House Republicans in Maryland are set to introduce two legislative measures aimed at enhancing election security in the upcoming 2026 session. Delegate Bob Long, representing Baltimore County, plans to propose a bill requiring voters to provide a valid, government-issued photo identification at polling places.
If a voter does not possess a government ID, they may present a non-governmental photo ID along with a utility bill or bank statement as an alternative. Long underscored the necessity of maintaining public confidence in the electoral process, citing recent concerns regarding the security of the voting system.
“It is important that our citizens have confidence in their election process,” Long stated. “With the Board of Elections refusing to cooperate with questions from the Department of Justice and the news that an illegal immigrant was able to register to vote in Maryland, people are losing faith in the security of our voting system. Hopefully, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will be more receptive to this measure in the coming legislative session. Legislation like this helps restore our citizens’ faith in the most important tool of our democracy, free and fair elections.”
Support for Long’s proposal came from House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, who emphasized, “Our members offer these bills in good faith to ensure the integrity of our elections. This should not be a partisan issue.”
In addition to Long’s bill, Delegate Kevin Hornberger from Cecil County is developing the “SAVE Our Elections Act.” This legislation would require the Maryland Board of Elections to verify voter citizenship using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. Hornberger pointed to the case of former Baltimore school principal Ian Roberts, a non-citizen who registered to vote, as illustrating the vulnerabilities in the current system. Roberts faced legal action and was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while serving as superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district.
House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy reiterated the importance of preserving election integrity. “These bills are reasonable proposals that, if passed, will go a long way to restore our citizens’ faith in our voting system,” he remarked.
As Maryland prepares for the legislative session, discussions regarding election security and voter identification are poised to take center stage, reflecting broader national conversations on the integrity of electoral processes. The outcome of these proposals could significantly impact voter engagement and public trust in upcoming elections.
