Common Cause Maryland
Recent News About Common Cause Maryland
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Democracy Groups Urge Vignarajah to Return Fair Election Funds
Baltimore City mayoral candidate Thiru Vignarajah's recent endorsement of one of his opponents has sparked controversy regarding the use of public funds allocated through the city's small donor public financing program. According to the Fair Elections law, candidates who withdraw from the program are required to repay all public funds received, plus interest.Emily Scarr, the Maryland PIRG Director, emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of the Fair Elections program, stating, "While we have yet to hear a legal opinion on the matter, we hope Mr. Vignarajah...
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Maryland Lawmakers Fail to Pass Voter Registration for Returning Citizens
On April 17, 2024, the Maryland Senate faced criticism for failing to pass a bill that would have expanded automatic voter registration policies to include the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), thus guaranteeing access to voter registration and the ballot for justice-impacted residents."Maryland had an opportunity to prioritize access to voter registration for those impacted by the criminal legal system, but let politics get in the way," expressed Joanne Antoine, executive director of Common Cause Maryland.Keshia Morris Desir, justice and...
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Maryland House Fails Voters on Special Elections
Apr 16, 2024Last week, the Maryland House of Delegates faced criticism for failing to pass a bill that would have empowered voters in the state. Instead, the decision to maintain a process where political insiders hold more sway than the electorate has sparked disappointment and frustration among advocacy groups."We’re extremely disappointed that the House let voters down yet again,” expressed Joanne Antoine, executive director of Common Cause Maryland, reflecting a sentiment shared by many who had hoped for a more democratic approach to filling legislative vacancies....
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Protecting Election Officials is Now Law in Maryland
In a significant development, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland signed the Protecting Election Officials Act of 2024 into law yesterday. This legislation, which received bipartisan support in both chambers of the Assembly, introduces a new misdemeanor charge for individuals who threaten election officials or their families.Joanne Antoine, the executive director of Common Cause Maryland, expressed her support for the new law by stating, "Our election workers deserve this victory. Here in Maryland, we don’t just talk about the importance of democracy — we defend it, along with all...