MD SB670

Police officers on duty at polling places must obey orders from local board of elections employees, in addition to election judges, and are fully protected when making arrests under such orders.

Local board employees gain authority to keep the peace and order arrests of persons who breach the peace, violate election law provisions, or interfere with election judges' work.

Local board employees may deny admission to challengers or watchers who arrive less than 30 minutes before polls open, and may require them to leave if their presence would prevent timely opening.

Local board employees may eject challengers or watchers who violate rules (such as attempting to determine how someone voted, conversing with voters, or handling election documents), and may limit the number of nonaccredited challengers present.

Local board employees may exercise these authorities independently of election judges assigned to the polling place; effective June 1, 2026.