Last week, President Trump issued an unconstitutional executive order attempting to take over elections across the country. Despite this blatant attack on our freedom to vote, our state representatives have not passed any legislation to further protect voters’ rights. We know legislators have a lot on their plates this session but defending our freedom to vote — the foundation of our democracy —must be a top priority.  

Here are five reasons Maryland state legislators must pass the Maryland Voting Rights Act (MDVRA) by April 7. 

The Maryland Voting Rights Act will help safeguard voters from federal attacks on their voting rights.  

In 2025, we’ve seen a renewed effort to strip Americans of their freedom to vote. President Trump’s recent executive order attempts to put the White House in charge of Maryland elections by dictating how ballots can be counted and how to verify eligible voters.  

The executive order would require voters show their birth certificate or passport to vote, restrict vote-by-mail, expose sensitive voter data information to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and allow federal law enforcement to meddle in state elections. Furthermore, it would punish states that refuse to comply by taking away their federal elections funding, thereby jeopardizing our local election offices’ ability to run secure and fair elections. 

The U.S. House of Representatives will also vote on the SAVE Act soon. This legislation would make it harder for American citizens – including married women, rural voters, and veterans – to cast their ballots. 

If our state legislators don’t act now, they’ll leave our voting rights in the very hands of a Congress and presidential administration intent on taking them away. 

The Maryland Voting Rights Act will empower voters in historically disenfranchised communities.  

Despite its progressive reputation, Maryland’s insufficient voting rights laws have historically prevented Black and Brown voters from having equal representation in our political process.  

Examples like the Baltimore County Council passing racially gerrymandered maps in 2021 or Fredericksburg’s racially discriminatory electoral system preventing any elected officials of color until 2023 demonstrate Maryland still needs stronger protections for voters of color. 

The MDVRA would empower voters by prohibiting racial vote dilution, which occurs when electoral practices weaken the voting strength of voters of color. It would also require pre-clearance, so any important voting changes, such as new redistricting plans or changes in requirements to vote, made in places with a high-risk for discrimination must be pre-approved before going into effect. 

The Maryland Voting Rights Act will improve language accessibility at the polls. 

Maryland is the most diverse state on the east coast, and one in five Marylanders speaks a language other than English at home.  

To keep up with our state’s growing diversity, we must ensure our elections are accessible to every eligible voter, no matter which language they speak. The MDVRA will improve language accessibility by requiring all localities with a population of 2% or more in a language minority to provide voting materials in that language. 

The Maryland Voting Rights Act will protect voters from intimidation and misinformation.  

No voter should ever experience fear, intimidation, or misinformation when casting a ballot. Yet in 2024, there were several high-profile incidents of intimidation against election workers and voters alike. The MDVRA would provide Marylanders with a right to sue to challenge voter intimidation, deception, or obstruction.  

The Maryland Voting Rights Act will establish Maryland as a national leader in the fight to protect voting rights. 

Maryland has made great strides in recent years to build a more accessible and inclusive democracy. While there is still much work to be done, passing the MDVRA would cement Maryland as a national voting rights leader. Maryland would be just the ninth state to pass a state voting rights act.  

Beyond these five reasons, 80% of Maryland voters believe passing the MDVRA should be a top priority for state legislators this session. There’s no time to waste — let’s honor the will of the people and pass the Maryland Voting Rights Act immediately.