The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) violated federal law, the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), and unlawfully suppressed efforts to research anomalies in the state’s voter records.

Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE) sued the Board of Elections in Jan. 2024 on behalf of Kate Sullivan and David Morsberger.

According to the Maryland Republican Party, Sullivan and Morsberger had been researching whether the state was removing non-residents, the deceased, and duplicate registrations from the voter rolls.

After they voiced their concerns to the state board, the board issued a new regulation to stop the duo from conducting investigations.

The MD GOP says the board even assessed a criminal penalty for federally protected activities, such as speaking with fellow voters.

Finally, the state board also blocked access to key information, such as the access and use of state records on voter history.

However, the National Voter Registration Act requires that states make voter history information available to the public.

As a result of the lawsuit, the U.S. District Court of Maryland ruled in RITE’s favor, saying that the Board of Elections had violated federal law and engaged it unlawful efforts to suppress the investigation.

The court endorsed the National Voter Registration Act that requires states to make the history information available.

MDGOP National Committeewoman Nicolee Ambrose said in a news release, “The State Board of Elections has been failing to properly maintain voter rolls and safeguard the integrity of mail-in ballots in Maryland. When the SBE then sought to criminally punish activists who asked basic questions, it further brought into question the Board’s commitment to transparent and fair elections. RITE’s unequivocal federal court victory should inspire the SBE to adhere to the National Voter Registration Act in every aspect.”

Have a news tip? Contact Cale Ahearn at cahearn@sbgtv.com.