Background on the Cease and Desist Order
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown took decisive action by issuing a cease and desist letter to the Center for Voter Information/Voter Participation Center (CVI/VPC) located in Washington, D.C. This order mandates the organization to immediately halt the distribution of letters threatening to expose registered Maryland voters who do not participate in the upcoming election. The cease and desist letter explicitly prohibits the CVI/VPC from sending any form of intimidating correspondence in the future.
The letters state, in part:
“We’re sending this mailing to you and to your neighbors to share who does and does not vote in an effort to promote election participation. While we have hidden the name and street number of your neighbors to protect privacy, these are true voting records.”
“We will be reviewing these records after the election to determine whether or not you joined our neighbors in voting.”
Implications for Voter Rights
Attorney General Brown emphasized the significance of voting as a fundamental right for Maryland residents. He stated, “Any action that intimidates prospective voters, especially on the eve of such a consequential election, will not be tolerated.” The rhetoric used in these letters, suggesting that non-voters could be publicly embarrassing to their community, is a clear violation of both Maryland and federal laws aimed at protecting voters from intimidation.
Concerns Raised by Voters
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the State Board of Elections (SBE) received multiple complaints regarding the CVI/VPC’s mailings, which falsely presented themselves as “voting report cards.” Recipients reported feelings of intimidation, alarm, and distress due to the nature of these communications. The cease and desist letter aims not only to stop future threats but also to safeguard the voting rights of all Marylanders from unwarranted intimidation tactics.
Marylanders have the right to be free from intimidation when it comes to the candidates for whom they vote or whether they vote at all. Please see our guide regarding voter intimidation near polling places here: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Reports/GUIDANCE_ON_VOTER_INTIMIDATION.pdf.
“Voting is among the most important rights that Marylanders have. Any action that intimidates prospective voters, especially on the eve of such a consequential election, will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General Brown. “Let me be clear: these unnerving letters are unacceptable, and Maryland voters should know that their decision to vote this Election Day is entirely theirs to make.”
