Bill > HB41

This bill modifies Maryland's election law regarding petitions for forming a new political party by adjusting the time periods when such petitions can be filed and preventing the resubmission of signatures from previously unsuccessful petitions. Specifically, the bill changes the filing restrictions for petitions in presidential and gubernatorial election years, prohibiting petition filing during certain periods around primary and general elections. For instance, in presidential and gubernatorial election years, petitions cannot be filed after the first Monday in July until registration reopens after the general election. The bill also introduces a new provision that prevents signatures from a petition that has been officially determined to not meet legal requirements from being resubmitted with a subsequent petition. This change aims to prevent repeated attempts to file petitions with the same signatures that have already been deemed insufficient. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and was approved by the Governor on May 6, 2025, providing clarity and additional constraints on the process of forming new political parties in Maryland.

Budget and Finance, Education

Ways and Means (H)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0041?ys=2025RS