Maryland SB255 protects voting rights of protected classes in county and municipal elections.

Maryland SB255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026, safeguards the voting rights of protected classes in county and municipal elections. It defines "protected class" as voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group or a class of two or more of those groups. The act prohibits election methods that impair the ability of protected class members to elect candidates of their choice. Courts can award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs to prevailing private plaintiffs. The act is severable, and its provisions are independent of each other.

Maryland SB255 protects voting rights of protected classes in county and municipal elections.

Maryland SB255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026, safeguards the voting rights of protected classes in county and municipal elections. It defines "protected class" as voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group or a class of two or more of those groups. The act prohibits election methods that impair the ability of protected class members to elect candidates of their choice. Courts can award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs to prevailing private plaintiffs. The act is severable, and its provisions are independent of each other.