In a recent ruling, the Maryland Court of Appeals upheld a decision that prevents Lisa Russell from appearing on the ballot for the House of Delegates in the upcoming November election. The court's decision, issued on September 4, 2026, came after Russell's petition for candidacy was deemed to have insufficient valid signatures. This ruling affects Russell and her supporters, who hoped to see her on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate.
The case, known as Russell v. Maryland State Board of Elections (Docket No. 24pc/26), began when Russell filed her petition to run as an unaffiliated candidate. She submitted a total of 1,182 signatures to the Prince George’s County Board of Elections. However, the Board rejected 370 of those signatures, leaving her short of the required number to qualify for the ballot. The Maryland State Board of Elections subsequently notified Russell of this decision, prompting her to challenge it in court.
Lisa Russell's challenge to the State Board's decision stemmed from several claims. She argued that the Board failed to identify the specific signatures that were invalid, that there was a numerical discrepancy in the signatures reviewed, and that valid signatures were improperly excluded. To support her case, Russell requested records from the State Board and filed a petition in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.
After filing her challenge, the circuit court held a three-day trial from August 31 to September 2, 2026. During the trial, the State Board filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that Russell had not provided sufficient evidence to support her claims. The circuit court initially granted the motion to dismiss but allowed Russell to amend her petition. She submitted a supplemental brief and a table detailing her objections to the rejected signatures.
On September 2, the circuit court issued its final order, which accepted Russell's amended petition but ultimately denied her request to appear on the ballot. The court ruled that Russell's name “shall not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 23.” Following this ruling, Russell filed a direct appeal to the Maryland Court of Appeals.
In its decision, the Maryland Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court's ruling. The court's opinion, delivered per curiam, stated that the lower court's judgment was correct and that Russell did not meet the necessary requirements to qualify for the ballot. The court emphasized the importance of adhering to election laws, which dictate the process for candidates seeking to appear on the ballot.
The court ruled, "ORDERED that the judgment of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County is affirmed; and it is further ORDERED that costs are to be paid by the appellant."
The impact of this ruling is significant for Lisa Russell and her supporters, as it effectively ends her campaign for the House of Delegates in District 23 for the 2026 election. This case highlights the strict requirements candidates must meet to qualify for the ballot in Maryland. The ruling may also serve as a precedent for future candidates who seek to challenge decisions made by election boards regarding signature validity.
Going forward, this ruling could influence how election officials handle similar cases in the future. Candidates must ensure that they meet all legal requirements and submit valid signatures to avoid disqualification. The decision also underscores the importance of transparency in the signature verification process, as candidates like Russell rely on clear communication from election officials regarding the validity of their petitions.
As for what’s next, it remains unclear if Russell plans to appeal the decision to a higher court. There is no indication of any related cases pending at this time. However, the outcome of this case may inspire other candidates to carefully review their petitions and the processes involved in securing ballot access.