(Washington, D.C., September 8, 2005) – Ropes & Gray LLP today challenged a Maryland regulation that prohibits workers who register voters from receiving compensation unless they are regular employees of a political party, labor union, or governmental or non-governmental entity. The voter-registration restriction – apparently the only one of its kind among the 50 states – is the target of a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Md., by a group of pro bono clients, including two organizations that conduct voter registration drives in under-represented communities, and two individuals who wish to participate and register voters in those drives. 

Ropes & Gray’s clients in this matter – Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (“ACORN”), Project Vote, and Maryland citizens Esther Hughes and Maurice Morales -- seek a declaration that Maryland's regulation is unlawful and unconstitutional, as well as preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against its enforcement. 

“Ropes & Gray is pleased to have this opportunity to take part in challenging Maryland's selective and unconstitutional impediment to voter registration, a core function of our democracy,” observed Ropes & Gray partner Steve Baughman, who is working with colleagues David Stewart on this matter, together with Maryland counsel Lerch Early & Brewer, Chartered. “This state regulation effectively silences organizations like ACORN that wish to register low and moderate-income voters, and it imposes unfair barriers on full participation in elections.”

The lawsuit alleges violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, Articles 32 and 40 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. It names as defendants the members of the Maryland State Board of Elections and the Montgomery County Board of Elections in their official capacities.

Contact:

J. Steven Baughman
Ropes & Gray
t. 202.508.4606      

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