he Center for Election Science (CES) was thrilled to attend the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Conference in Ocean City this year. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for our team to connect with legislators, stakeholders, and community leaders, including a notable meeting with former Governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Larry Hogan.

Our participation at the MACo Conference was an important platform for showcasing our new branding and innovative tools designed to improve voting systems. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we were excited to see the interest generated by our refreshed identity and updated resources.

One of the key highlights of our presence at the conference was the momentum we built for a new approval voting bill. This proposed legislation builds on the success of last year's efforts, aiming to bring the benefits of approval voting to even more communities across Maryland. Our team engaged in productive discussions with numerous county officials and state legislators, many of whom expressed strong interest in supporting the bill.

Chris Raleigh, our Director of Campaigns and Advocacy, emphasized the significance of these conversations:
"This was a critical moment for us to not only introduce our new look but to also strengthen relationships with key stakeholders who are instrumental in advancing approval voting in Maryland. The support we received at MACo shows there is real enthusiasm for election reform, and we are committed to turning that enthusiasm into action."

With the groundwork laid at the MACo Conference, CES is more energized than ever to push for meaningful election reform in Maryland. We look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure that voters have a better, more representative way to make their voices heard. Stay tuned for more updates on our work in Maryland and beyond!