Maryland County Claims It Can Create School Board Seat for Illegal Immigrants to Vote

In a controversial move, Howard County officials in Maryland have defended their practice of allowing only public school students to vote for a student seat on the school board, despite challenges that it violates the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause and First Amendment religious rights. The case has been through several courts, with some questioning whether the process is truly an appointment or an election, and what implications it may have for voting rights.

The debate over the student seat on the Howard County school board has raised questions about the 14th Amendment and its application to voting rights. Some argue that if a student is appointed, the matter is closed. However, if the process is deemed an election, it would be up to the county to prove restrictions on who is allowed to vote.

Judge A. Mavin Quattlebaum Jr. has questioned whether undocumented aliens could be eligible for a school board member designated for them, and whether this would violate the one-person, one-vote principle. County attorney Amy Marshak has argued that it would not, but questioned if additional parts of the law could come into play.

Maryland allows immigrants, even those in the country illegally, to vote in local elections if communities allow them to do so. However, no elections are currently reserved specifically for them. The case is still ongoing, with both sides waiting for a ruling from the court of appeals.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.