Maryland
A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.
This is the state view: events recorded for Maryland, then national events that apply here. See the national timeline.
In Maryland
2026
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Maryland voters to decide Question 3 on congressional districting criteria
Per the Supreme Court of Maryland, Chapter 881 requires the proposed amendment to be submitted to the qualified voters at the November 3, 2026 general election "for adoption or rejection in accordance with Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Governor signs constitutional amendment on congressional districting, to go to voters as Question 3 (HB 2100)
In a special session held August 3 to 5, 2026, the General Assembly passed House Bill 2100, which would clarify that certain districting requirements apply only to Senate and House of Delegates districts, authorize the General Assembly to give the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction to review the congressional plan, and provide that nothing in the Constitution "provides applicable criteria for the boundaries of a congressional districting plan." The Senate passed it 32-13 on August 4 and the Governor approved it on August 5 as Chapter 881, subject to a constitutional referendum.
- Maryland General Assembly: HB 2100 (2026), legislative history ↗
- Supreme Court of Maryland: Maryland State Board of Elections v. Howell, per curiam order (Sept. 3, 2026), quoting Chapter 881 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2022
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Governor vetoes bill allowing early canvassing of mail-in ballots (SB 163 / HB 862)
On May 27, 2022 Governor Larry Hogan vetoed Senate Bill 163 and House Bill 862, "Election Law - Ballots - Processing and Reporting Procedures." His veto letter states that early canvassing of absentee ballots "would allow hard working election officials to get a much needed head start" and that precinct-level reporting would provide valuable information to elected officials.
- Governor Larry Hogan: veto letter on HB 862 and SB 163, May 27, 2022 ↗
- Maryland General Assembly: SB 163 (2022 Regular Session), legislative history ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2021
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Federal determination requires election materials for the Hispanic language group in Montgomery County, Maryland
The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Montgomery County, Maryland, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Hispanic. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.
- Federal Register notice, Voting Rights Act determinations under Section 203 (86 FR 69611, December 8, 2021) ↗
- Census Bureau Section 203 determination public file, 2021 ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Federal determination requires election materials for the Hispanic language group in Prince George's County, Maryland
The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Prince George's County, Maryland, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Hispanic. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.
- Federal Register notice, Voting Rights Act determinations under Section 203 (86 FR 69611, December 8, 2021) ↗
- Census Bureau Section 203 determination public file, 2021 ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
2020
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Court-ordered notice left out of Hagerstown ballot packets in the June 2020 primary
The Maryland State Board of Elections' July 2, 2020 report on the June 2, 2020 mail-in primary lists, among the mailing problems, that "A court-ordered notice was not included in ballot packets for Hagerstown voters." A footnote adds that "The Washington County Board of Elections sent a separate mailing to comply with the court order." The report does not describe the notice's contents.
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Governor postpones the primary to June 2 and orders an all-mail special election for the 7th District
The State Board of Elections' March 2020 report records that on March 17, 2020 Governor Larry Hogan announced by proclamation that the primary would move from April 28 to June 2, 2020, and called on the Board to submit a plan for the presidential primary. The Board's April 2020 report says approximately 500,000 ballot packets with prepaid postage were mailed for the April 28 special general election in the 7th Congressional District.
Congressional districts named: MD-7
- Maryland State Board of Elections: Administrator's report and Assistant Attorney General's report, March 2020 ↗
- Maryland State Board of Elections: Administrator's report, April 20, 2020 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2016
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Federal determination requires election materials for the Hispanic language group in Montgomery County, Maryland
The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Montgomery County, Maryland, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Hispanic. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.
- Federal Register notice, Voting Rights Act determinations under Section 203 (81 FR 87532, December 5, 2016) ↗
- Census Bureau Section 203 determination data files, 2016 ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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General Assembly overrides veto and restores voting rights to people released from prison
House Bill 980 (2015), "Election Law - Voting Rights - Ex-Felons," was vetoed by the Governor on May 22, 2015. The House overrode the veto on January 20, 2016 (85-56) and the Senate did so on February 9, 2016 (29-18). The bill became law as Chapter 6 of 2016, providing that individuals discharged from incarceration are qualified to register to vote.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2011
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Federal determination requires election materials for the Hispanic language group in Montgomery County, Maryland
The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Montgomery County, Maryland, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Hispanic. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.
