CAROLINE COUNTY Phone: (410) 479-8145 0 Fax: (410) 479-5736 BOARD OF ELECTIONS Email: electionecaroinemdore 403 S. Seventh Street, Suite 247, Denton, MD 21629 wwwaoiemderctomog Caroline County Board of Elections Meeting 403 S. 7th Street, Suite 111, Denton, MD 21629 June 20, 2025 :30 am The meeting will be held in-person and live streamed: httpsl/CarolinecountymanewswaRiL.om/events/40458 AGENDA 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Declaration of Quorum Present 3. Welcome Members & Guests 4. Approval of Minutes a. April 11, 2025 Meeting 5. Request Changes to the Agenda 6. Election Director's Report 7. Board Members' Report/Disclosure of Campaign Contributions 8. Board Attorney's Report 9. Old Business a. Open Meetings Act Complaint b. Annual MAEO/SBE Biennial Conference 10. New Business a. State Ethics Training for Board Members b. 2026 Election Calendar C. 2026 Primary Election Newsletter 11. Public Comments 12. Schedule Next Meeting 13. Closed Session a. Part of the meeting will be closed under the provision of the Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Art. 53-305(b)(1) to perform evaluation of an employee. 14. Adjournment Public Participation: Members of the public may address the Board. Pursuant to $3.2B of the Board's S bylaws, public participation at a meeting must be pre-scheduled and pre-approved by the President. To request approval to speak at a board meeting, contact Allison Murphy at 410-479- 8145 or by email lsmmurhyemantandsew no ater than 4:00 pm the day before the meeting. Caroline County Board of Elections Monthly Board Meeting Friday, April 11, 2025 9:30 a.m. In Attendance: Allison Murphy, Election Director Margaret Thompson, Member Tammy Willis, Election Program Specialist Suzanne Campos, Member Debra Brohawn, Election Program Assistant Dana Callahan, Member James Bilbrough II, President Walter Palmer, Attorney Declaration of Quorum Present Mr. Bilbrough called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and stated that there was a quorum present. Ratification of Meeting Minutes from March 14, 2025 Mrs. Thompson made a motion to ratify the meeting minutes as written; Mrs. Callahan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Additons/Corrections to the Agenda Mr. Bilbrough noted a correction. Reports a. Election Director's Report Mrs. Murphy added that she and Mrs. Brohawn attended a meeting at SBE's central warehouse to look at the ballot drop box re-design. It changes the placement of the lock for the ballot insert to the inside the box instead of the outside. b. Board Attorney's Report Mr. Walter Palmer discussed the Open Meetings Act complaint. C. Board Member's Report No report. d. Board Member Campaign Contribution Repor/Paraphernala Disclosures No report. Old Business a. Board Member Vacancy Mr. Bardsley from the Democratic Central Committee sent an email to Mrs. Murphy stating that they have a candidate that seems well qualified. New Business/Correspondence a. President Trump's Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections Executive Order State Board of Elections is monitoring. b. Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief The Attorney General with 19 other states have filed this complaint, which SBE will continue to monitor. DRAFT C. Open Meetings Act Complaint Mr. Palmer reçeived this complaint, immediately, forwarding to Mrs. Murphy. Mrs. Murphy worked with the Caroline County Public Information Officer and IT Department to gain accessibility to upload meeting agendas and minutes to the County's online Agenda Center. There is now a link to the Agenda Center on the Caroline County Board of Elections website. ttps://www.carolinemd.org/Bgendacenter Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Palmer drafted a response to the complaint. Mrs. Callahan made a motion to affirm the action taken by staff and Counsel to comply with the Open Meetings Act addressed in the response letter. Ms. Campos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Confirmation of Next Meeting The next meeting will be June 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Meetings will now be held in Room 111 at the Health & Public Services Building, 403 S. 7th Street, Denton, Maryland and will be live streamed. The live stream link will be available on the County website at tp/awwarolnendor/66l/lweetinss Adjournment Mrs. Thompson made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mrs. Callahan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Bilbrough