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The Politics Hour: MD redistricting, VA primaries, and one year since Trump’s MPD takeo
August 6, 2026 WAMU 88.5 The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi All eyes are now on November’s midterm elections, after this week’s Virginia primaries turned out to be a “big snoozer.” Could the Commonwealth be the difference in which party …
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Ferguson: Special elections not on the agenda for brief session on redistricting
August 3, 2026 Bethesda Magazine By Ceoli Jacoby Maryland General Assembly also won't consider new maps, Senate president says A proposal to require special elections for vacant seats in the Maryland General Assembly won’t be on the agenda during the legislature’s special …
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Lawmakers convene for what leaders hope is quick work on a redistricting bil
August 3, 2026 Maryland Matters By William J. Ford and Christine Condon Legislation will not actually redraw congressional boundaries, but will ask voters to make it easier to do so Maryland lawmakers are expected to come out of the special …
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Kagan says proposed ballot question text may violate state law she sponsored
July 31, 2026 Bethesda Today By Ceoli Jacoby Montgomery County Question A not written in ‘plain language,’ District 17 senator argues Dist. 17 Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-Rockville) is raising concerns about the suggested text of a proposed Montgomery County ballot …
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Board approves $109 million voting machine contract despite concerns
July 23, 2026 Maryland Matters By Bryan P. Sears Voting advocates say proposed system is not yet certified for 2030; elections officials disagree, say a new system is badly needed The Board of Public Works approved a multimillion-dollar contract Wednesday …
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House, Senate leaders draw hard line on special session topics
July 20, 2026 Maryland Matters by Bryan P. Sears Bills not pertaining to redistricting will be prohibited lawmakers are told, freezing out GOP efforts to push affordability bills The leaders of the House of Delegates and the Senate are setting …
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Amar Mukunda ousted the Senate majority leader. Now he wants to reform Annapolis.
July 13, 2026 Baltimore Banner by Jack Hogan His victory in Montgomery County’s District 39 was one of the primary’s biggest surprises Amar Mukunda said he tapped into a “deep well of dissatisfaction” during his campaign against one of Maryland’s …
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Maryland delays approval of new $109M voting system after rise of transparency concerns
July 2, 2026 WYPR By Sarah Petrowich The Maryland Board of Public Works has delayed approving a $109 million voting system overhaul after advocates and state lawmakers brought up concerns around the contract’s transparency and price tag. The State Board …
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#MACoCon Can’t-Miss: Elections in Uncertain Times
June 30, 2026 Conduit Street Kevin Kinnally At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, election experts will examine how court decisions, cybersecurity threats, and changing federal policies continue to reshape election administration. Counties play a central role in Maryland’s election system, …
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Supreme Court rules states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejecting Trump-led challenge
June 29, 2026 The Baltimore Banner by Mark Sherman, Associated Press and Pamela Wood WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that states can count ballots that arrive after Election Day, a practice President Donald Trump has persistently targeted. The decision rejected a Republican-led …
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Democratic states scramble to prevent potential Trump administration interference in their elections
June 20, 2026 CNN By Fredreka Schouten Democratic-led states are racing to safeguard November’s midterm elections against potential interference from the Trump administration and its allies, passing new laws that restrict the presence of law enforcement at polling places or …
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Kagan’s Recommendation Mailer
June 20, 2026 Montgomery Perspective By Adam Pagnucco Last week, I wrote about a series of mailers containing sample ballots on behalf of “Democratic teams” that actually reflected selections made by the county’s state senators. That resulted in a bit of pushback …
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House sets target dates for special session
June 19, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Bryan P. Sears Members of the House of Delegates are being asked to consider two windows for a special session that could consider two possible amendments to the Maryland Constitution. House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, …
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Political notes: An AI adviser, a new hand on racing panel reins, lawmakers talk shop
June 10, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Christine Condon and William J. Ford Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) newest senior adviser will aim to improve Maryland’s use of AI technology. Michael Boyce, who started as Moore’s senior adviser for responsible artificial intelligence …
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State Roundup: Elections board issues guide to address mail-in ballot problem; Farmers seek federal aid after devastating freeze; 22,000 sign up for special butterfly ID
June 10 2026 Maryland Reporter by Cynthia Prairie ELECTIONS BOARD ISSUES GUIDELINE TO ADDRESS MAIL-IN BALLOT ERROR: Maryland’s five-member state election board unanimously approved a set of public guidelines Tuesday laying out how thousands of mail-in ballots will be tabulated for …
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Here’s what Gov. Wes Moore signed into law during last bill ceremony of 2026
6/9/26 The Diamondback by Clare Roth Gov. Wes Moore signed about 275 state bills leftover from this spring’s legislative session late last month, addressing topics including artificial intelligence, youth civic engagement, housing and healthcare. In a public statement earlier this …
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‘Crucial’: New Maryland law lets public school students earn a civic excellence seal on their diploma
