En español | Maryland’s July 19 primary will determine which candidates appear on November’s general election ballot for governor, U.S. House and Senate, and state legislature, among other races.

What’s new this year? 

A new redistricting plan has changed certain boundaries of state legislative and U.S. congressional districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot. Redistricting also may affect polling place locations for some voters. Call your local board of elections or visit the state board of elections website for more information.

Note that the primary date has been moved from June 28 to July 19. 

Essential info:

• Mail-in voting: All registered voters can request a no-excuse mail-in ballot and vote from home in July’s primary and November’s general election. 
  
• Early in-person voting: You can vote early and in person at an early voting center in your county.
  
• In-person voting on Election Day: The state’s primary election is Tuesday, July 19; the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

How do I register to vote?

• Online: Use the state’s voter registration portal to register, change your party affiliation or check your registration status. You’ll need a valid state-issued ID or driver’s license — unless you’re a member of the military or a member’s spouse or dependent, in which case you can provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. Register online by 11:59 p.m. June 28 for the primary and by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 18 for the general election.
   
  
• By mail: Print out a voter registration form, complete it and mail it to your local board of elections. You can also call your local board or the state board of elections and request an application be mailed to you. You’ll need a Maryland driver’s license, state-issued ID or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Applications must be postmarked by June 28 for the primary and by Oct. 18 for the general election.

• In person: Go to your local board of elections, the state board of elections or your local Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration office. You can also register at your local Area Agency on Aging office or at several other locations listed on the state board of elections website. The deadline is 5 p.m. June 28 for the primary and 5 p.m. Oct. 18 for the general election.
  

If you miss the deadline, you still can register at an early voting center in your county or at your polling place on Election Day. You’ll need to bring a driver’s license, state-issued ID card or paycheck, bank statement or other document that confirms your name and address. State officials still encourage voters to meet the registration deadline to save time at the polls.

Check if you’re registered to vote through the state’s voter information portal.

Does my party affiliation matter when I vote in the primary?

Yes. Only people who are registered with a particular party can participate in their party’s respective primary. Unaffiliated voters cannot participate, though they can vote for candidates for nonpartisan offices like school board races.

How can I get a mail-in ballot? Are there important deadlines?

Any registered voter can request a no-excuse mail-in ballot and vote from home in July's primary and in November’s general election. Apply for a mail-in ballot online, by mail or in person: 

• Online: Use the state’s voter services portal to complete an application. Or email or fax a signed and completed application to your local board of elections. The deadline to request a ballot online is 11:59 p.m. on July 12 for the primary and 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 1 for the general election.

• By mail: Download, print and complete a ballot application and mail it to your local board of elections. Or contact your local board to request an application by mail. The application request must be received by 8 p.m. July 12 for the primary and by 8 p.m. Nov. 1 for the general election.

• In person: Visit your local board of elections to pick up and complete an application or return a ballot application you downloaded at home. If ballots are available at that time, you can take one with you. You can request a ballot in person up to and including Election Day.

You also may go online or send a request through the mail to receive an emailed ballot that you may then print, complete and mail or hand-deliver. Your request for an emailed ballot must be received by July 15 for the primary and Nov. 4 for the general election.

You can designate an agent to deliver your ballot application, pick up your ballot and bring it to you. You and the person you choose must complete a mail-in ballot agent form and take it to your local board of elections.

Return completed ballots by mail or in person, including those received via email.

• By mail: Send your completed ballot to your local board of elections. Prepaid postage is provided. Ballots must be postmarked by July 19 for the primary and by Nov. 8 for the general.

• In person: Drop off your completed ballot at your local board of elections, at any early voting center or at an official ballot drop box. Ballots returned in person must be delivered by 8 p.m. Election Day.

Use the state’s voter services portal to track the status of your ballot.

Can I vote in person before Election Day?

Yes, you can vote early and in person at an early voting center from July 7 through July 14 for the primary and Oct. 27 through Nov. 3 for the general election. You can also register to vote at early voting centers if you missed the initial registration deadline. Centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Locations are available at the state board of elections website.

When is Election Day? When are polls open?

The primary election is Tuesday, July 19, and the general election is Tuesday, Nov 8. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You will still be able to cast a ballot after 8 p.m. as long as you were in line before the polls closed. Use the state's voter information portal to find a polling place near you.

All voting locations have special equipment to assist the visually or physically impaired. The state board of elections website has more information about resources available to people with disabilities.

Do I need identification to vote?

Some first-time voters may be asked to show a valid photo ID, like a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, student ID or U.S. passport. A full list of acceptable documents is listed on the state board of elections website.

If you’re registering to vote at an early voting center or on Election Day, bring a state ID, driver’s license or paycheck, utility bill, bank statement or other acceptable document that verifies your name and address.

What races are on the ballot?

• Governor: Gov. Larry Hogan is term-limited and cannot seek reelection
• U.S. Senate: seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen
• U.S. House: all eight seats
• State Senate: all 47 seats
• State House: all 141 seats
• Maryland Court of Appeals

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on May 27 with new information about voting in the primary election. The guide was first published on Aug. 12, 2020.

Also of Interest

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections  
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at states.aarp.org/maryland