Annapolis, MD — In light of Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s announcement on May 5, 2025, regarding the state’s participation in a multi-state lawsuit opposing a recent Executive Order from President Trump, SecureTheVoteMD.com calls on the Attorney General to clarify the basis for his claims—particularly the assertion that the order is “unconstitutional, unlawful, and un-American”.
We strongly dispute this characterization. The Executive Order in question calls for states to enforce identification requirements consistent with the REAL ID Act of 2005, a federal law passed by Congress and signed into law over 19 years ago. There is nothing “unconstitutional” about requiring compliance with existing federal law—especially one that Maryland has already embraced and implemented with high success.
As of April 2025, approximately 99% of eligible Maryland residents possess REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards. These IDs are issued by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and require applicants to provide verified proof of:
- Identity (such as a valid U.S. passport or certified birth certificate)
- Social Security number (e.g., Social Security card or W-2)
- Two documents confirming Maryland residency (e.g., utility bills, bank statements)
The claim that this Executive Order mandates “unlawful” documentation is not only false, but it also misrepresents the documents already required to board domestic flights or access federal buildings starting May 7, 2025—requirements that Maryland has fully prepared for.
Most importantly, we call on the Attorney General to explain why, as Maryland’s chief legal officer, he appears to be undermining not only the enforcement of REAL ID laws, but also the clear constitutional standard that only U.S. citizens may vote in federal elections—a principle so fundamental that even elementary students are taught its importance. Maryland residents deserve full transparency when legal actions are taken in their name and funded with their tax dollars.
SecureTheVoteMD.com will continue to advocate for policies that uphold both security and lawful access in our electoral process. Ensuring voters present valid, federally compliant identification should be a point of bipartisan agreement—not litigation.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact us at:
info@securethevotemd.com