ACLU of Maryland Election Protection Report: Examining the 2020 Election

May 20, 2021

The image on the left is of a Black woman at voting at a ballot box and has a red filter over it. The image in the middle is a Black man wearing an "I voted" sticker and has on glasses. The image on the right is part of the US flag and shows stars.

Despite the many challenges presented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a year that marked dramatic changes in the way that Maryland voters exercise their right to vote. And amidst a widespread racial and social justice movement, the 2020 Primary and General Election showcased a historic and unprecedented level of determination by Maryland voters to make their voices heard in elections.

The Election Protection Team at the ACLU of Maryland worked to reduce barriers to voting and fight against voter disenfranchisement, particularly for voters who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This report documents both the ACLU of Maryland’s Election Protection work for the 2020 Primary and General Elections and details recommendations to improve voting infrastructure, increase accountability of the State and Local Boards of Elections, and improve accessibility of the ballot, including for Marylanders in jails and prisons.


The report was created and edited by Amy Cruice and Cherie Deogracias, with design support from Lauren Frost and Nicole McCann.