Legislative Endorsement Questionnaire

 

Maryland NOW PAC 2026
Legislative Endorsement Questionnaire

 Section 1: Candidate Information

  • Candidate Name:
  • Office Sought / Legislative District:
  • Address (City/State/Zip):
  • Email Address:
  • Phone Number:
  • Campaign Website:

Section 2: Campaign & Experience

  • List any elected offices you have held:
  • List any appointed positions, professional roles, or community leadership experience:
  • Describe your experience working on issues affecting women, girls, and marginalized communities:

Section 3: Values & Accountability

Our organization is guided by six core values:

  • Reproductive Rights & Justice
  • Ending Violence Against Women
  • Economic Justice
  • LGBTQIA+ Rights
  • Racial Justice
  • Constitutional Equality
  1. Values Alignment
    Which of these values most shapes your candidacy, and how has it influenced your policy priorities? Provide specific examples.
  2. Accountability
    What specific actions (legislation, votes, funding priorities, or public leadership) will you take in your first year to advance these values?

 Section 4: Reproductive Rights & Justice

Maryland has expanded abortion access, including creating a state-funded abortion grant program to support uninsured and underinsured patients.

  1. Access & Workforce
    What policies will you support to expand access to reproductive healthcare, including provider availability and training?
  2. Funding
    Do you support continued or expanded state funding for abortion care? Why or why not?
  3. Legal Protections
    What actions will you take to protect patients and providers from out-of-state legal action?
  4. Current Legislation
    What is your position on legislation related to:
  • Reporting and data collection on reproductive healthcare (e.g., SB485)
  • Criminal penalties related to coercion involving abortion-inducing drugs (e.g., HB885/SB302)

Section 5: Privacy, Criminalization & Data Protection

Question:
What steps will you take to ensure:

  • Individuals are not criminalized for pregnancy outcomes
  • Sensitive reproductive health data is protected from misuse

Section 6: LGBTQIA+ Rights

Maryland law protects access to gender-affirming care and shields providers and patients from out-of-state legal action.

  1. Healthcare Access
    What is your position on maintaining or expanding access to gender-affirming healthcare, including Medicaid coverage?
  2. Youth Protections
    How would you respond to legislation affecting transgender youth in schools and sports?
  3. Legal Protections
    What additional protections, if any, should Maryland adopt?

Section 7: Economic Justice

Maryland is addressing rising costs of living, childcare access, and economic instability.

Question:
What policies would you prioritize related to:

  • Affordable childcare access (including zoning and workforce issues)
  • Caregiver protections in the workplace
  • Addressing potential gaps in Medicaid and other safety-net programs

Section 8: Ending Violence Against Women

Question:
What legislative actions will you take to:

  • Strengthen domestic violence protections
  • Address coercive control, digital abuse, and stalking
  • Protect survivor privacy in legal proceedings

 Section 9: Racial Justice & Immigration

Maryland continues to debate policies related to immigration enforcement and systemic inequities.

Question:
What is your position on:

  • Local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
  • Addressing racial disparities in healthcare, housing, and economic opportunity

What measurable outcomes would you prioritize?

Section 10: Constitutional Equality

Question:
How will you ensure gender equity is actively applied in:

  • Legislative decision-making
  • Budget priorities
  • Oversight of state agencies

Provide a specific example.

Section 11: Emerging Issues

Question:
What is your position on the following:

  • Menstrual equity initiatives
  • Funding for women’s pre-release and reentry programs
  • Youth mental health funding

Section 12: Education & Youth

Question:
What policies will you support to address:

  • Student mental health
  • Equity in school funding
  • Protection of vulnerable student populations

Section 13: Leadership

Question:
What specific legislation would you introduce or support in during the next session to advance one or more of these core values?