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HB 285

Election Law - Voter Registration List - Absentee Voters (Absentee Ballot Transparency Act of 2025)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Long

HB 285 mandates Maryland election officials publicly disclose detailed absentee voter and ballot distribution information, increasing transparency but raising privacy and election security concerns.

Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 285

Legislative bill overview

HB 285 requires Maryland election officials to maintain and publicly disclose detailed information about absentee voters and absentee ballot distributions. The bill mandates transparency in voter registration lists specifically as they relate to absentee voting patterns, creating new reporting requirements for election administrators.

Why is this important

Absentee voting now represents a significant portion of ballots cast in most elections. This bill directly affects how election data is recorded, stored, and made accessible to the public, which influences transparency in the electoral process and could impact how voters, election observers, and election officials operate.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. Transparency: Creating detailed public lists of absentee voters could expose sensitive personal information, raising concerns about voter privacy, security, and potential harassment or targeting of specific voting groups
  • Election Administration Burden: New reporting requirements add costs and administrative complexity for already-stretched county election offices with limited staffing and resources
  • Data Security Risks: Making absentee voter information publicly available increases the surface area for data breaches, identity theft, and potential manipulation of voter records or voter intimidation campaigns

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

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