BALTIMORE, Maryland — Maryland’s Attorney General has taken decisive action against a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., ordering it to immediately cease sending letters to Maryland voters that imply voter activities would be publicized if they do not participate in the upcoming election. The cease and desist letter issued by Attorney General Anthony Brown targets the Center for Voter Information/Voter Participation Center (CVI/VPC), following reports that their mailings are designed to intimidate voters by threatening to expose non-participation to their neighbors.
This directive comes as the Attorney General’s Office, in conjunction with the State Board of Elections, has received numerous complaints regarding the CVI/VPC’s controversial “Voting Report Cards.” These mailings reportedly outline the voting records of recipients compared to their neighbors over the past four elections. Despite anonymizing the neighbors’ names and exact addresses, the practice has raised significant privacy and ethical concerns.
Attorney General Brown emphasized the importance of safeguarding the electoral process, stating that any efforts to coerce or intimidate voters undermine the very foundation of democratic participation. “Voting is a private and personal decision and should be made free from undue pressure and fear of retribution,” Brown asserted.
The letters, which the group claims are intended to foster increased voter turnout by invoking a community accountability aspect, state: “We’ll be reviewing these records after the election to determine whether or not you joined our neighbors in voting.” This implies a continued monitoring of individuals’ voting behaviors, adding an additional layer of pressure.
Critics argue that while voter participation data is a matter of public record, the manner in which it is being used by CVI/VPC crosses ethical lines and potentially legal boundaries by manipulating it for intimidation purposes.
In response to the cease and desist order, the CVI/VPC must confirm that it will not follow through with its threats to make individuals’ voting records public among their local communities. They are also barred from issuing any future communications that could be seen as threatening to Maryland voters.
As the situation develops, Maryland officials remain vigilant in their pursuit to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, ensuring that all eligible voters can cast their ballots without fear of community exposure or public shaming. The protection of voter privacy continues to be a focal point as the state prepares for the electoral process.
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