Anne Arundel judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Maryland’s closed primaries

Voters cast at the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex in Prince George's County during the 2024 general election. A circuit judge rejected claims by unaffiliated voters that they are disenfranchised by the state's closed primary system. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

BY: CHRISTINE CONDON

“An Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by unaffiliated Maryland voters, who argued that the state’s closed primary elections infringe on their voting rights.

In her ruling last week, Circuit Judge Pamela K. Alban wrote that the state’s precedent is clear, based on prior cases that affirmed political parties’ rights to exclude unaffiliated voters from their primary elections.

“While the Maryland Constitution and Declaration of Rights guarantee the right to vote in state elections, neither grants the right to vote in a political party’s primary without affiliating with that party,” Alban wrote.”

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https://marylandmatters.org/2025/11/19/unaffiliated-voters-lawsuit-dismissed-circuit-court/