ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland’s top election official, Jared DeMarinis, said Tuesday that the state is reviewing President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aimed at tightening election rules nationwide. Signed on March 25, 2025, the “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” order seeks to enforce stricter voting regulations, a move that has sparked discussion among state election administrators.
DeMarinis, the Maryland State Board of Elections Administrator, emphasized that the state remains committed to ensuring safe, secure, and transparent elections. “We strive to work with our federal partners in making our elections safe, secure, transparent and trusted,” he said in a statement. “The 2024 Elections and prior ones were just that.” Maryland’s election processes, he added, are designed to be “Verified, Open, Trusted and Empowering” through collaboration between local and state election boards.
The executive order, issued from the White House, mandates several changes to federal election practices. It requires documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, aims to enforce a uniform Election Day deadline for ballot receipt, and directs federal agencies to prioritize enforcement of laws barring non-citizens from voting. Trump’s order cites examples from countries like India and Brazil, which use biometric voter identification, and Germany and Canada, which rely on public paper ballot counts, to argue that U.S. election protections lag behind other nations.
DeMarinis expressed concern that the order overlooks key threats to election integrity, particularly misinformation from foreign sources. “I am disheartened that the Executive Order did not mention mis/dis or malinformation especially from foreign influences,” he said. He noted that technology has accelerated the spread of false information, which can undermine voter participation and confidence in results. To counter this, he stressed the importance of “social media community notes from trusted sources” like the Maryland State Board of Elections.
The order also addresses voter harassment and intimidation, issues DeMarinis underscored as critical to protect. “Voting is a protected right that was fought for during the course of our country’s history,” he said. “Harassment and intimidation not only occurs during times of voting but can take place after the election under different guises.” Maryland election officials, he added, are dedicated to safeguarding voters from such interference.
Another focus of the review is the order’s potential impact on military and overseas voters, as well as those using mail-in ballots. The Trump administration’s policy insists that ballots must be received by Election Day to comply with federal law, citing 2 U.S.C. 7 and 3 U.S.C. 1. However, DeMarinis defended Maryland’s current practice: “Mail-in ballots cast and postmarked before or on Election Day are legal ballots that must be counted. Those voters’ voices must be heard.” He called claims that voting methods invalidate ballots “misinformation” that needs correction.
Nationally, the executive order has drawn attention for its push to overhaul voter registration and voting systems. It requires the Election Assistance Commission to update its national mail voter registration form within 30 days to include proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or REAL ID-compliant document. It also tasks the Department of Homeland Security with aiding states in verifying voter citizenship and directs the Attorney General to crack down on election crimes.
Experts note that election administration varies widely across the U.S., with states like Maryland relying on a mix of in-person, mail-in, and early voting options. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “Voting Outside the Polling Place”, 34 states, including Maryland, offered no-excuse absentee voting as of 2024, a system the order could challenge if strictly enforced.
DeMarinis assured Marylanders that the state will evaluate the order in line with its own laws and regulations. While the federal directive aims to standardize election practices, states retain significant authority over their electoral processes under the U.S. Constitution. Maryland’s election officials, he said, will continue to prioritize voter access and confidence as they adapt to any new requirements.
The executive order also rescinds actions tied to a 2021 Biden administration directive, Executive Order 14019, which promoted voting access. Trump’s policy shift reflects his administration’s broader goal of addressing perceived vulnerabilities in election integrity, though it has raised questions about implementation timelines and state compliance.
As Maryland reviews the order, DeMarinis urged residents to trust the state’s election system. “Marylanders should feel confident” in its integrity, he said, signaling a cautious but cooperative approach to the federal changes ahead.