adjourned the meeting at 11:02 a.m. Respectfully submitted. Signed: Approved: Mrs. Debra Brohawn, Mr. James Bilbrough, Election Program Assistant Board President Dated: Dated: DRAFT Election Director's Report June 20, 2025 Meetings Attended May 14, 2025 - Mrs. Murphy and Ms. Willis virtually attended the MAEO Election Judge Manual Committee meeting. May 15, 2025 - Staff virtually attended the SBE/LBE Collaboration meeting. May 20, 2025 - Staff virtually attended the MAEO meeting. May 28, 2025 - Mrs. Murphy virtually attended the MAEO In-Person Voting Committee meeting. May 28, 2025 - Mrs. Murphy and Ms. Willis virtually attended the MAEO Election Judge Manual Committee meeting. May 29, 2025 - Staff virtually attended SBE's monthly board meeting. June 4, 2025 - Mrs. Murphy and Ms. Willis virtually attended the MAEO Election Judge Manual Committee meeting. June 5, 2025 - Ms. Willis virtually attended the MAEO Mail-in Ballot Committee Meeting. June 5, 2025 - Ms. Willis virtually attended the MAEO Voter Registration Committee Meeting. June 10, 2025 - Mrs. Murphy virtually attended the MAEO In-Person Voting Committee meeting. June 10, 2025 - Mrs. Murphy and Ms. Willis virtually attended the MAEO Election Judge Manual Committee meeting. Voter Registration Voter registration totals reports from May and June 2025 are included for review. Election. Judges Election judges who worked in 2024 were a sent a Recruitment Google Form to capture their interest in working the 2026 elections. The 2026 Primary Election Newsletter was emailed to election judges on June 3, 2026. We are in the process of reviewing and updating the Election Judge Manual for the 2026 Elections. Candidate Filing As of 6/9/2025, two candidates have filed candidacy for local contests in Caroline County. Donnie Baker for Sheriff Margie S. Hannawald for Clerk of Circuit Court Stephanie B. Ramsey for Clerk of Circuit Court Peggy A. Gallagher for Clerk of Circuit Court Linda Dunn for Register of Wills The list of statewide candidates can be viewed here: https:llelections.maryland.sovelections/2026/Pimary_candidates/index.htmt E 0 I V W N R 9 6 W n 4 8 0 o 7 s - 1 * 3 u 4 2 3 4 e 3 s N s 4 5 3 E 2 WES MOORE RUNAKO KUMBULA ALLSOPP, EsQ., Governor CHAIR LYNN MARSHALL, EsQ. ARUNA MILLER JACOB ALTSHULER, EsQ. Lt. Governor STATE OF MARYLAND OPEN MEETINGS COMPLIANCE BOARD 19 Official Opinions of the Compliance Board 117 (2025) May 12, 2025 Caroline County Board of Elections The Complainant alleges that the Caroline County Board of Elections ("Board of Elections" or "Board") violated the Open Meetings Act (the "Act") by not posting meeting agendas and minutes on the Board's official website. For the following reasons, we find no violations oft the Act. Discussion A. Agendas The Complainant first alleges that the Board ofl Elections violated the Act by posting agendas on its Facebook page, rather than on the Board's official website. "[B]efore meeting in an open session, 91 the Act requires "a public body [to] make available to the public an agenda: (i) containing known items of business or topics to be discussed at the portion of the meeting that is open; and (ii) indicating whether the public body expects to close any portion of the meeting. S 3-302.1(a)(1)." As to the method of making the agenda available, a public body has considerable flexibility: The body may distribute the agenda via the news media, by posting it online or "at a convenient public location at or near the place ofthe session," "by publication in the Maryland Register (ifthe public body is a unit of State government), or "by any other reasonable method." SS 3- 302(c), 3-302.1(d). The Board of Elections did not squarely address the Complainant": S allegation that posting agendas on Facebook, rather than the Board's own website, violated the Act. The Board merely asserted that it has taken "corrective action" and now posts agendas on the I Statutory references are to the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Annotated Code. Open Meetings Compliance Board, clo Office ofthe Attomey General 200 Saint Paul Place a Baltimore. Maryland, 21202-2021 Main Office (410) 576-6560 * Main Office Toll Free (888) 743-0023 s Maryland Relay 711 19 Official Opinions of the Compliance Board 117 (2025) May 12. 