MD HB1289

Establishes a Task Force on the Implementation of Approval Voting and Ranked-Choice Voting with 11 members including legislators, the State Administrator of Elections, county and municipal representatives, and Governor-appointed experts in elections, political science, and voting rights

Task Force must review how approval voting and ranked-choice voting are used in other states, evaluate administrative and fiscal impacts on election boards, and examine effects on voter participation and election outcomes

Must analyze constitutional and legal considerations, identify required statutory or regulatory changes, and consider whether pilot programs or local option authority would be appropriate

Report with findings and recommendations due to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2027

Takes effect October 1, 2026 and automatically sunsets on June 30, 2028; members serve without compensation but receive expense reimbursement