Who Is the Chief Election Official in Maryland?

In the intricate machinery of American democracy, the people who run elections are paramount. In Maryland, this responsibility falls to a key figure whose role is often misunderstood. So, who exactly is in charge of Maryland's elections?

Meet the State Administrator of Elections

The top non-political official overseeing elections in Maryland is the State Administrator of Elections. This position is currently held by Jared DeMarinis, who was unanimously selected for the role by the bipartisan State Board of Elections and began his tenure on September 1, 2023. Unlike an elected Secretary of State, which some states use as their chief election officer, Maryland's system relies on a professional administrator appointed by a board. This structure is designed to place the day-to-day management of elections in the hands of an experienced, non-partisan expert who reports to a board with balanced political representation. DeMarinis is a long-serving official within the Maryland election system, having previously spent 18 years

as the state's Director of Candidacy and Campaign Finance. His deep experience in the nuances of election law and campaign finance made him a natural fit for the top job, stepping in to lead the agency tasked with ensuring free, secure, and transparent elections for all Marylanders.

What the State Board of Elections Actually Does

The State Administrator does not operate in a vacuum. They are the chief executive, so to speak, of the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE). The SBE is the official government body responsible for ensuring that all state and federal election laws are followed throughout Maryland. This includes a wide range of critical duties: supervising and supporting the local election boards in each county and Baltimore City, overseeing the state's voter registration database (MDVOTERS), preparing and certifying ballots, and managing the state's campaign finance reporting system. The Board itself is composed of five members appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, with representation from both major political parties to ensure a level of bipartisan oversight. This body sets the policy and provides the high-level governance, while the Administrator and their staff handle the complex operational details of making elections happen. Their mission is to empower Marylanders to vote while inspiring public trust in the process.

A Role Defined by Modern Challenges

In recent years, the job of an election administrator has become increasingly complex and publicly scrutinized. Jared DeMarinis has identified combating disinformation and misinformation as a primary external challenge facing his office. His approach, and that of the SBE, is to position the board as the trusted, official source for all election information. This has involved not just managing logistics but also engaging in public battles over election integrity. DeMarinis has recently been involved in high-stakes disputes, including a legal case against the U.S. Department of Justice over demands for Maryland's voter roll data and another instance where the DOJ threatened him with criminal charges over the state's refusal to release voter records amidst federal pressure. He has also called for a state investigation into online prediction markets that allow betting on election outcomes, arguing they violate Maryland law. These issues highlight how the role has evolved from a purely administrative function to one that is on the front lines of defending the electoral process against new and emerging threats.

Experience and a Proactive Approach

DeMarinis's long career in the state's election apparatus has been marked by a proactive stance on technology and transparency. As Director of Candidacy and Campaign Finance, he helped make Maryland a model for using new technologies for campaign disclosure and enforcement. He is a recognized expert on issues ranging from deepfakes and the regulation of online campaign ads to the history of the Electoral College in Maryland, on which he wrote a book. His work has not been confined to the United States; he has also served as an international election observer in countries like Estonia and Armenia, giving him a broad perspective on democratic practices. This background informs his leadership as he navigates the challenges of a modern election cycle, from handling vendor errors with mail-in ballots to reassuring the public about the security and integrity of their vote.