2025 Page 118 websites of the Board and the Caroline County government. When asked to clarify how the Board made agendas available in 2024. before this "corrective action," a Board employee said that the Board posted agendas on Facebook and in the vestibule of the building in which the Board meets. Based on this record, we decline to find a violation of the Act. Regardless of whether posting on Facebook was reasonable, the Board also posted near its meeting site. an option expressly permitted by the Act. See $8 3-302(c)(3). 3-302.1(d). We do. however, commend the Board for updating its practice, as posting agendas on the websites of the Board and County Government will likely make it easier for the public to find out what business the Board will discuss at its meetings. B. Minutes The Complainant also alleges that the Board of Elections has violated the Act by not posting minutes online. The Act requires, "as soon as practicable after a public body meets. 1 that the body "have minutes of its session prepared," $ 3-306(b)(1). and. "[to the extent practicable," posted online, $ 3-306(e)(2). Whether posting online is practicable "is fact-dependent" and "[w]e are seldom in a position to second-guess what was practicable' for a public body's staff at a given point of time." 12 OMCB Opinions 83, 83 (2018). When we have found violations of S 3-306(e)(2) in the past. the body acknowledged a delay in posting minutes online, see, e.g.. 18 OMCB Opinions 101. 102 (2024), or we inferred that posting a particular set of minutes was practicable because the body had posted other documents online during the relevant period, see, e.g.. 15 OMCB Opinions 123. 130 (2021). The Board acknowledges that, until recently. the body did not post minutes online. But the Board asserts that it was not practicable to do so: The body did not at that time have direct access to its website or the County Government's online "Agenda Center." which has links to agendas and minutes for various County bodies. Although the Board has since acquired access to the Agenda Center, we find that. before acquiring this access. it was not practicable for the Board to post minutes online. To be sure. the Board had access to Facebook, where it posted agendas, and the body presumably could have, but did not. post minutes on Facebook. But we do not think putting minutes on the Board's Facebook page would have qualified as posting them "online, as not every Facebook posting is necessarily available to the public at large. Although Facebook members would have been able to view minutes posted to the Board's Facebook page, we cannot say' the same for other members ofthe public. Indeed, our staff recently visited the Board's Facebook page and, after scrolling through only three posts (dating back only to April 19, 2025), was prompted to log in or create a Facebook account 19 Official Opinions of the Compliunce Board 117 (2025) May 12. 2025 Page 119 to view more. We think that posting minutes "online. for purposes of the Act. means posting them on an internet site that is accessible to the public at large. not simply to a social media site that is accessible only to members. Based on the record before us. we conclude that it was not practicable for the Board of Elections to post minutes online in 2024. Thus. we find no violation with respect to this allegation. Conclusion We find no violations ofthe Act. Open Meetings Compliance Board" Runako Kumbula Allsopp, Esq. Lynn Marshall, Esq. Compliance Board member Jacob Altshuler did not participate in the preparation or issuance of this Opinion. Annual MAEO/SBE Biennial Conference No Handouts - Discussion Only 6/10/25, 1:49 PM Fwd: State Ethics Training For Board Members hsonmwply@nayenagoer State of Maryland Mail Forwarded message From: Shermaine Walker -SBE- ghermainetwalker@maryland.gov> Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 4:43 PM Subject: State Ethics Training For Board Members To: Cc: Jared DeMarinis -SBE- <Jared. DaMans@manandgep. Katherine Berry -SBE- satemahaméminamaer Board Members, At the biennial conference, we heard from many of you that more training on your role as a board member would be helpful. We are working through some internal processes in preparation for 2026. In addition, we recently learned of a training offered by the State Ethics Commission that focuses on the role that board members play and how to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or ethical dilemmas that arise leading into the 2026 election. Please plan to attend one of the virtual training sessions listed below, which