Maryland Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis sent a letter to federal officials on July 14, 2026, affirming the state’s adherence to both federal and state election laws in maintaining voter rolls. The letter served as a formal response to recent demands from the U.S. Department of Justice concerning Maryland’s compliance with federal election statutes.

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division had sent letters one week earlier to election officials in Maryland and other states, requesting detailed descriptions of how each state maintains voter rolls and prevents ineligible individuals from voting. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the division, raised specific concerns that noncitizens might be permitted to vote in Maryland. Dhillon’s letter gave DeMarinis five days to respond and included threats of federal criminal conspiracy charges and civil rights violations if the state failed to comply.

In his response, DeMarinis emphasized the legal and procedural integrity of Maryland’s election system. “As the State Administrator and staff of the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE), we serve as the definitive and trusted source for all electoral information within the State,” he wrote. He added that Maryland’s voter roll maintenance practices strictly follow statutory requirements and are designed to both protect voter access and ensure accuracy. “The State Board works diligently to ensure that every eligible Marylander can register to vote in accordance with federal and State laws,” DeMarinis stated, underscoring that election officials “continue that diligent work to maintain up to date voter rolls.”

DeMarinis also addressed broader public confusion about voter registration processes, particularly misinformation circulating online. “Narratives surrounding voter registration, especially those circulating on various social media platforms, frequently misconstrue the law or certain rights,” he noted. He warned that this often leads to “the proliferation of misinformation — inaccurate information spread unintentionally — and disinformation — false information spread with the intent to deceive.” According to DeMarinis, “The integrity of our elections hinges on our ability to counteract this trend.”

He stressed the complexity of properly maintaining voter rolls, explaining that the process of removing voters who have moved, died, or are otherwise ineligible must carefully balance administrative accuracy with the protection of voting rights. “Improper cancellation leads to disenfranchisement of an eligible voter,” he wrote. “That is why it is a detailed process. It must be certain.” DeMarinis added that “Maryland’s process errs on the side of removing any doubt in the cancellation before potentially disenfranchising a voter.”

DeMarinis also grounded his defense in Maryland’s constitutional tradition, quoting the state’s Declaration of Rights: “the right of the People to participate in the Legislature is the best security of liberty and the foundation of all free Government; … and every citizen having the qualifications prescribed by the Constitution, ought to have the right of suffrage.” He described voting as “a sacred right that has been expanded through sacrifices of many before us” and called his work in elections “a privilege and honor” that empowers individuals to make their voices heard.

Earlier this year, Maryland had already resisted similar Department of Justice demands for highly detailed voter records. A U.S. District Court judge in Maryland dismissed the Department’s lawsuit seeking those records on June 16, 2026. The Department has since appealed the dismissal to the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, though no hearing has been scheduled in that appeal. Before sending his July 14 letter, DeMarinis had characterized the Department’s pressure tactics as “a nice love letter” and a “draconian step,” signaling his administration’s firm stance against what it views as federal overreach.

The exchange between Maryland election officials and the Department of Justice reflects ongoing national tensions over federal oversight of state-run elections. While the Department of Justice asserts its authority to enforce federal voting laws, states like Maryland emphasize their longstanding compliance and autonomy in administering elections under both state and federal frameworks. The legal dispute over voter records—now pending appeal—and the latest letter campaign highlight the high stakes involved in voter access, data privacy, and electoral integrity.

Maryland, a state in the United States of America, maintains that its voter roll procedures already meet all legal requirements and that additional federal demands could undermine public trust or lead to voter suppression. DeMarinis’s detailed response aims to clarify Maryland’s legal position while reaffirming its commitment to both accuracy and inclusivity in elections.