MD HB983

Establishes a Language Assistance Program requiring local boards of elections to provide language assistance to voters when more than 2% of the county's citizen voting age population (or more than 4,000 individuals) share a language other than English and have limited English proficiency

Requires the State Board of Elections to determine by February 1 of each election year which counties must participate and which languages are designated, publishing and updating this list on its website at least every 2 years

Mandates participating local boards to provide translated voting materials (voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications, specimen ballots), signage at early voting centers and polling places, and access to translators for voters needing language assistance

Requires the State to provide licensed translation software services to local boards, while counties pay for hardware and other program expenses; local boards must also make reasonable efforts to recruit bilingual election judges

Takes effect October 1, 2025, with the State Board required to publish initial county and language designations by January 1, 2026