A bill sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Kagan and Del. Linda Foley to introduce special elections to fill mid-term vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly is set to be reintroduced in Annapolis ahead of the 2025 legislative session. The bill, which would give voters the power to fill vacancies instead of party committees, has faced resistance in previous sessions but could see success after Del. Jheanelle Wilkins indicated support for moving forward with the legislation.
The proposed bill would require vacancies occurring in the first year following off-year elections to be subject to a special election, preempting appointed legislators from serving most of a four-year term without facing voters. This change aims to increase transparency and prevent incumbents from having an advantage due to fundraising restrictions during legislative sessions. Another bill seeks to ensure transparency in the appointment process by barring central committee members from voting for themselves.
While the special elections bill has gained momentum, the outcome of the 2025 legislative session remains uncertain as a multitude of election-related bills are expected to be introduced. The focus will also be on the safety of election officials following threats made towards local boards of election after the recent general election. Overall, the push for special elections in Maryland reflects a growing desire for more democratic processes in filling legislative vacancies.
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