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Bill

SB 1014

Election Law - Party and Elected Public Offices - Prohibition

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Watson

The bill bars holding a county party central committee office and an elected public office at the same time, while still allowing simultaneous candidacy for both.

First Reading Senate Rules
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Bill Summary · SB 1014

SB 1014 — Election Law — Party and Elected Public Offices — Prohibition

Status: First Reading, assigned to Rules (Introduced Feb 3, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Sen. Watson
Companion bills: HB 287 (companion)
Effective date (as introduced): October 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

The bill clarifies and tightens Maryland election law regarding simultaneous candidacy for and simultaneous incumbency in political party offices and elected public offices. It narrows the opportunity for an individual to occupy a party leadership position (county central committee member) at the same time as they hold an elected public office.

Key provisions

  • Defines “party office” for the purposes of the section as: the office of a member of a county central committee of a political party.
  • Maintains existing prohibitions that:
    • An individual may not be a candidate for more than one elected public office at the same time.
    • An individual may not be a candidate for more than one party office at the same time.
  • Retains allowance (unless a political party’s internal rules prohibit it) for an individual to be a candidate simultaneously for a party office and an elected public office.
  • Adds a new, substantive prohibition: an individual may not simultaneously hold (i.e., be incumbent in) a party office (county central committee member) and an elected public office.
  • Creates a specific exception: the new prohibition does not apply to an individual who simultaneously holds an elected public office and is a delegate to the national presidential nominating convention.
  • Repeals and reenacts without amendment certain definitional and delegate-selection provisions (Article — Election Law: §1–101(a), (l–1), (hh), and §8–501(a)); §5–204 is repealed and reenacted with the amendments described above.

Who is affected

  • Current and prospective members of county central committees (party officers).
  • Elected public officeholders who may also serve on county party central committees.
  • Candidates who seek to run concurrently for party office and public office (the law still allows simultaneous candidacy in most cases, but not simultaneous incumbency).
  • Political parties, which may still regulate candidacy for party posts under their own rules.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Incumbent elected officials who currently serve on county central committees would need to vacate their party office if the bill becomes law.
  • Election administrators and party organizations may need to adjust candidate filing guidance and verify incumbency conflicts.
  • The bill distinguishes candidacy (still largely permitted) from holding office (now barred), so transitional timing (resignations, special elections for vacated party posts) may follow enactment.
  • No criminal penalties or enforcement mechanisms are specified in the bill text; enforcement would rely on election administration procedures and party implementation.
  • Effective date is October 1, 2025 (as stated in the bill).

Legislative posture

  • Introduced in the Senate (Sen. Watson) and referred to Rules (first reading Feb 3, 2025). Companion measures noted (HB 287).

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

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