Attorney General Gansler Sends Letter to State Board of Elections to Address Concerns about Voters and Foreclosures

BALTIMORE, MD (September 26, 2008) – Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler sent a letter to the State Board of Elections and copied the local boards of elections stating the law in regards to registered voters who may have recently foreclosed on their homes. The letter was sent in response to widespread media reports and numerous calls about efforts to challenge voters who have lost their homes to foreclosure. In Maryland, an individual is entitled to vote in the ward or election district in which he resides, and retains the right to vote in that ward or district until he establishes a residence in another ward or district.

Attorney General Gansler wants to make clear to voters that persons who lose their homes to foreclosure do not lose their right to vote. “Both the Federal and State constitutions guarantee citizens the right to vote,” states Attorney General Gansler. “The strength of our democratic system depends on ensuring that all citizens entitled to vote may do so. Public confidence in the election process cannot be maintained if voters are impeded from exercising their right to vote by intimidation, misinformation or deceit.”

Should anyone have information that individuals are challenging the right to vote of persons whose homes have been foreclosed, they should contact the Office of the Attorney General.

Click here to view the letter.