- Federal Register notice, Voting Rights Act determinations under Section 203 (76 FR 63602, October 13, 2011) ↗
- Census Bureau Section 203 determination data files, 2011 ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
2008
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Voters approve a constitutional amendment on early voting, polling places and absentee ballots
At the November 2008 general election, Maryland voters considered Question 1, "Early Voting; Polling Places; Absentee Ballots," a constitutional amendment. The State Board of Elections' official results show 1,755,844 votes (72.4%) for and 670,759 (27.6%) against.
- Maryland State Board of Elections: 2008 Presidential General Election results for all state questions ↗
- Maryland State Board of Elections: 2008 Presidential Elections (General Election - November 4, 2008) ↗
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
2002
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Federal determination requires election materials for the Hispanic language group in Montgomery County, Maryland
The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Montgomery County, Maryland, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Hispanic. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice.
- Federal Register notice, Voting Rights Act determinations under Section 203 (67 FR 48871, July 26, 2002) ↗
- Census Bureau Section 203 determination file page, 2002 ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
Nationwide
2026
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Postal Service issues final rule on ballot mail for federal elections
The Postal Service's final rule "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections" was published August 26, 2026 and states that it is effective August 21, 2026. It says it responds to Executive Order 14399 and received "more than 200,000 responses" during the comment period. The rule says that, because of injunctions in two Massachusetts cases, the Postal Service "will not take actions to implement the rule specifically for the 2026 election" unless the government obtains relief from them. On September 13, 2026, a federal court in Washington granted preliminary injunctions against the rule.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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House passes bill with a photo-ID voting requirement; Senate cloture vote fails, 53-47, on September 30, 2026
On July 22, 2026, the House passed H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, by 232 to 198 (Roll no. 280). Section 3 of the House-passed text is titled "Requiring voters to provide photo identification." On September 30, 2026, the Senate voted 53 to 47 on cloture on the motion to proceed, and the bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 253).
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Postal Service proposes a rule on ballot mail for federal elections
On June 2, 2026, the Postal Service published a proposed rule, "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections," to amend its Domestic Mail Manual on the transmission of mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections. The final rule says the comment period closed on July 2, 2026.
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (proposed rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 32915 (GovInfo) ↗
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (final rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 54966 (GovInfo) ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14399 on citizenship verification and mail ballots
Executive Order 14399, "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections," is dated March 31, 2026 and was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2026. Section 2 directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit to each state a "State Citizenship List." Section 3 directs the Postmaster General to begin a rulemaking on mail-in and absentee ballots within 60 days. Courts later enjoined parts of the Postal Service rule that followed.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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House passes SAVE America Act text as an amendment to S. 1383, 218-213
On February 11, 2026, the House passed S. 1383 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, by 218 to 213 (Roll no. 69). The House-passed text is titled the "SAVE America Act." On March 17, 2026, the Senate agreed 51 to 48 to a motion to proceed to the House message on S. 1383 (Record Vote 57). On March 21, 2026, a cloture vote on a related motion was "not invoked" by 41 to 49 (Record Vote 61). The bill record lists no final Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2025
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Postal Service adds a Domestic Mail Manual section defining postmarks
On November 24, 2025, the Postal Service published a final rule adding section 608.11, "Postmarks and Postal Possession," to the Domestic Mail Manual, effective December 24, 2025. It says the new language "does not change any existing postal operations or postmarking practices" and is intended to improve public understanding of postmarks and the date of mailing.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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House passes SAVE Act, 220-208; Senate does not act
On April 10, 2025, the House passed H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, by 220 to 208 (Roll no. 102). The bill was received in the Senate the same day; the bill record lists no later action, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14248 on federal elections
Executive Order 14248, "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," is dated March 25, 2025 and was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2025. Section 2 is titled "Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections," Section 4 "Improving the Election Assistance Commission," and Section 7 "Compliance with Federal Law Setting the National Election Day." Courts later enjoined parts of it.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2022
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Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 becomes law
Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328, signed December 29, 2022) may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022." Title I may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
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Senate cloture on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act fails, 49-51
On January 19, 2022, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 9). The bill record also lists a motion by Senator Schumer to appeal the ruling of the chair as "not agreed to," on the question "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the Senate," by 52 to 48 (Record Vote 10). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2021
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Senate vote to begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act fails, 49-51
On October 20, 2021, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2747, the Freedom to Vote Act. The bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 420). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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House passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; Senate cloture vote on November 3, 2021 is 50-49 and fails
