Maryland attorney general orders voter group to stop intimidating messages

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today sent a cease and desist letter to the Voter Information Center/Center for Election Participation in Washington, DC. be publicly exposed.

The dispute arose after complaints were made to the State Election Commission about “voting lists” sent by the CVI/VPC. These letters informed voters that their voting records would be compared with those of their neighbors in order to facilitate voter turnout. While the letters claim to protect privacy by redacting specific details, they explicitly state that follow-up will determine whether recipients have voted, leading to widespread claims of intimidation.

Maryland law allows access to voter registration lists and turnout history, but prohibits influencing voter decisions through intimidation or threats. The Office of the Attorney General has received numerous reports from recipients who feel threatened by these emails, which may constitute violations of state and federal laws.

As part of the cease and desist order, the Attorney General is pushing for an enforceable agreement to ensure that voter turnout records will not be released after the election and no further intimidating letters will be sent to protect Maryland voters from coercion.

For more information on voter intimidation and rights, residents can refer to the existing guidance from the Maryland Attorney General here.

View the official cease and desist letter here.