How We Score

The Maryland League of Conservation Voters Scorecard is just one test of a legislator’s environmental record and reflects only one component of a legislator’s overall commitment. Factors such as leadership and vision, behind-the-scenes activity or inactivity, or political party pressure are not easily quantifiable on a chart.

Calculating Legislators' Scores

We calculate legislators' scores by dividing the number of pro-environment votes made by number of votes the legislator had the opportunity to cast.

• Unexcused absences and abstentions are included in the scoring .
• Excused absences and votes cast before or after a legislator came into office do not factor into the legislator’s score.
• Only votes where the roll was called are scored. Voice votes are not reflected in this report.
• Since many important decisions are made in legislative committees, Maryland LCV includes these votes in the scorecard. They count the same as floor votes.

Gubernatorial Report Cards

The Governor and his Administration have an enormous influence on the future of Maryland’s environment, natural resources, and public health. Through both words and actions, the Governor sets the tone and pace of environmental protection in the state.

Because Maryland voters count environmental issues as a top priority, the Gubernatorial report card takes a close look at the Governor and the actions of his administration—or lack of actions—to protect our air, water, and lands.

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