STATE SEEKS TO KEEP VOTING DATA PRIVATE AS DOJ PUSHES FOR DOCUMENTS: State election officials are awaiting a decision by a federal judge that could determine — at least initially — whether voter records containing personal and identifying information will have to be turned over to the U.S. Department of Justice. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher said after about a 90-minute hearing on the issue in Baltimore Wednesday that a written decision would be forthcoming, but she did not provide a timeline. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
SENATE GOP SEEKS HEARING ON MAIL-IN BALLOT ERROR: Maryland Senate Republicans are calling for a legislative hearing on the state’s mail-in ballot error, arguing that voter confusion persists in the weeks ahead of the June 23 primary election. The letter, sent Wednesday to Senate President Bill Ferguson and Sen. Brian Feldman, chair of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee, requests an oversight hearing on the Maryland State Board of Elections’ handling of the ballot-printing error and its aftermath. The caucus asked legislative leaders to convene a hearing before the primary election or, if that is not possible, before the election results are certified. Mennatalla Ibrahim/The Baltimore Sun.
EARLY PRIMARY VOTING BEGINS TODAY: Early voting across Maryland begins today, and the director of the Cecil County Board of Elections is expecting it to be as popular as it had been in previous voting cycles. “There were no major issues last time, but we did have record turnout — especially at the Elkton location,” Gary Holmes said via email. Cecil County currently has more than 74,400 registered voters, with almost half of those registered as Republican. There are more voters registered as unaffiliated than as Democrats. Traditional voting will take place June 23. Jane Bellmyer/The Cecil Whig.
- Maryland voters will choose nominees for governor, eight U.S. House seats, all 188 members of the General Assembly and local offices like county executive and council, state’s attorney and register of wills. About 1 in 6 ballots cast during the 2022 primary came during early voting. Here’s the essentials to early voting. John O’Connor/The Baltimore Banner.
MOORE’s MILITARY SERVICE ISN’T IN DOUBT; HIS STORYTELLING IS: For months, Gov. Wes Moore, widely considered a 2028 presidential hopeful, has been the subject of what he has described as an effort to undermine his integrity by conservative media outlets, particularly those owned by David Smith, the executive chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group and owner of The Baltimore Sun. The governor and his staff have dismissed those stories as hackery. However, Moore and his wife, Dawn, say they have grown increasingly concerned about the possibility of misinformation taking root. His military service has been a defining aspect of his image as he’s pursued public office and built a national media profile, and it’s been a point of personal pride. Lee O. Sanderlin/The Baltimore Banner.
COMMUNITY TALKS BEGIN IN LATEST EFFORT TO REVITALIZE STATE CENTER: Community members expressed cautious optimism Wednesday over the newest effort to revitalize the aging State Center Complex in Baltimore, a decades-old development challenge that has been a point of “frustration” and “opportunity” for nearby communities. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
McCLAIN DELANEY & TRONE: ON THE AIRWAVES, NOT IN THE FORUMS: U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney and Democratic challenger David Trone are filling the airwaves with attack ads in their expensive congressional primary race, but have skipped a series of candidate forums across the district that organizers say give voters opportunities to hear directly from candidates. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
BA CO STATES ATTY RACE HIGHLIGHTS OFFICE’s LIMITED RESOURCES: As Baltimore County voters prepare to choose their next state’s attorney, the heated Democratic primary race has raised questions about whether the county has kept up with neighboring communities when it comes to prosecutorial practices. Incumbent State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger, seeking a sixth term, says his office remains at the forefront of prosecution efforts despite limited resources. But challengers Sarah David and Lauren Lipscomb say the office has fallen behind other jurisdictions in areas ranging from data collection and public transparency to victim services. Maggie Trovato/The Baltimore Sun.
B’MORE COUNCILMAN SAYS HE RETURNED BGE DONATIONS: Baltimore Councilman Mark Conway said he did not initially distinguish between corporate and other campaign contributions when he accepted donations from BGE during his first term, an explanation that has drawn criticism as he campaigns against corporate influence in politics. Conway returned $1,000 from BGE after concluding the utility’s political influence was harmful to consumers, despite having accepted the donations while publicly opposing corporate campaign contributions. Tinashe Chingarande/The Baltimore Sun.
OP-ED: BRINGING SKILL, EXPERIENCE TO CARROLL STATE’S ATTY JOB: I am running for state’s attorney because I believe Carroll County deserves stronger leadership, greater accountability and a higher level of excellence in its prosecutor’s office. I have lived in Hampstead for many years and have devoted my time and resources to my church, local charities and our community. Throughout my career, I have been guided by the principle that success brings with it a responsibility to serve. After decades in the courtroom and thousands of clients represented, I believe the time has come to use my experience and skills to serve the people of Carroll County. George Psoras/The Carroll County Times.
MARYLAND’s LAST COAL POWER PLANT MAY RUN THROUGH MID 2031: Maryland’s only remaining coal-fired power plant is likely to keep operating through mid-2031 — six years after it was set to close — although the plan technically still requires approval from federal regulators. The owner of the Brandon Shores coal plant south of Baltimore originally planned to close it in 2025. But officials threw up a red flag, and warned that the plant’s retirement would endanger the regional electricity grid. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
AGORA FOUNDER DEFENDS BUSINESSES AGAINST CITY CLAIMS: Bill Bonner is not happy. The Agora founder expected praise from the city of Baltimore after decades of investment in Mount Vernon. Instead, he got a lawsuit. Bonner’s flagship publishing company, Agora, and its many affiliates, are under new legal scrutiny after the city’s Law Department filed a consumer protection lawsuit against them in Baltimore City Circuit Court this week. Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Banner.
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