Maryland State Administrator of Elections Addresses Mis/Disinformation of the “Nationalization of Elections”

Recent events and high-profile press statements have suggested the possibility of nationalizing election administration in an attempt to cast doubts on election security maintained by the States. Before any misinformation or disinformation takes hold from these statements, the State Administrator of Elections, Jared DeMarinis, issued the following statement to provide corrective information:

The United States Constitution is clear: the authority to administer elections predominately resides with the States. The States administer and conduct elections each according to their laws and regulations, subject to limited Congressional authority. The President of the United States has no constitutional or statutory authority to nationalize Maryland’s elections and electoral processes.

As State Administrator of the Maryland State Board of Elections, I want to assure voters that we are dedicated to ensuring that all elections are run in a manner that is safe, secure, transparent and accessible for all eligible voters. We are guided by the principle enshrined in Maryland’s Declaration of Rights- “the right of the People to participate in the Legislature is the best security of liberty and the foundation of all free Government; . . . and every citizen having the qualifications prescribed by the Constitution, ought to have the right of suffrage.”

Additionally, statements on the presence of federal enforcement agents in and around polling locations may cause apprehension or anxiety for certain communities. This office is committed to protecting voters from undue harassment or intimidation regarding when they voted, how they voted, and who they voted for. Elections are the foundation of our democracy, and, in 2026, it is how we use our voice to determine the future of our State. All eligible voters have a Constitutional right to use their voice and their vote. Do not be deterred from voting due to a perceived threat against a community. Mail-in voting is a viable option and an alternative to in-person voting. Mail-in voting is safe, secure, convenient and legal. Don’t let the noise disenfranchise or silence your voice. This right was hard fought for over the course of our country’s history, and we do not take protecting that right lightly.

Again, Marylanders should feel confident in our election administration. Always verify the information you hear or see, whether on social media, from a friend, or any other source, with the trusted source of electoral information, the Maryland State Board of Elections. The Maryland State Board of Elections ensures Marylanders can exercise their constitutional right in a verified, open, transparent and empowering manner that is safe and secure.