June 2, 2026 WMAR By: Taylor Epps ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland public school students will soon have a new opportunity to show their achievements after Governor Wes Moore signed the Maryland Civic Excellence Program bill. The program allows public school …
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Election Conversations: Sen. Cheryl Kagan, Maryland
May 27, 2026 NCSL By Elections and Redistricting Staff Kagan, a nearly 20-year veteran of the General Assembly, is NCSL’s appointee to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Board of Advisors. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Cheryl Kagan decided that serving …
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Interview: First-in-nation 311 statewide plan signed into law to help 911 centers
May 27, 2026 Montgomery Community Media Maryam Shahzad People want to know that when there is an emergency, 911 will be there to answer the call. “My passion for 911 began when my friend, Carl Henn, died in a freak thunderstorm and …
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‘The Pulse’ on county budget cuts, Maryland’s mail-in ballot blunder & MCPS layoffs
May 22, 2026 Montgomery Community Media Markette Sheppard In this week’s edition of The Pulse, get the latest update on the Maryland State Board of Election’s mail-in ballot error that affected more than a half million voters, including many Montgomery County residents. Then, …
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Slate of Maryland election reform bills set to go into law before November midterms
May 15, 2026 WYPR By Sarah Petrowich The Maryland General Assembly passed an array of election reforms this year to try and curb election interference and increase voter access ahead of the General Election this November. State Sen. Cheryl Kagan …
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Maryland to be the first with a statewide 311 number
May 12, 2026 WTOP News by Kate Ryan Among the bills signed into law on Tuesday, one allows anyone in Maryland to call 311 to get information on government services in their area. Maryland State Sen. Cheryl Kagan said the …
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Friedson Recognized with “Visionary Award” by Young Artists of America on Strathmore Stage
May 11, 2026 Montgomery County Council Presentation followed YAA’s “Prince of Egypt” performance, alongside Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award winner, Stephen Schwartz Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson was honored by Young Artists of America (YAA) on Saturday, May 2 with the organization’s Visionary Award in recognition …
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Moore issues scores of endorsements, but some incumbent Democrats miss the cut
May 8, 2026 Maryland Matters by Bryan P. Sears and William J. Ford Ferguson tops the list of names missing from list after months-long redistricting dispute with governor Scores of Democratic candidates were endorsed Thursday by Gov. Wes Moore (D), …
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Senate President Bill Ferguson did not make Gov. Moore’s latest campaign endorsement list
May 8, 2026 WYPR by Sarah Petrowich Gov. Wes Moore released his latest list of campaign endorsements on Thursday and one notable name not on the list is Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City). Ferguson has represented Southern Baltimore for 15 years …
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Moore: Closed primary election system ‘has run its course’
April 30, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Bryan P. Sears Despite comments on HBO, spokesperson insists governor is not ‘opining’ on state elections that are the subject of a lawsuit Closed political primaries like Maryland’s disenfranchise voters and should be “reevaluated,” …
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How the General Assembly’s redistricting fight derailed a referendum on special elections
April 30, 2026 Bethesda Today By Ceoli Jacoby 2026 legislative session marked MoCo legislators' third failed attempt to change process for filling vacancies Reflecting on the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session at a meeting of the District 18 breakfast club at Silver Spring’s …
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AI-powered statewide 311 approved
April 22, 2026 Montgomery Community Media Maryam Shahzad Maryland will use Artificial Intelligence to establish the nation’s first statewide 311 through the bipartisan bill led by State Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-District 17). The bill was approved by the Maryland legislature during the General Assembly session …
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The Politics Hour: The D.C. Council weighs in on the budget and the Maryland General Assembly wraps up
April 17, 2026 The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi LISTEN The Maryland General Assembly wrapped its session this week, but not before a rowdy last few minutes. Lawmakers are touting major accomplishments such as a balanced budget, a slew of anti-ICE bills, …
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Kagan testifies on statewide 311 bill
April 7, 2026 Montgomery Community Media by Maryam Shahzad State Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-District 17) testified Tuesday on her bipartisan bill to create the nation’s first statewide 311 system powered by artificial intelligence to lighten the load on 911 centers. A Maryland House Committee …
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Officials worry as they weigh impact of Supreme Court’s conversion therapy ruling
April 1, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Danielle J. Brown If Tuesday ruling undermines Maryland’s ban, LGBTQ+ advocates worry there won’t be time in session for corrective action State officials are trying to determine how Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling overturning a …
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Md. lawmakers reaffirm legislative priorities
March 31, 2026 Washington Blade By Sam Epner Maryland’s legislative caucuses outlined their legislative priorities heading into the final weeks of the 2026 General Assembly during a joint press conference on March 24. The press conference was titled “We are …
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After missing most of the session, Benson, Jones return to praise, affection, flowers
March 31, 2026 Maryland Matters by William J. Ford Jones return for the rest of the session remains unclear, but Benson said she plans to return to the job Two of the state’s most respected legislators, who have been absent …