On August 24, 2021, the House passed H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, by 219 to 212 (Roll no. 260). On November 3, 2021, a Senate vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the companion bill, S. 4, was 50 to 49 and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 459). Neither bill became law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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For the People Act of 2021 passes the House; Senate committee discharge vote is 50-49 and the bill stalls
On March 3, 2021, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, by 220 to 210 (Roll no. 62). On June 22, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 50 (Roll call 246) on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2093, the For the People Act of 2021, which required 3/5 of the Senate; the Senate roll call records the result as "Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected." On August 11, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 49 to discharge its Rules and Administration Committee from the companion bill, S. 1 (Roll call 358). The bill records list no Senate vote on passage, and neither bill became law.
- H.R. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- S. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 117th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 246 (June 22, 2021) ↗
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
2019
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House passes Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On December 6, 2019, the House passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, by 228 to 187 (Roll no. 654). It was received in the Senate on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; the bill record lists no Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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House passes For the People Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On March 8, 2019, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, by 234 to 193 (Roll no. 118). The bill was received in the Senate on March 12, 2019 and placed on the Senate calendar; the bill record lists no Senate vote on passage, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2018
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President signs Executive Order 13848 on foreign interference in U.S. elections
Executive Order 13848, dated September 12, 2018, imposes sanctions authority in the event of foreign interference in a U.S. election. The order says "there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcome or vote tabulation in any United States election" and declares a national emergency over the threat of interference.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2009
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Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act becomes law
Section 575 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84, dated October 28, 2009) may be cited as the "Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act." It adds a requirement that states transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 days before a federal election, when the request is received at least 45 days before it.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2006
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Voting Rights Act reauthorized and amended in 2006
Public Law 109-246, dated July 27, 2006, may be cited as the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006." Among other changes it amended Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and replaced the references to the 1982 amendments in Section 4(a).
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2002
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Help America Vote Act of 2002 becomes law
Public Law 107-252, dated October 29, 2002, is titled, in part, "To establish a program to provide funds to States to replace punch card voting systems, to establish the Election Assistance Commission" to assist in the administration of federal elections, and "to establish minimum election administration standards for States and units of local government with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1993
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National Voter Registration Act of 1993 becomes law
Public Law 103-31, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, is dated May 20, 1993. The law states its purpose as "to establish procedures that will increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal office."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1986
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Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act becomes law
Public Law 99-410, dated August 28, 1986, may be cited as the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act." Its subject is voting in federal elections by members of the uniformed services and by citizens living overseas.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1982
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Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982 become law
Public Law 97-205, dated June 29, 1982, rewrote Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to bar any practice "imposed or applied by any State or political subdivision in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color." It also provided that a section 4 provision expires "at the end of the twenty-five-year period following the effective date" of the 1982 amendments.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1975
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Voting Rights Act extended in 1975, with language-minority protections
Public Law 94-73, dated August 6, 1975, is titled "To amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend certain provisions for an additional seven years, to make permanent the ban against certain prerequisites to voting, and for other purposes." It also provides that no voting qualification may be imposed "to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote because he is a member of a language minority group."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1971
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26th Amendment ratified: voting age of 18
The National Archives lists the 26th Amendment as passed by Congress on March 23, 1971, and ratified on July 1, 1971. It reads: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1970
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Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970 become law
Public Law 91-285, dated June 22, 1970, is titled "To extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the discriminatory use of tests, and for other purposes." It may be cited as the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1965
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Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed into law
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965. The National Archives says the act outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
How this timeline is built
Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.
When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · Back to the 2026 voting center.