Two nonprofit organizations whose work aims to boost voter turnout rejected Maryland’s attorney general’s claims that their campaign mailers were “intimidating” and “threatening” in a letter Friday.

To date, the Voter Information Center and Voter Participation Center have sent more than 3.5 million letters to Marylanders and more than 113 million nationwide, urging people to participate in this year’s elections. But the nonprofits have drawn the ire of residents across the country over what some beneficiaries called “vaguely threatening‘language in letters.

Tucked into the perforated edges of the mailer is a bold message that reads: “Remember, who you vote for is private, but whether or not you voted is a matter of public record.” » Below is a reminder that these nonprofits are monitoring: “We will review these records after the election to determine whether or not you voted with your neighbors. »

The letters also contain personal information such as names, addresses and whether people voted in an election dating back to 2016 — all public records. The candidates people voted for are not in public records.

On Thursday evening, state Attorney General Anthony G. Brown sent the nonprofits a cease-and-desist letter in which he ordered them to stop sending the letters or face legal action. These actions, Brown wrote, were an intimidation tactic intended to influence voting choice and methods in a way that violated federal and state election laws. Intimidation or coercion in any part of the voting process is illegal, according to the Voting Rights Act.

In the same letter, Brown also linked the nonprofits to text messages sent to people in other states that allegedly said, “We will share a report after the election of those who did not vote.” »

However, in a rebuttal letter to Brown Friday, the nonprofits said they were not involved in the text messages. They also called Brown’s message a violation of their efforts to boost voter turnout.

“It is neither ‘intimidating’ nor ‘threatening’ to promote voting by discussing neighborhood turnout rates and stating that records will be reviewed after the election to determine whether the recipient joined their neighbors in voting. vote,” wrote Scott E. Thomas, an attorney. which represents non-profit organizations.

The nonprofits said their work in Maryland this year is now complete.

“VPC and CVI are not currently planning additional mailings in Maryland this election cycle,” Thomas wrote. But, he noted, some are still in the Postal Service pipeline and headed to Maryland homes. “VPC and CVI will continue to encourage voting in a constitutionally protected and legal manner.”

The attorney general’s office acknowledged receipt of the response Friday and said in a statement that it was “satisfied that the organization will not improperly contact voters after this election to report on their or their loved ones’ voting records.” neighbors “. The office said it would take no further legal action.

Tom Lopach, president and CEO of the nonprofit, previously told The Baltimore Banner that the companies would only use the information to identify people to send additional letters to in future election cycles. The groups sent low- to mid-propensity voters four to seven mailers before they finally cast their ballots, he said.

This is a recent story and may be updated.