SB 929 establishes a temporary Workgroup on Mail-In Ballot Accessibility to study whether and how Maryland can make mail-in ballot return more accessible, especially for voters with disabilities. The workgroup is directed to examine current mail-ballot return procedures, including administrative time and costs, ballot return rates, and security concerns, and to compare Maryland’s practices with accessible alternatives used in other jurisdictions.
The bill requires the workgroup to evaluate alternatives to paper ballot return for people with disabilities, with attention to accessibility, election security, privacy, independence, discrimination concerns, and implementation costs and feasibility. It also requires consultation with the federal National Institute of Standards and Technology on cybersecurity issues and directs the workgroup to report findings and any recommended statutory changes to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2025. The act takes effect June 1, 2025 and sunsets June 30, 2026.
Impact
The bill does not immediately change election law or create a new voting method; instead, it creates a short-lived advisory body within state government to study potential statutory changes related to mail-in ballot return. Its practical impact is to place the State Board of Elections, disability advocates, cybersecurity experts, and election officials in a formal process to evaluate whether Maryland should modify its laws or procedures to allow more accessible ballot-return options for voters with disabilities. Any direct legal change would depend on future legislation recommended by the workgroup.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support, as reflected by its favorable committee report with amendments and its 35-11 third-reading passage in the Senate. The structure of the workgroup suggests a generally collaborative and policy-oriented approach, bringing together election administrators, disability advocates, cybersecurity officials, and academic expertise. The vote margin indicates meaningful support, though not unanimity, likely reflecting the balance the bill tries to strike between accessibility and election security.
Contention
The main point of contention is the tension between expanding accessible mail-ballot return options and preserving ballot security and integrity. The bill explicitly requires the workgroup to weigh cybersecurity, election security, privacy, and discrimination concerns, which indicates that any future recommendation to move away from paper return could be controversial. Another likely area of debate is whether alternative return methods can be implemented in a way that allows voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently without creating new security risks or excessive costs.