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Maryland · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

Local Board of Elections (county level - each of Maryland's 23 counties plus Baltimore City) / Maryland State Board of Elections (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Maryland resident, at least 18 years old by Election Day (may pre-register at 16 and vote at 17 in primary if will be 18 by general election), not under guardianship that removes the right to vote, not convicted of a felony under current Maryland law (see State Notes), and not claiming the right to vote elsewhere
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: voterservices.elections.maryland.gov - requires Maryland driver's license or state ID number; deadline typically 21 days before Election Day by 9:00 PM
  4. BY MAIL: Download Maryland voter registration form at elections.maryland.gov; complete, sign, and mail to your county Board of Elections - must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
  5. IN PERSON: Local Board of Elections office; MVA (Motor Vehicle Administration) license offices; many government agency offices; any public library; hospitals and nursing homes (for certain individuals); deadline 21 days before Election Day
  6. AUTOMATIC: Maryland offers automatic voter registration through the MVA when obtaining or renewing a driver's license or state ID; eligible applicants are automatically registered unless they opt out
  7. SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: Maryland offers same-day voter registration during the early voting period (7 days before through Saturday before Election Day); available at early voting centers
  8. Submit registration by the applicable deadline
  9. Receive voter registration notification from your local Board of Elections
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Maryland driver's license or state ID number (for online registration)
  • OR last 4 digits of Social Security number
  • Date of birth and current Maryland address
Fee
Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 21 days before Election Day (online by 9:00 PM; mail postmarked; or in-person at Board of Elections) SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: YES - available during early voting period (8 days before Election Day through Saturday before Election Day) at early voting centers; NOT available on Election Day itself (unlike some states) CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: voterservices.elections.maryland.gov EARLY VOTING: Maryland offers 8 days of early voting beginning 8 days before Election Day; no excuse required; contact your local Board of Elections for early voting center locations ABSENTEE BY MAIL: Any registered Maryland voter may request a mail ballot - no excuse required; apply online at elections.maryland.gov or contact your local Board of Elections ONLINE OPTION: Yes - voterservices.elections.maryland.gov WHERE TO GO: Local Board of Elections; MVA offices; public libraries; many government agencies; early voting centers (for same-day registration)
Online Option
Yes - voterservices.elections.maryland.gov
Where to Go
Local Board of Elections; MVA offices; public libraries; many government agencies; early voting centers (for same-day registration)
County-specific variations apply

Voter registration administered by Local Boards of Elections in each of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City. Moving between Maryland jurisdictions: update registration with your new county Board of Elections. Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City have multiple early voting centers. Contact your specific county Board of Elections for local early voting locations and hours.

Maryland Notes

Important state-specific details

  • SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: Available during the 8-day early voting period only (NOT on Election Day); must go to an early voting center.
  • AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION through MVA: Maryland automatically registers eligible residents through the MVA when applying for/renewing a driver's license or state ID.
  • FELONY CONVICTION: Maryland generally allows voting upon release from incarceration if sentence is completed; verify current law with Maryland State Board of Elections as rules have changed in recent years - contact elections.maryland.gov | (800) 222-8683.
  • No photo ID required to vote in Maryland in most circumstances.
  • CLOSED PRIMARY: Maryland conducts closed primaries - registered party members vote only in their party's primary; unaffiliated voters may not vote in partisan primaries.
  • 16-year-olds may pre-register; 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the general election may vote in the primary.
  • Polls open 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM; anyone in line at closing must be allowed to vote.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Maryland State Board of Elections - elections.maryland.gov | (800) 222-8683; voterservices.elections.maryland.gov; Local Board of Elections (varies by county)