The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) plans to procure a texting solution to use in the statewide 2026 elections. As part of the planning phase, we would like to learn about available or planned solutions that meet relevant Maryland State laws and regulations and can be acquired, integrated, and fully implemented for the 2026 elections and beyond. The solution should provide the elements critical to a successful emergency and informational texting solution for the election community and general public across all 24 local election jurisdictions in Maryland (which are collaboratively administrated by both the State and the localities). Before every election, the local boards of elections (LBE’s) across the State must recruit and train thousands of registered voters to operate polling locations in accordance with Maryland laws and procedures. These individuals are known as election judges. These election judges are trained to operate a polling location during early voting and on election day. While they are required to attend training and to review an instruction manual to familiarize themselves with equipment and procedures, they need a simple means of communication with State and local boards of elections during times of in person voting particularly in the event of an emergency, urgent or evolving situation.
