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Bill

HB 586

Election Law - Election Judges - Compensation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dana Jones

HB 586 adjusts election judge compensation in Maryland to improve poll worker recruitment and ensure adequate staffing for voting administration statewide.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 390
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 586

Legislative bill overview

HB 586 modifies compensation provisions for election judges in Maryland, adjusting how these officials are paid for their work administering elections. The bill was introduced by Delegate Dana Jones and successfully passed both chambers of the legislature before receiving gubernatorial approval in May 2025.

Why is this important

Election judges are essential personnel who staff polling places and ensure election integrity on voting day. Adjusting their compensation affects the state's ability to recruit and retain qualified poll workers, which directly impacts election administration efficiency and accessibility across Maryland counties.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Changes to election judge compensation affect state and local election budgets, with unclear details on whether this increases or decreases overall spending
  • Recruitment and retention: Depending on whether compensation increased or decreased, the change could either improve or worsen the existing shortage of willing poll workers
  • Equity concerns: Compensation adjustments may create disparities if applied differently across counties or if they don't account for geographic cost-of-living differences in Maryland

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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