Maryland
Welcome to the Maryland state page! Here, Maryland organizers can access and document ongoing projects, current leadership positions, upcoming races, and other important information. This list is non-exhaustive, and state teams are encouraged to expand and adapt these pages to their organizing needs.
To be eligible in the state of Maryland you must be:
- A US citizen
- A Maryland resident
- At least 16 years old (you can register at 16, but generally, you're not able to vote unless you'll be 18 by the next General Election)
- Not have been found by a court to be incapable of voting by reason of mental disability
- Not have been convicted of buying or selling votes
- Not have been convicted of a felony, or if you have, you have completed serving a court ordered sentence of imprisonment.
Youth Vote
In Maryland, cities can choose to lower the voting age at the local level through a city council vote. So far, the following municipalities have lowed their voting age to 16 for all local elections: Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, Riverdale Park, and Takoma Park. This means that every resident of these municipalities who will be 16 years of age or older on Election Day is eligible to register and vote in local elections. You must be 18 by Election Day to vote in state or federal elections.
Incarcerated Voters & Returning Citizens:
In Maryland, you only lose your right to vote if you are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. If you lost your voting rights because of a conviction, you could register to vote immediately after release. Your voting rights are not restricted by pretrial detention, misdemeanors, probation, or parole.
Voters without traditional residence:
It is not mandatory for citizens to possess a "permanent home" for voter registration. A citizen can provide an alternative description of their residence, even if they are experiencing homelessness, as long as it enables the authorities to identify and assign a voting precinct to them. This precinct assignment ensures that the voter receives the appropriate ballot. The mailing address on their registration form can be a PO box, local shelter, advocacy organization, outreach center, or the home of someone who will accept mail for them.
ID Requirements
When registering to vote, you will need to provide either your current, valid state driver's license or MVA ID card number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your voter registration form.
When it is time to vote, for first time voters will be
- A current and valid photo ID such as a Maryland driver's license, MVA ID card, student, employee, or military ID card, U.S. passport, or any other State or federal government-issued ID card.
- A current document that shows your name and address
- Such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or any other official document.
- The document must be dated within three months of the election to be considered current.
Absentee Ballot Process
Mail-in voting is available and no excuse is required. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is 14 days before the election. You can return your mail-in ballot request form through mail, in person at your local elections office, or online. Voted ballots must be received or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. You can sign up to track your mail-in ballot on your Board of Elections website.
Those who requested a mail-in ballot but end up voting in person will have to vote a provisional ballot. If you have not already voted, election officials will count that ballot as your vote. Do not mail a ballot and vote in person. For specifics, you can find your local county clerk contact info here.
Voters who submitted a request for a mail ballot at least 60 days prior to an election will receive their mail ballots 43 days prior to the election. For those who applied for a mail ballot within 60 days of the election, their ballot will be dispatched as soon as the request is received.
Cure Process for Mail-In Ballots:
Effective 10/1/2023
If your mail-in ballot is rejected due to a missing signature, your local board of elections is required to notify you as soon as possible, but not later than three business days after discovering the omission. The deadline to provide your missing signature is by 10 am on the 10th day after Election Day. You can sign up to track your mail-in ballot on your Board of Elections website.
You can provide the missing signature by
- Sending a digital picture message via email or phone to your local board of elections office or
- Utilizing various communication options, including email, an accessible online portal, a mailed form, or an in-person visit to your local elections office.
Early Voting
You can vote in an early voting center in the county where you live. Please be sure to check with your local Board of Elections or the State Board of Elections to ensure you know your correct voting locations.
Note: If you are eligible but not yet registered to vote, you can register and vote during early voting. Go to an early voting center in the county where you live and bring a document that proves where you live.