City of Laurel To Vote on Repeal of Controversial Election Law

The Laurel City Council is set to hold a special meeting Aug. 8 to vote on a repeal of a section of its election law after a complaint was filed to the state's Attorney General's Office and NAACP that questioned the validity of the law.

According to a news release issued early Friday, Mayor Craig A. Moe has asked the Laurel City Council to convene in special session Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. to consider an emergency amendment to clarify candidate qualifications. 

The law, which was adopted in October 2010, was, itself, an amended ordinance that required a criminal background check before a person may qualify as a candidate for an elected position in the city. 

But the local chapters of the NAACP and ACLU that the law was unconstitutional and unfairly targeted minorities. The NAACP threatened legal action.

The state's attorney general's office confirmed to Laurel Patch that it was reviewing a complaint filed by a local elected official to see if the law was in violation of Maryland's election laws. The law grants residents with a criminal history the opportunity to vote or run for election once their voting rights have been restored.

Representatives from the NAACP and ACLU reached agreement earlier this week with city officials to present legislation to the city council that would mirror state law regarding candidate eligibility, according to a press release from the city.

With a city election looming this November, Moe moved to have the legislation amended before the Sept. 6 candidate filing deadline. On Aug. 8, Moe will ask the council to suspend its rules in order to amend the ordinance, according to his statement.

Moe said that it is important to clarify the law because the "wording in the existing legislation may be interpreted as discriminating to potential candidates to whom the phrase 'background investigation' may have many connotations.

“I want to express my appreciation to the NAACP and the ACLU for contacting the city with its concerns and especially for the assistance given in providing recommended language for the proposed amendment to the legislation," Moe said.

City officials, including Council President Robert A. Manzi, said the legislation was meant to safeguard the city against county government . Likewise, Moe said in a statement that the law was meant to add transparency to Laurel's government and to assure city residents the opportunity to better know candidates running for office.

Still, NAACP branch President Bob Ross said the law essentially banned persons with criminal backgrounds from running for election in the city, an unprecedented requirement in most jurisdictions, he said.

The law as it stands requires the city's Board of Elections to review background checks and disqualified potential candidates who had been convicted of, or entered a plea of, no contest to any crime involving jail time, including misdemeanors.

"Once you pay your dues [and have your voting rights restored], you should be able to go for any job in this country," Ross told Laurel Patch.

Moe has requested that citizens of Laurel obtain a copy of the amending legislation and provide their input, either by attending the Aug. 8 public hearing at 6 p.m. at the Laurel Municipal Center, or by providing written testimony by e-mail to City Administrator Kristie Mills at kmills@laurel.md.us or contacting any member of the Laurel City Council at 301-725-5300 x 2121.