Oversight Project Secures Major Litigation Victory in Howell v. Maryland
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, the Oversight Project, a proud member of the Mass Deportation Coalition and the leader of the Redistricting and Election Protection for American Integrity and Representation (REPAIR) Initiative, secured a massive litigation victory in Howell v. Maryland. Yesterday, Oversight Project attorneys, led by Vice President of Litigation Jeff Clark, appeared in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County to challenge the State of Maryland over its unlawful amendment to the Constitution in House Bill 2100.
The court found that the Maryland General Assembly broke the law in blowing through the deadlines established in Maryland election laws and that the language of the proposed constitutional amendment is misleading and legally deficient. The court enjoined the Board of Elections from including the question on the November ballot, but stayed the injunction pending appeal to the Maryland Supreme Court. The state immediately filed a notice of appeal to the Maryland Supreme Court.
The court’s decision is an important step toward ensuring that Maryland voters receive timely, accurate, and complete information about the constitutional amendments appearing on their ballots. The Oversight Project is proud to have secured this victory on behalf of Maryland voters who deserve meaningful notice and due process before being asked to vote on complex constitutional questions. This litigation helps ensure voters have access to the legal and factual context necessary to understand the full scope of consequences of proposed amendments.
Not only did Maryland Democrats blatantly ignore deadlines for amendments established by the Maryland legislature and try to line up taking away the sole Republican Congressional seat through last-minute changes. The Oversight Project won’t let Democrats ignore facts or the law.
We are grateful to have pursued this fight alongside members of the Maryland Freedom Caucus and Members of the Maryland Senate. Their partnership underscores the importance of defending transparency, due process, and the integrity of Maryland elections. The Oversight Project will continue working to ensure American citizens have the information, protections, and due process they deserve before casting their ballot.
This fight isn’t over. We expect to be in front of the Maryland Supreme Court in short order.
Oversight Project Strategic Counsel and head of REPAIR Marshall Yates gave this statement:
“Today’s decision is a major step in our battle against Maryland’s lawless attempt at redistricting. Complete and total vindication! The laws matter and must be followed, without exception or ignore due to political consideration.
Today’s decision is only one step because we know this case will rapidly be heard by the Maryland Supreme Court. We are confident that we will continue to make our cases to the Justices to expose the State’s lawlessness.”
Oversight Project Vice President of Litigation Jeff Clark gave this statement:
“After powering through an expedited emergency set of briefs and about 5 hours of oral argument yesterday in Annapolis, it is very rewarding to see that the Judge assigned to the case agreed with the catalogue of legal errors we laid out that the General Assembly and Governor Moore made in their hurry-up Special Session. Now we will proceed with energy and this wind at our backs as we go up to defend this victory on appeal before the Maryland Supreme Court.”
Oversight Project President Mike Howell gave this statement:
“This is a big win not only for Marylanders but fans of justice across the country. We had the facts and law on our side and won, and that won't change if the state appeals.”
Read the court’s opinion here.
Read the court’s order granting Oversight Project’s Motion for Summary Judgment here.