Maryland bill backed by Gov. Moore seeks to protect election officials from threats

Maryland lawmakers are considering legislation to enable authorities to prosecute people who threaten to harm election officials or their immediate family members, as threats are on the rise across the country.

The Protecting Election Officials Act of 2024, which has the support of Gov. Wes Moore, would make threatening an election official a misdemeanor punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500.

“This has been a phenomenon which has occurred across the country,” said Eric Luedtke, Moore’s chief legislative officer, at a bill hearing Wednesday. “It’s a phenomenon that has targeted election workers, regardless of political affiliation, race, gender, what roles their filling.”

Ruie Marie LaVoie, who is vice president of the Maryland Association of Elections Officials and now serves as director of the Baltimore County Board of Elections, testified about her experience being threatened during the 2022 election. She testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee that the measure would help ensure the safety and security “of those at the forefront of preserving our democratic processes.”

“We are struggling with recruitment, not only hiring election judges, but filling vacancies in our offices,” she said.

The measure would prohibit someone from knowingly and willfully making a threat to harm an election official or an immediate family member of an election official, because of the election official’s role in administering the election process.

Sarah David, Maryland’s deputy state prosecutor, said the measure contains language that already has been defined in case law. For example, the word harm in the bill would include emotional distress, she said.

“This is important legislation to address the modern reality of elections, the role of social media’s impact on election judges and other personnel, and would ensure that the integrity and fairness of our elections is maintained,” David said.

Jared DeMarinis, Maryland’s elections administrator, said state elections officials are on the front lines of democracy, and they already are experiencing vitriol for doing their jobs.

Gonzales Poll: More than half of Maryland voters approve of job by Gov. Moore

Maryland voters offered their opinions on numerous topics in the latest Gonzales Poll, which included their views of how Gov. Wes Moore has done in office.

I Gonzales Poll: Part 1 results

The February Gonzales Poll of 815 registered voters was conducted between Jan. 23 and Feb. 2. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.

Gov. Wes Moore job approval:

More than half of voters in Maryland approved of the job that Moore has done since taking office.

Among voters in Maryland, 58% approve of the job Moore is doing as governor. Among voters, 27.4% strongly approve and 30.3% somewhat approve. While 28.2% disapprove, 15.2% strongly disapprove and 13.0% somewhat disapprove.

Democrats heavily supported Moore, with a 74% approval rating, while more than half of Republicans were discouraged by Moore’s term so far, with a 56.9% disapproval rating.

Democrats heavily supported Moore, with a 74% approval rating, while more than half of Republicans were discouraged by Moore’s term so far, with a 56.9% disapproval rating.

I Breakdown of Moore’s job approval, disapproval rating in Maryland:
Democrat:  74% – 15%
Republican: 27% –  57%
Independent: 52% – 26%

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore focuses on 4 pillars in 2024 State of the State address

In his second State of the State address, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore further advanced his vision to “leave no one behind” through four pillars.

Moore’s address on Wednesday focused on making the state safer, more affordable and competitive, as well as a state that serves. To do so, he said his administration will enact a state plan that prioritizes public safety, housing, child care and child poverty.

The governor declared the state of the state as strong while acknowledging unfinished work to solve big problems, as well as lessons learned in his first year in office.

“One year ago, we began our work together. We knew our state had boundless opportunities and blinding potential. But we were leaving too much on the table. One year later, we still have work to do. We learned a lot of lessons. And solving big problems can’t happen overnight. But change is happening. And today, the state of our state is strong,” Moore said.

Moore pointed to a new state plan that he said will establish “specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-bound goals” for the next three years that will be accomplished through a partnership between the executive and legislative branches.

“We need to stand united – with a clear commitment to doing the work, and with a clear understanding that the months and years ahead will be hard,” Moore said. “But if there’s one thing the last 12 months have taught us, it’s that Marylanders do hard things – and they want us to accomplish hard things in partnership.”

Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey Jr., R-District 36, delivered the Republican Response, saying Maryland Republicans are prepared to work alongside the governor to find common ground.

“Gov. Moore has put forth a bold and ambitious plan for Maryland, one that is built on the promise that no Marylander will be left behind. This is a vision we can certainly support; after all, our ultimate goal is the success and well-being of every single Marylander,” Hershey said. “However, we must underscore that achieving such a lofty goal requires much more than grand declarations. It necessitates concrete actions and collaborative efforts.”

Impact Weather: Maryland now under winter storm warning

The outlook for accumulation is 1 to 4 inches for most of Central Maryland, which is, of course, subject to change based on refined storm track. Areas of higher elevation, particularly in northern Carroll County, for example, could see even more snow.

Tuesday’s snow totals were mostly around 4 to 5 inches on the higher end, with an average of about 2 to 3 inches elsewhere.

THEN, on Saturday afternoon for the Ravens playoffs game, it’s another Impact Weather Day for temperatures in the 20s coupled with winds 15-20 mph, gusting higher. Wind chill temperatures (what it will feel like) will be around 10 degrees.

Alert Days vs. Impact Days:

An Impact Day is when weather will likely disrupt your normal daily schedule or routine.

  • An Alert Day is when there’s a threat of extreme, severe and possibly life-threatening weather.

Potential power outages:

Baltimore Gas and Electric has scheduled 100 additional contractor crews to ensure resources are available for the duration of the predicted weather. Customers are encouraged to prepare ahead of time, and to report outages if they occur.

Storm conditions could cause outages by knocking down tree limbs onto power lines and other electric delivery equipment. BGE asks all customers to report their outage in any of the following ways:

The latest outage information, including total number and general locations, is available on the BGE.com outage map.

As a reminder, fallen overhead power lines should never be approached or touched even if the lines do not appear to be live or sparking. Call BGE at 877-778-2222 to report fallen electrical lines, power outages and gas odors.

Source: WBAL