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Caroline County Board of Elections
Monthly Board Meeting
Health & Public Services Building
403 S. Seventh Street, Suite 111, Denton, Maryland
Friday, March 13, 2026 – 9:30 a.m.
In Attendance:
James Bilbrough II, Board President Allison Murphy, Election Director
Suzanne Campos, Board Vice President Larry Thomas, Election Program Specialist
Margaret Thompson, Board Member
Walter Palmer, Board Attorney
Absent:
Angel Perez, Board Member
Dana Callahan, Board Member
Guests:
No guests were present.
Declaration of Quorum Present
Mr. Bilbrough called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m. and stated that there was a quorum
present.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from February 13, 2026
Ms. Campos made a motion to approve the meeting minutes, with corrections. Mrs. Thompson
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Request Changes to the Agenda
There were none.
Election Director’s Report
Mrs. Murphy reviewed the Director’s Report with the Board.
Administration/Meetings:
Mrs. Murphy informed the Board that staff attended several Maryland Association of Election
Officials (MAEO) committee and State Board of Elections (SBE) meetings.
Mrs. Murphy shared the revised FY27 budget request with the County Commissioners during the
budget roundtable on 3/3/2026. There were very few questions from the commissioners as they
understand much of our budget is out of our control.
Mrs. Murphy reminded the Board Members that their MD State Ethics Disclosure is due on
4/30/2026.
Voter Registration:
The voter registration counts reports from February and March 2026 were provided. Mr.
Bilbrough noted a spacing issue that needed to be made in the totals section.
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Election Judges:
Mrs. Murphy provided the required Election Judge Assignment Report dated 3/4/2026, showing
parity between the two principal political parties.
Election Administration
Mrs. Murphy reviewed items that staff are working on for the upcoming election.
Election judges’ supply bag packing has begun. Early voting forms have been customized and
are ready to be proofed. Election day forms are in the process of being customized.
The 2026 Election Judge Manual has been customized with county specific edits and submitted
to SBE for approval. Once approval is given, Mrs. Murphy will send the manual to the printing
company.
Mrs. Murphy has begun working on the 2026 Primary Election specimen ballot using the State’s
template.
Mrs. Murphy explained the Risk Limiting Audit (RLA) process. She stated that staff completed a
training of the RLA process and it went smoothly.
Mrs. Murphy submitted Caroline County’s 2026 Disaster Recovery Plan to SBE.
Legislation
Mrs. Murphy discussed providing written and oral testimony to the Education, Energy & the
Environment Committee in favor of SB443. This bill would allow an attorney who does not
reside in the County to serve as counsel for a Board of Elections. We are hopeful that this bill
will pass.
She also reviewed other proposed election-related legislation.
Candidate Filing:
Twenty-nine candidates have filed for local offices. The Board of Education, District 3 contest
only had 2 candidates file, so we will not have a non-partisan ballot for the 2026 Primary
Election. This contest will go straight to the General Election ballot.
Board Member’s Report/Disclosure of Campaign Contributions
No report.
Board Attorney’s Report
Mr. Palmer thanked Mrs. Murphy for her testimony on SB443. He will provide the name of
someone who previously expressed interest in serving as the Board Attorney.
Old Business
No old business to discuss.
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New Business
Appointment of the 2026 Primary Election Judges
Mrs. Murphy asked for the Board’s approval to appoint the election judges for the 2026 Primary
Election. Mrs. Thompson made the motion to appoint the 2026 election judges. Ms. Campos
seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
Press Release: The MD Administrator of Elections Addresses Mis/Disinformation of the
“Nationalism of Elections”
Press Release: State Administrator of Elections addresses recent statements regarding the role
of the US Department of Homeland Security and elections
Ms. Campos asked if a link to these press releases could be added to our website so members of
the public could be referred there if they have questions. Mrs. Murphy stated she would link
SBE’s press release webpage to our website.
Public Comments
No public comment.
Schedule the Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Health & Public
Services Building, 403 S. 7th Street, Suite 111, Denton, Maryland.
Adjournment
Mrs. Thompson made a motion to adjourn the open meeting; Ms. Campos seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Bilbrough adjourned the open meeting at 10:03 a.m.
APPROVED 4/10/2026