ANNAPOLIS -- The Maryland Senate slammed the door on a bill Friday that would have allowed political candidates access to private communities and apartment complexes. Sen. Alex Mooney, a Republican who represents portions of Frederick and Washington counties, introduced the measure after noticing more and more homeowners associations and condominium boards were turning away political candidates.
"Free speech is not an easy thing, but it's a basic right in our country," Mooney said.
Individual residents would still be able to deny access to their houses, but the community wouldn't be able to set a blanket prohibition on campaigning. The measure, which failed 21-26, would have allowed associations and boards to set reasonable restrictions, such as disallowing campaigning at late hours. Mooney said the proposal would have benefited first-time candidates and challengers, not incumbents like him who are already known and invited to community events and included in newspaper articles.
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