Maryland General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:11 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:32 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Maryland offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Maryland by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Maryland allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Maryland offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Vote early from Oct 22 to Oct 29. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: request your mail ballot online by Oct 27.
- Visit the Maryland website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Maryland's website.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Maryland’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Maryland's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, Maryland offers early voting. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day.
- Learn more about voting early in Maryland.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. You may vote at any early voting center in your county. Check Maryland’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in Maryland before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you may need to show one of the following documents when you vote in person.
Acceptable forms include:
- Maryland driver's license
- State or Federal ID card
- US passport
- MVA ID card
- student, employee, or military ID
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, government document that shows your name and address when you registered (dated within three months of the election)
If you're a first time voter and unable to provide ID or your eligibility to vote can’t be determined when casting a ballot in person, you may be issued a provisional ballot. For your ballot to count, you must provide ID to your local board of elections before 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday after Election Day.
Watch this video about voting in person from the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Can I register to vote online?
- Maryland offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Maryland, you need the last four digits of your Social Security Number and either your Maryland driver's license, learner's permit, OR Maryland state ID number. If you have not been issued a Maryland ID number or Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Maryland offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 22 and Oct 29. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. You may vote at any early voting center in your county. Check Maryland's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in Maryland before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you may need to show one of the following documents when you vote in person.
Acceptable forms include:
- Maryland driver's license
- State or Federal ID card
- US passport
- MVA ID card
- student, employee, or military ID
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, government document that shows your name and address when you registered (dated within three months of the election)
If you're a first time voter and unable to provide ID or your eligibility to vote can’t be determined when casting a ballot in person, you may be issued a provisional ballot. For your ballot to count, you must provide ID to your local board of elections before 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday after Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Maryland voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Maryland, you must provide your current and valid Maryland driver's license, learner's permit, OR non-driver ID number, if you have one. Otherwise, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: If you want to participate in Maryland partisan primary elections, you should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address (dated within three months). More information about these requirements is available on the Maryland Board of Elections website.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application at least one week before the registration deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. It must be postmarked by Oct 13. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
In Maryland, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail.
How do I get my ballot?
You can use the online Mail-in Ballot Request portal to request your mail-in ballot if you have a Maryland driver's license or MVA-issued ID card. You can also request your mail-in ballot with a mail ballot application form. Your form can be submitted by mail, fax, or email, or you can deliver it in person to your local election office. Contact your local election office for more information.
If you have a Maryland driver’s license or MVA-issued ID card, then you are able to request a mail-in ballot be delivered to you via email.
- You will receive an email with a downloadable ballot that you can print at home.
- You can return your ballot by mail or in person by visiting your local election office, an early voting location, a polling place, or a drop box. You cannot submit your voted ballot online, by email, or fax.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
- You can also return your ballot in person by visiting your local election office, an early voting location, a polling place, or a drop box. Contact your local election office for more information and when and where to return your ballot.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your registration record with your new address.
Watch this video about voting by mail from the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes, you can register at your voting location on Election Day. If you moved, you can also update your information at the voting location assigned to your new address. Find where to vote in person on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You can also register to vote or update your information when casting a ballot in person on Election Day or during early voting.
- Learn more by visiting the Maryland State Board of Elections website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 22 - Oct 29
- In-person at voting location on Election Day : Nov 3
- Online : Oct 13 by 11:59 p.m. EDT
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 13 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
Mail-in ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 27 by 8:00 p.m. EDT
- Return ballot by mail (postmarked by) : Nov 3
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
If you've voted in Maryland before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you may need to show one of the following documents when you vote in person.
Acceptable forms include:
- Maryland driver's license
- State or Federal ID card
- US passport
- MVA ID card
- student, employee, or military ID
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, government document that shows your name and address when you registered (dated within three months of the election)
If you're a first time voter and unable to provide ID or your eligibility to vote can’t be determined when casting a ballot in person, you may be issued a provisional ballot. For your ballot to count, you must provide ID to your local board of elections before 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday after Election Day.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Maryland State Board of Elections website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Maryland you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a Maryland resident
- be at least 16 years old (you must be at least 18 years old on or before a general election to vote)
- not have been convicted of buying or selling votes
- not be currently serving a sentence of imprisonment for a felony conviction
- not be under guardianship for mental disability or if you are, you have not been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their mail-in ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing mail-in ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular mail-in ballot, you should complete and mail your mail-in ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Maryland. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Maryland's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Maryland, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The State Board of Elections oversees elections and election administration in Maryland. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.