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Democrats Who Sabotage Democracy
March 30, 2026 Montgomery Perspective By Adam Pagnucco. Few issues animate Democratic and progressive activists more than voting rights. And more than at any point since the 1960s, voting rights are under attack. President Donald Trump and his right-wing allies …
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A dubious award, a redistricting debate, a (sort of) Parrott return, in political notes
March 28, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Bryan P. Sears, William J. Ford and Christine Condon If you watched the House of Delegates first floor session of the week, youmight have been delighted to hear that a Maryland resident by the …
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‘Tactical’: Analysts, lawmakers skeptical of redistricting in elections bill
March 26, 2026 Baltimore Sun By Mennatalla Ibrahim Addition makes the bill’s future uncertain in Senate The Maryland House of Delegates on Thursday rejected a Republican-led effort to remove redistricting language from an elections bill, following a sharp partisan debate that raised …
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Senate leader calls latest redistricting effort from House a nonstarter
March 26, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Bryan P. Sears House Democrats say they’ve ‘thrown in the towel’ on new maps, but vow to fight for new language on redistricting rules Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said House amendments effectively …
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Maryland House tries to revive redistricting plan B
March 25, 2026 The Banner by Pamela Wood and Madeleine O'Neill Some Maryland Democrats are making a late push to revive a backup plan for redrawing the state’s congressional districts in hopes of giving Democrats a chance to sweep all …
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House committee tacks redistricting language onto Senate elections bill
March 25, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Bryan P. Sears and Steve Crane Amendment likely spells doom for proposal that would have filled legislative vacancies by election rather than appointment A House committee, without debate and without dissent, added redistricting language …
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Ethics, lead shot, housing and gender identity: Lawmakers plow through bills on crossover day
March 24, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Danielle J. Brown, William J. Ford and Christine Condon After multiple floor sessions in the House and Senate Monday, potentials winners and losers in the remaining weeks start to come into view Sen. Cheryl …
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A question of church and state dominates Senate debate on charitable organizations bill
March 21, 2026 Maryland Matters By: Danielle J. Brown Debate delays action on SB 4 as both House and Senate rush to finish work on their bills before ‘crossover’ day Sen. Ron Watson (D-Prince George’s) listens Friday as Sen. Cheryl …
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Maryland Eyes First Statewide AI 311 System
March 17, 2026 The Southern Maryland Chronicle by David M. Higgins II Senate Bill 114 passes Senate unanimously March 13 2026 heads to House for statewide 311 rollout using AI to handle nonemergency inquiries across Maryland including St. Mary’s County. …
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Bill bans those convicted in the Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol from serving on Maryland boards
March 17, 2026 Maryland Matters by William J. Ford Former U.S. Capitol police officers Harry Dunn and Aquilino Gonell, who defended the Capitol that day, show up to support bill Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-Montgomery), center, testifies to the Senate Education, …
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Give A Hoot Comedy Club Surpasses $100,000 Raised for Local Nonprofits
March 15, 2026 The MoCoShow Give A Hoot Comedy Club in Gaithersburg has surpassed a major milestone, raising more than $100,000 for nonprofit organizations since opening its doors in 2023. The club, located at 16143 Shady Grove Rd., opened on January 20, …
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As Maryland slips on climate goals, Moore’s budget raids clean energy fund for $725M
March 13, 2026 Baltimore Banner By Adam Willis In these lean times for Maryland government, one stack of cash has become a tempting reserve for Democratic leaders: the state’s only fund dedicated to clean energy. Maryland leaders entered this legislative …
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The 411 on 311 on 3/11
March 12, 2026 Maryland Matters By William J. Ford 3-1-1 on 3-11 When she designated Wednesday as 3-1-1 Day, Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-Montgomery) was not merely referencing the date, March 11. She was referencing the fact that her bill to create …
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LGBTQ+ Caucus prioritizes inclusive civic curriculum, equity care
March 9, 2026 The Avenue News by Andrea Grabenstein ANNAPOLIS — Maryland’s Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus unveiled what members called their most ambitious agenda yet March 5, outlining a slate of bills aimed at expanding access to health care, strengthening protections …
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How does MCPS anticipate student population growth?
March 9, 2026 Bethesda Today By Ashlyn Campbell District pushes back on criticism claiming flawed data used in boundary studies Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is pushing back against community members’ criticism that it relied on flawed enrollment and student population growth projections in proposing to …
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LGBTQ+ Caucus targets legislative priorities for the rest of the 2026 session
March 5, 2026 Maryland Matters By William J. Ford Two priorities return from last year – designation of ‘X’ on birth certificates, inclusive civics education With slightly more than a month left in the 2026 General Assembly session, the Maryland …
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Third annual Scrabble tournament draws players nationwide
March 4, 2026 Rappahannok News Maryland Sen. Cheryl Kagan (right) and her opponent, Susan Bertoni, mark down scores on their score sheets on Sunday at last weekend’s Scrabble Tournament at the Scrabble Schoolhouse near Castleton. Scrabble players from across the …
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