Congressional Delegation Wants Answers on Election Snags Before 2020

Six members of Maryland's congressional delegation are raising questions about election security and operations in the state ahead of 2020. Democratic Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Reps. Elijah E. Cummings, Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and John P. Sarbanes, sent a letter to Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) with a series of questions detailing concerns about the 2018 election…. The lawmakers also asserted that before and after the 2018 elections there were concerns about whether voters with disabilities in Maryland are able to vote privately using ballot-marking devices. Earlier this month the National Federation of the Blind sued the State Board of Elections to force an end to what they call a segregated balloting system; the state's response in federal court is not yet due. The lawmakers raised concern that the number of ballots cast in a presidential election year is generally higher than gubernatorial cycles, so it's important concerns from 2018 are addressed…. While the governor appoints the bipartisan members of the state's Board of Elections from party nominees, he is not involved with day-to-day operations of the elections office.