By: Dylan Jaffe, Jackson Hawkins and Viviane Stackhouse
Capital News Service
As Maryland voters get ready to head to the polls on Nov. 5, Capital News Service is here to provide answers about how, when and where to vote.
When is the deadline to register to vote in Maryland?
Oct. 15 is the deadline to register to vote, update registration or change party affiliation by mail or online before the general election. Maryland residents can also register to vote in person at the polls when you vote.
Can I register to vote on election day?
Yes. In Maryland, you can register to vote during early voting or on election day at the polls.
When does early voting begin in Maryland?
Early voting begins Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and ends Oct. 31. Residents can vote in any early voting center in the county where they live. Maryland has 97 early voting centers and many counties have multiple early voting locations. You can find more information about early voting centers here.
What should I bring if I am voting in person? What should I not bring?
You can bring any printed material including your marked specimen ballot to assist you in voting. If you are a first time voter, you may be asked to show a form of identification before voting. You can show an election judge one of the following forms of ID:
– A valid Maryland driver’s license, U.S passport, or any other state or federal government- issued ID such as an MVA ID card or a student, employee or military ID card.
– A copy of a current government document that shows your name and address such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that is dated within 3 months of the election.
If you choose to wear clothing, buttons or stickers with political messages, you must leave the early voting center or polling place immediately after voting. Additionally, using your cell phone, pager, camera, and computer equipment is not allowed at these locations.
When can I vote?
Early voting for Maryland residents begins Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and ends Oct. 31.
If you want to receive your ballot by mail or fax, your request must be received by Tuesday, Oct. 29. If you want your ballot via email, you have until November 1 to request it. Mail-in ballots must be turned in by Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. either by mail, to an approved voter drop box near you or by hand-delivering it to the board of elections.
If you are not participating in early or mail-in voting, you may vote in-person on the general election day, Nov. 5 from 7 a.m to 8 p.m.
Where can I vote in person?
Every voter in Maryland has an assigned voting location where they can vote on election day. Click here to look up your voting location.
If you are participating in early voting, you can vote in-person at one of your county’s early voting centers. You can find more information about early voting centers here.
What is the accessibility for voters with disabilities?
There are numerous ways for voters with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to cast their vote. Check out the resources here if you or someone you know many need assistance.
How do I vote by mail?
Once you have registered to vote, anyone may choose to vote by using a mail-in ballot. To request a mail-in ballot, you may complete this online form. You can also complete this form and return it to your local board of elections by mail, fax or email. Oct. 29 is the last day to request a mail-in ballot to be delivered by mail or fax, while Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. is the last day to request a mail-in ballot by email. Mail-in ballots must be turned in by Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. either by mail, to an an approved voter drop box near you or by hand-delivering it to the board of elections.
How do I register to vote online?
To register to vote online, you must use Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR). This website will walk you through how to register.
Am I voting for my representative in Congress this election?
Yes, all eight congressional districts in the state of Maryland will be voting for a congressional representative in this election. Look here to find out your district and congressional candidates.
Who is running in the Maryland Senate race?
The Democratic candidate is Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the Republican candidate is former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, and the Libertarian candidate is Mike Scott. Follow the Capital News Service coverage to learn more and stay up to date.
What will my ballot look like?
Each county has a different ballot. This is due to local elections and varying open seats/candidates. The Senate race is state-wide, so it will appear on every ballot, as well as Question 1 regarding abortion rights. Every ballot in Maryland will include a vote for House representatives, but candidates will be different depending on your congressional district. Three Maryland Supreme Court justices and six intermediate appellate court judges are up for retention election. Several counties will be holding school board elections and Baltimore’s ballot will include municipal government elections for mayor, comptroller, city council and circuit court judges. You can download a sample of your county’s ballot here: https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/index.html#gballots
What is Question 1? Will there be other voter referendums on the ballot?
Question 1 asks voters to vote “yes” or “no” to the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment, which would establish reproductive freedom as a constitutional right in the state of Maryland. Question 1 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, which means the Maryland Senate and Maryland House of Representatives have voted to put this question on the ballot. There will be no other voter referendums on your ballot.
What are issues that voters are prioritizing in their decision?
According to the Pew Research Center, the economy, health care, Supreme Court appointments, foreign policy, violent crimes, immigration, gun policy, abortion, racial and ethnic inequality, and climate change are among the most important issues for voters this year. The majority of voters in this study said that at least five of those issues are “very important” to their vote. The economy is the most important issue among all registered voters. Check out the Pew study for more information.
Are there school board elections this year?
Yes, in many counties voters will be electing new representatives to the Board of Education. Next month, the Local News Network will be releasing a comprehensive voter guide for Board of Elections candidates.
Where can I find more information about local races?
For information regarding local elections, check out the Maryland Board of Elections website. Also, stay tuned for more content from Capital News Service and follow us on social media.
