New polling shows a majority of Maryland voters favor legislation reducing barriers for people with non-violent conviction records to land work, get safe housing, and become self-sufficient. The poll, conducted by Gonzales Research Media Services in January 2026, shows 59% support the Maryl and Clean Slate Act (HB 360/SB483), 29% oppose the act, and 12% offered no opinion. The legislation aims to automate the sealing process, shielding eligible records from appearing in background checks used by employers, landlords, and others. There are 13 other states (and Washington, D.C.) with similar “Clean Slate” laws, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. Screenshot from January 2026 Gonzales poll results. Currently, when enough time has passed for a record to be cleared, the person convicted must initiate a lengthy and cumbersome process. This involves knowing the process, filing a petition with a court, attending proceedings, hiring an attorney, navigating the legal and bureaucratic processes, and making sure the appropriate agencies have updated their records to reflect the court’s orders. Under the Clean Slate Act, the entire process would be automated. Misdemeanor records would no longer appear on background checks after seven years, and non-conviction and arrest records would be sealed after three years. Courts and law enforcement would still have access to the sealed records. The poll’s results showed Democrats and Independents overwhelmingly favor automatic record sealing (70% and 59%, respectively). Though not in the majority for their party, a significant portion of Republicans expressed support for the legislation (37%). Only 17% of Democrats and 30% of Independents opposed the legislation. Photo by Matthew Henry via negativespace.co. There was not a significant difference in support between genders, with women favoring the act slightly more than men (62% and 56%, respectively). Along racial lines, Black voters in Maryland showed strongest support for the act, with 73% in favor and 17% opposed. Misdemeanor records have a disproportionate impact on employment and housing opportunities in Black communities. This is especially true in Baltimore City, where the police department was so discriminatory towards Black citizens that the city was placed under a Consent Decree by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to undergo reform. “These results make clear that a strong majority of Marylanders support streamlining the process for people who have already earned the right to seal their records,” said Meredith Girard, executive director of Shore Legal Access and a leader of the Clean Slate Maryland campaign, in a statement. “Hundreds of thousands of people in Maryland are currently eligible to have all or part of their record sealed. However, most don’t pursue it because the process is costly, confusing, and overly bureaucratic. Under this proposal, an estimated 407,000 adults with a record would have their records shielded through an automated process.” Under House Bill 360 and Senate Bill 483, a streamlined, automated process would include eligibility criteria for each person and set timelines for when their records will be sealed. They would not have to navigate the current petition-based system at all. “Every year, thousands of Marylanders are released from the criminal justice system and often struggle to secure a job, find a place to live, and reenter society,” said Zach Alberts, director of advocacy and strategic initiatives for the Center for Urban Families, in a statement. “Having a criminal record hurts people’s chances to get access to education, housing, and employment opportunities. The Clean Slate Act would allow people to fully reintegrate into society without their past mistakes standing in their way.” Photo via LinkedIn. About one million adults in Maryland (22% of the state’s adult population) has an arrest or conviction record. That’s close to one in four Maryland adults whose lives would be improved because they have a better chance to get a job and good housing to make a fresh start. This leads to increased community safety, opportunities, and stability. “Too many people who are eligible to have their charges expunged never ask to do so, because they are either unaware that they’re eligible or they’re unable to navigate the process,” said Dwan Burton, deputy director of Out For Justice, in a statement. “The Clean Slate Act would help people by automating the process to shield certain offenses after an appropriate period of time. After making a mistake, everyone needs an opportunity to earn a second chance to make a good life and reintegrate into society.” The bill enjoys bipartisan support in the General Assembly. It is sponsored by Maryland House Majority Leader Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery) and Sen. Mike McKay (R-Western Maryland). “These poll results show that Maryland voters are aligned with the momentum building for second chances across the country,” said Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, in a statement. “The Maryland Clean Slate Act reflects the values voters across the political spectrum have made clear: once someone has earned a second chance, the system shouldn’t stand in their way. Thirteen states, and Washington D.C., have recognized that automated record sealing is a common-sense solution to strengthen families, expand the workforce, and improve public safety — and Maryland should be on that list, too.” ...read more read less