Maryland

Land Acknowledgement

Maryland is home to The Piscataway Indian Nation and Piscataway Conoy Tribe. It is also the traditional home of many tribes.

Overview

You can register to vote by mail, online, or in person. The deadline to register to vote is October 18. However, you can continue to register in person on Election Day. You do not need an ID to vote unless you are a first time voter who registered by mail and did not provide a copy of your ID.

Key Dates

October 18 – Voter registration deadline

October 27 – Early voting begins

November 1 – Deadline to request a mail or fax ballot

November 2 – Deadline to request an internet ballot

November 3 – Early voting ends

November 8 – Election Day

Contacts

Maryland Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

  • The deadline to register to vote is October 18. However, you may still register in person on Election Day.

  • No.

  • You must provide either a Maryland driver's license number or State ID card. If you do not have a driver's license or State ID, you can provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

  • Maryland requires a residence address.

  • Contact your county Board of Elections office.

  • You can get a driver's license or State ID from the Maryland Department of Transportation.

  • Yes. If you have a Maryland driver's license or State ID, you can register to vote online.

  • No.

  • Yes. You may register to vote at your county Board of Elections office, Department of Health and Human Services offices, Motor Vehicle Administration offices, or any armed forces recruitment office. Find county Board of Elections office information here.

  • Yes. You can mail your registration to either your county Elections office or the State Election office. Find county office contact information here. Find state office contact information here.

  • Yes. You may register to vote if you have completed your sentence of imprisonment. However, you are not eligible to vote if you have been convicted of buying or selling votes.

  • Contact your county Board of Elections office. Find contact information here.

  • The deadline to register to vote is October 18. However, voters may still register in person on Election Day.

  • Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

  • Anyone may request an absentee ballot in Maryland. Your absentee ballot can be sent to you by mail, by fax, or via the internet. All absentee ballots must be postmarked by 8PM on Election Day.

  • Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.

  • If you have a Maryland driver's license or State ID, you may request one online. If you do not have a Maryland ID, you can print out the absentee ballot request form and mail it to your county Board of Elections office. Find the absentee request form and Board of Elections mailing addresses online here. You can also request a ballot in person at your county Board of Elections office.

  • No.

  • Yes.

  • If you would like to receive a ballot by mail or fax, your request must be received by November 1. If you would like to receive your ballot via the internet, your request must be received by November 4. Ballots received via the internet must still be returned by hand, by mail, or dropped at a ballot drop box. If you request a ballot via the internet, Maryland will provide you with instructions on how to download your ballot from the state election website.

  • Ballots will be mailed and posted online about 3 weeks before the election.

  • Your absentee ballot can be mailed to either your address of registration or any alternative address you provide on your absentee ballot request.

  • No.

  • Ballots must be postmarked by November 8.

  • Yes. You can return your ballot to your county Board of Elections office any time before 8PM on Election Day. Find contact information here.

  • Yes. You may designate an agent to both pick up and deliver your absentee ballot. This person must be 18 years old and not a candidate on your ballot. Complete this form and return it to your county Board of Elections office to designate an agent.

  • No.

  • No.

  • Maybe. Maryland does not have a standard policy for handling ballot issues. If you have specific concerns, contact your county Board of Elections office.

  • Track your absentee ballot here.

  • Contact your county Board of Elections office.

Voting In-Person

  • Find your polling location and hours here.

  • No.

  • Yes. Early voting is available from 7AM to 8PM October 27 to November 3. Find a list of early voting centers here.

  • No. However, if you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of your ID you will need to provide identification.

  • You can get a driver's license or State ID from the Maryland Department of Transportation. Find information here.

  • Yes. If your eligibility to vote is questioned you may be asked to vote a provisional ballot. You can track the status of your provisional ballot here.

  • Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.

  • Contact your county Board of Elections office. Find contact information here.