program expands help for voters with limited English in designated languages. A language qualifies when its speakers with limited English exceed 2% or 4,000 of a county's voting-age citizens. The State Board uses the best available public data and may set rules to designate additional languages. Limited English means English is not the person's primary language and they speak, read, or understand it less than very well. Participating boards must offer communication through a translator at every early voting center and election-day polling place. They must post signs in designated languages, provide online voting materials, and make reasonable efforts to recruit bilingual election judges. Covered materials include registration and absentee ballot applications, sample ballots, and forms or instructions needed to vote. Translations must match English materials in quality and timing, preserve their meaning, and not rely solely on automated translation. For oral or unwritten languages, boards may provide only oral instructions or other language assistance. The State Board oversees the program, must adopt rules, and may approve extra local assistance. It must publish the initial language and board lists by February 1 of the election year. A separate deadline requires online lists by January 1, 2026, with updates at least every two years. The State Board must promptly notify affected local boards and county financial officers, allowing boards time to comply.

Counties pay most language assistance costs

Effective October 1, 2025, participating Maryland counties must pay Language Assistance Program expenses beyond state-supplied licensed translation software services. County costs include needed hardware and charges for each use of the software. This duty applies when a county's local election board must participate. The law specifies no dollar amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Malcolm Augustine

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 43

House vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 104 • No: 31 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 32 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 277

    5/6/2025

  2. Returned Passed

    4/7/2025Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (104-31)

    4/7/2025House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/7/2025House

  5. Favorable Report by Ways and Means

    4/5/2025House

  6. Rereferred to Ways and Means

    4/4/2025House

  7. Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

    4/4/2025House

  8. Third Reading Passed (32-12)

    4/4/2025Senate

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/3/2025Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments {373320/1 Adopted

    4/3/2025Senate

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

    4/3/2025Senate

  12. Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/4/2025Senate

  13. First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

    1/30/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    4/3/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/30/2025

    PDF

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