Maryland voters near a Maryland drop box for vote by mail

Future of Maryland Elections

Through the Future of Maryland Elections Project, CDCE tracks changes in how Marylanders voters, how they feel about different methods of voting, and the policy tradeoffs associated with different potential futures for voting in Maryland. This effort seeks to invite the public, state and local elections officials, and policymakers into a constructive conversation about what the future of Maryland elections should look like.

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January 6 Attack

Tracking Public Opinion About January 6 Attack

CDCE and the Washington Post have worked together since the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S Capitol to publish an annual poll tracking public sentiment about the events of January 6, 2021. These polls have received extensive coverage from news media around the national and world because they have illuminated how support for the attack has grown (especially with Republicans and young voters) and how voters are less and less likely to say former President Trump is responsible for the attack.  

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Elections workforce

Strengthening the Elections Workforce

Working closely with partners in election offices and other government agencies, nonprofits, as well as scholars from across disciplines, public sector recruitment experts, and philanthropy, CDCE is using a variety of research methods to understand how we can strengthen the elections workforce and build trust in elections.

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Athletes wearing shirts that say VOTE

Research on Sports and Voting

Since 2021, CDCE has worked with the Civic Responsibility Project and the Povich Center for Sports Journalism to better understand the intersection between sports and civic engagement.

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Vote Riders table promoting ID help

Who Are Most Affected by Voter ID and Documentary Proof of Citizenship Laws

CDCE convenes a collaboration with community partners to generate useful knowledge about which Americans are most impacted by Voter ID and documentary proof of citizenship laws.

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Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Millet speak at transition event

Effective Government Transitions Project

The peaceful transfer of power is a fundamental part of democratic societies. The Effective Government Transitions Project brings CDCE’s substantive and methodological expertise to newly elected administrations in local and state governments to help ensure they are prepared to meet the needs of the communities they represent. Key Resources: The Civic Transition Toolkit provides a step-by-step guide for newly elected officials to engage the public in their transitions.

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group photo in front of "welcome new voters" projected graphic

Mobilizing Colleges and Schools to Welcome All New Voters

All across the world, we see new voters participating at lower rates than voters who have been participating for many years. This problem is particularly acute in the United States where the disparity in participation rates between younger and older voters is especially large.

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Annapolis 101

Facilitating Understanding of State Government

One of the CDCE’s core strategic directives is to “facilitate understanding of state government." Annapolis 101 is a suite of resources and activities that can be used in curricular, co-curricular, and advocacy settings to educate about the Maryland General Assembly, legislative process and advocacy.

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Young person holds a sign that says "I Want to be Heard"

Vote 16 Research Network

The Vote16 Research Network is a community-led effort convened by scholars at the University of Maryland to study the impact of a lower voting age in cities in the United States.

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Chincoteague Hall

The Government and Politics Research Lab

The Government and Politics Research Lab at the University of Maryland is a vibrant center where students and faculty collaborate on pioneering research, producing significant contributions to the field within their academic environment.

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Research

Research and Programs Archive

Archived reports, research, and programs from CDCE.

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