BALTIMORE — With the 2028 presidential election on the horizon, Maryland’s elections administrator wants lawmakers to use next year’s legislative session to address prediction markets and strengthen protections for election judges, and to revisit a proposal regulating the influence of social media algorithms on elections.

Jared DeMarinis says he wants those changes in place before the next presidential campaign, when he expects election-related betting and the influence of social media platforms to grow. He is particularly concerned about prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket, which saw more than $1.1 million in trading volume tied to Maryland elections during this year’s gubernatorial cycle, according to a Sun analysis.

His agenda comes after problems during this year’s election, including 350,000 incorrect practice ballots sent to Anne Arundel County voters and an hourslong delay at a Prince George’s County polling place because of a lack of equipment. DeMarinis also faced suspicious letters sent to election officials across the country, including his office and members of Maryland’s congressional delegation.

This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

What election-related issues do you plan to take to the General Assembly in 2027?

I want to make sure that we protect the election judges more. I’ve seen some harassment in other states regarding election judges. We have a bill that will do that.

Prediction markets, I’m still waiting for a response from the Office of the State Prosecutor on that matter. I saw a recent article about how much was bet, even though it was prohibited. I’m going to go to the General Assembly and make sure that gets addressed because I do not believe that prediction markets should be involved in elections. We’ve had this kind of law on the books since like 1830. Having financial incentives for electoral outcomes has never been a good idea, and should remain a bad idea.

It’s literally on your phone; it’s on every feed that you’re in. There are ads for it, and it’s just too easy. In 2028, it’s going to be even crazier. When you have a presidential election, everyone’s going to be talking about it.

Additionally, as we move into the 2028 election, there was a lot of talk about the use of algorithms and social media. If these media platforms are using them in a way to amplify speech or decrease speech, is that an in-kind contribution? Is that an independent expenditure?

This year’s election exposed some problems in local election administration, including incorrect practice ballots in Anne Arundel County and long delays at a Prince George’s County polling place. What needs to change to prevent similar problems in 2028?

I think more oversight of the locals. Oversight means verification of the duties performed to ensure more confidence and accountability in the process. I’m of the philosophy where we’re all in this together, the locals and the state. In order to make sure that people have confidence in the system, we all kind of sink or swim as a unit together.

Have threats against election offices affected you or your staff?

It just strengthens my resolve because all they want to do is cause chaos, disenfranchise voters — something that is antithetical to our democracy, to the founding of our country. That’s why I came out so strongly against those cowards who do this action here. They’re going to fail.

When you took this job, did you expect those threats and security concerns?

No. We have to take a look at physical security and cybersecurity. You just went through my office here; that’s all brand new. We have separation between the public interacting with us. We have to be diligent and have some safeguards because we’ve seen attacks not in Maryland, but we’ve seen threats in Maryland. We’ve also seen attacks on our counterparts across the nation. We have to make sure that everyone is safe and secure in their work environment.

What protections do you want for election judges?

Making sure that their personnel files are safe and secure to prevent doxing and harassment. They should be treated more like personnel records. They are getting paid; they are doing a service for the state. It’s great that they come out and help us. Because without the nearly 26,000 election judges, we would not be able to put on the election.

What else would you like to accomplish as state elections administrator?

I always wanted to create an election museum. I think Maryland is the perfect place for it. I think understanding how we voted, the rationale behind it, and the expansion of our rights is important. The different equipment, hanging chads — all that shouldn’t go by the wayside. It should be prominent in people’s thoughts.

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