will be 45 minutes to 1 hour in length. We will be tracking attendance, sO if you need an alternative date, please let SBE know. If your local board would prefer to have this training in person, we can also accommodate this request on a day that works best for your board. State Ethics Training- June 17 at 6:00PM State Ethics. Training- June 30 at 12:00PM State Ethics Training- June 30 at 3:00PM State Ethics Training- June 30 at 6:00PM State Ethics Training- July 1 at 3:00PM State Ethics Training- July 1 at 6:00PM Thank you, Shermaine T. Walker State Board of Elections Project Manager **UPDATE** in response to requests for in-person training In-person training will be given to you during the July 11, 2025, board meeting from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. during closed session. https: limail. google.commalluon5searchsale-ehFMIg,QGA0elVAWPhVILSAChMTML 1/1 10 & Carcline Connly Board of Elections Caroline County Board of Elections 2026 Gubernatorial Primary lection Mark Your Calendars- -2026 Elections We are a little over. a year away from the Gubernatorial Election cycle. The Primary Election is Tuesday, June 23, 2026 and the General Election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. State Offices on the ballot include: Governor/Lt. Governor, Comptroller, "The strength of the Attorney General, Representatives in Congress, State Senator, House of team is each individual Delegates. member, the strength Local Offices on the ballot include: County Commissioners, Sheriff, of each member is the State's Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Board of Education District 3, and team." the Democratic and Republican Central Committees, - Phil Jackson To view the current list of candidates: https:/www.e slectionsmanlandgov elections2026/Primary canddates/ndexhtm! Election Judge Assignments & Recruitment If you haven't already, please complete the 2026 Election Judge Recruitment Google Form to let us know if you are able to work as an election judge in 2026. The link was emailed on June 3, 2025. We are continually recruiting election judges. If you know of anyone who has the dedication and motivation it takes to be an election judge, please urge them to complete the election judge interest form online: https:!! Inside: www.elections.maryand.goviget involved/election. judges.htm! Our Board & Staff Election Judge Training 2025 Legislation 2026 Presidential Election Judge training classes for the Primary Election will occur in Spring Election Information 2026. Scheduled training dates and job assignments, will be sent early next Voter Services Info. year. It's not goodbye, but see ya later . On February 14, 2025, Mr. Jack Keats, retired after over 24 years of service on the Board of Elections. Mr. Keats was always willing to step in and lend a hand whether it was verifying election supplies, rushing supplies back on election night or attending public budget hearings. We knew we could count on him! On July 31, 2025, Debbie Brohawn will be leaving us after 10 years. Debbie's attention to detail and knack for organization has contributed to our success as a well-oiled election machine. Exactly what is needed since elections have become so much more complex and demanding over time. Debbie, Tammy and Allison work autonomously together, so well in sync they almost never miss a beat. Definitely tough shoes to fill! We are saddened to lose such valuable Often when you think team members, but wish them all the best! youre at the end of something youre at the beginning of something else. Allison Murphy, Jack Keats, - Fred Rogers Tammy Willis. and Debbie Brohawn. Mr. James Bilbrough, Board President (right) presenting Mr. Keats (left) with a Govemor's Citation for his service on the Board. 2025 Legislation 2026 Election Here are a few changes from the 2025 Legislative Session: Dates & Times Primary Election Date Senate Bill 645/House Bill 945 (both passed) PRIMARY ELECTION alter the date of the gubernatorial primary election to be the fourth Tuesday in June. Early Voting: Thursday. June 11 Election Judge Training Pay House Bill 586 (passed) requires the Thursday. June 18. 2026 local board to pay an election judge for each training course the election 7:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. judge completes only after the election judge has served an Election Day or early voting day. The bill also authorizes a public school student that serves as an election judge to either (1) earn service-learning credit or (2) Election Day: receive election judge compensation. Tuesday. June 23. 2026 Election Judge Party Affiliation Senate Bill 308 (passed) requires 700a.m.- 8:00 p.m. each polling place, to the extent practicable, to have an equal number of election judges, including chief election judges, from the majority party and the principal minority party. If an election director designating two chief judges for a polling place is unable to designate one chief judge from the majority party and one chief judge from the principal minority party at least 45 days before the start of early voting, the election director must designate one chief judge from the majority party or principal minority GENERAL ELECTION party and one chief judge who is not registered with either party. Early Voting: What does this mean? Initially. we need to fill election judge Thursday. October 22 positions with judges from the Democratic and Republican Thursday. October 29. parties, making sure we have equal representation in each poll- 2026 ing place. After that, then we can add judges that are not affiliated with 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. either party. Previous Chief Judges who are not affiliated with either party may only be assigned to fill a Chief Judge position if one becomes availa- ble within 45 days before early voting starts and we are unable to recruit Election Day: and train a Democratic or Republican judge. Tuesday. November 3, 2026 A full list of election-related bills that passed during 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. the 2025 Legislative Session can be viewed here: htps/Ids.maryland: gov/pubs/prod/ RecurRpv/25rs 90 Day Report.pdf SCAN ME 2026 Gubernatorial Election Information Important Dates and Deadlines Primary Election Deadline to File for Candidacy 9PM. February 24, 2026 Last Day to Register and Change Party Affiliation before Primary. June 2, 2026 Deadline to Request a Ballot Delivered by Mail or Fax June 16, 2026 Deadline to Request a Ballot Delivered via internet. June 19, 2026 Primary Election Day June 23, 2026 General Election Last Day to Register before General.. October 13, 2026 Deadline to Request a Ballot Delivered by Mail or Fax. October 27, 2026 Deadline to Request a Ballot Delivered via Internet October 30, 2026 General Election Day November 3, 2026 Early Voting information : EARLY 2026 Primary Election Early Voting Schedule: a VoTIO The Early Voting Center for . Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Thursday, June 18, 2026 Caroline County Voters: Early Voting Center is open 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Caroline County Health & Public Services Building 2026 General Election Early Voting Schedule: (Health Dept. Building) 403 S. 7th Street Thursday, October 22, 2026 - Thursday, October 29, 2026 Denton, MD 21629 Early Voting Center is open 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Voter Services Online Voter Services Register to vote, update voter registration information, request a mail-in ballot and check your polling place online at oweiectionsmanlandsgy SCAN ME Cell Phone Text Services Text VOTE to 777-88 and a link will be sent to register to vote. Text UPDATE to 777-88 and a link will be sent to update your voter registration. Text VBM to 777-88 and a link will be sent to request a mail-in ballot application online. About Us Contact Us iti is the responsibility of Caroline County Board of Elections to oversee Caroline the conduct of all Federal, State and local elections held in Caroline County County, in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, Election Board of Elections Law of the Annotated Code of Maryland and the Code of Maryland Regu- 403S. 7" Street lations (COMAR) and the Federal Help America Vote Act. Suite 247 Denton MD 21629-1378 Office Staff Allison Murphy, Election Director 410-479- 8145 Tammy Willis, Election Program Specialist 410-479 5736 FAX Debbie Brohawn, Election Program Assistant Visit us on the web: Board Members VWWW. carolinendelections. org James M. Bilbrough, II, President and Republican Member Like us on Facebook Suzanne Campos, Vice President and Democratic Member CarolineMDElections Margaret A. Thompson, Democratic Member Angel Perez, Democratic Member Dana Callahan, Republican Member Walter Palmer, III, Board Attomey Caroline County Board of Elections 403 S. Seventh Street Suite 247 Denton, MD 21629-1378