Maryland Voting Guide

Whether you’re a first-time voter or have cast your ballot in dozens of elections, it’s important that you know your state’s voting laws. From knowing how to register to vote to understanding your voting rights, it’s crucial that you be aware of the voting process in Maryland.

This article addresses common questions about Maryland’s election laws, voter registration, voter eligibility, and registration deadlines. We will also discuss Maryland’s laws regarding mail-in and in-person voting, special accommodations for disabled Maryland voters, and what to do if you see illegal activity at the polls.

The democratic process can be confusing, and the rules vary by state. Whether you’re a Democrat, a Republican, or neither, you have certain civil rights, and both federal and state laws protect them. If you believe someone has violated these rights or you have questions about voting in Maryland, contact a local civil rights attorney.

In the meantime, let’s start with who can register to vote in Maryland.

Who Is Eligible To Vote in Maryland?

To be eligible to vote in Maryland, you must be a U.S. citizen residing in Maryland and at least 18 years old on Election Day. You must also meet the following requirements to participate in general elections in the State of Maryland:

• You must be registered to vote
• You must not be declared incompetent by the courts
• You cannot be serving a sentence for a felony conviction
• You cannot have a prior conviction for voter fraud
• You must have a residential address within the State of Maryland

As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you can participate in the voting process. As of 2026, Maryland law allows you to register to vote on the same day as the election.

Can People With Past Felony Convictions Vote in the State of Maryland?

Every state has its own laws regarding the voting rights of people with felony convictions. In some states, you cannot vote at all if you have prior felony convictions. In others, the elections office will not restore your voting rights until you complete your probation or parole.

Under Maryland law, you can vote once you are released from prison. This includes while you’re on probation as well. However, if you have ever been convicted of buying or selling votes, you cannot vote. A person guilty of voter fraud loses their right to vote indefinitely.

Where Do I Vote?

It’s important that you know your assigned polling location before Election Day. If you don’t go to the correct polling place, you will have difficulty voting.

If you aren’t sure of your voting location, you can look it up online. Maryland polling places are open statewide between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

If you have trouble registering to vote, you should contact your local Election Office.

Special Conditions for Registering To Vote in Maryland

Some groups, such as college students, encounter unique challenges when registering to vote. Special voting rules exist to help ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to have their voices heard.

Some of the unique requirements for registering to vote in Maryland include:

• Students: You can register to vote in Maryland if you consider Maryland your permanent home, as opposed to a place where you are temporarily living. This includes if you use your Maryland address on your tax returns, government documents, driver’s licenses, bank accounts, etc. The Maryland State Board of Elections advises that if you receive financial aid from another state, you confirm that changing your state of residency won’t impact your eligibility for financial aid. Check with the appropriate funding authority. If you have concerns, it may be best to request an absentee ballot from your home state instead.
• Military and overseas voters: If you are in the military or are overseas at the time of the elections, you can request an absentee ballot using the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). Make sure you submit your ballot in time ot be counted.
• Survivors of domestic violence: Maryland participates in the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program. This protects victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, minor children at risk of violence, and guardians of disabled people who may be at risk of violence. This program provides survivors with an alternate address and phone number to give to election officials, keeping their real address and phone number hidden. 
• Homeless or impermanent voters: You can register to vote even if you don’t have a home address. However, you will need proof that you live and receive mail in the State of Maryland.
• Incarcerated voters: If you are in jail for a misdemeanor, you can vote using an absentee ballot. If you committed a felony, you cannot vote until you complete your sentence. The state will automatically reinstate your voting rights, but you must re-register.

To confirm your voter registration status, use the Maryland Voter Lookup.

Maryland’s Voter Registration Deadline

The local Board of Elections must receive your voter registration application at least 21 days before the election. Once the Board reviews your application, it will mail you a voter notification card.

Early Voting in Maryland

In 2007, the Maryland General Assembly approved a constitutional amendment authorizing citizens to vote before Election Day. Early voting started with the 2010 elections. In 2013, the state passed additional legislation that increased the number of early voting centers and extended the early voting period.

Registered voters can participate in early voting the same as they would on Election Day. Citizens eligible to vote but who have not registered can go to an early voting center in their county. Be sure to bring documentation proving your address.

What Forms of ID Are Acceptable for Early Voting?

If you wish to participate in early voting but are not registered to vote, you must provide proof of residence. You can do this by submitting documentation that shows your current address.

Examples of acceptable forms of documentation include:

• MVA-issued Maryland driver’s license
• ID card
• Change of address card
• Paycheck
• Bank statement
• Utility bill
• Other government document

See the State Board of Elections website for specific early voting dates for the next election.

How Can I Vote by Mail in Maryland?

Registered voters can now cast an absentee ballot, also known as a mail-in ballot. If you wish to vote by mail, request a mail-in ballot online and mail it to your local board of elections. You can also visit your local board of elections to complete the form in person. 

Election officials can mail or fax your ballot to you. You can also download it online or have someone pick it up for you. The government posts ballots to its website three weeks before the election.

You may hand-deliver your ballot to your local board of elections before 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day. The local Board of Elections must receive it no later than 10 days after Election Day. You can also deposit your mail-in ballot in any drop box.

Maryland’s Voter ID Laws

You will only need to present identification at the polls if you are a first-time voter and did not provide an ID when you registered.

The following are valid forms of ID in Maryland:

• A current Maryland driver’s license
• A current ID card issued by the MVA
• A student or employee ID
• A military ID card
• A U.S. Passport
• Any other State or federal government ID card
• A copy of a current utility bill or bank statement
• A government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address

If you do not have the necessary documents proving where you live, you will receive a provisional ballot. As long as you provide valid identification before 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday after Election Day, election officials will count your provisional ballot.

What Special Accommodations Are Available to Voters?

Most Maryland voting centers are handicapped-accessible. The Maryland Board of Elections offers a polling place lookup page that can help confirm whether your polling place will be accessible. If it isn’t, you can vote at any early voting center.

If you want to vote at a different polling place on Election Day, you must submit a Request for Polling Place Change or Absentee Ballot and send it to your Board of Elections. Your local election officials will either find an accessible location or send you an absentee ballot.

If you have a disability and encounter difficulty marking your ballot, the state of Maryland offers an online tool to assist you. To use it, you must request a mail-in ballot. There will be an option on the form for voters to request that their ballot be printed from the election board’s website.

You can also ask someone to help you vote, including election judges. The only people you cannot ask to help you are your employer, union representatives, and polling place watchers.

What if I See Something Illegal at the Polls?

If you have a complaint about voter registration, how poll workers treated you, or other problems you experienced on Election Day, bring your complaint immediately to the attention of the polling place officials. Do not try to confront the offenders yourself.

You can also file a complaint with the State Board, which has an administrative complaint procedure. To file a complaint, submit a completed administrative complaint form. You can also report voting law violations to the U.S. Department of Justice.

When you are at the polling place, keep your eyes and ears open for any illegal behavior. This could involve anything from voter fraud to harassment. If you witness or experience anyone engaging in illegal activity at the polling location, report it immediately.

Common examples of suspicious or illegal behavior include:

• Harassment inside and outside the polling place
• Pressuring citizens to vote a certain way
• Physical violence
• Poll workers casting a ballot on behalf of a citizen
• Physical barricades to voting
• Denial of accommodations to voters with a disability

If you see or experience any of this, alert a poll worker or election official. If someone interferes with your right to vote, consider talking to a Maryland civil rights lawyer.

A Maryland Civil Rights Lawyer Can Help

Lawmakers in Maryland have passed specific laws regarding the voting process. These laws are meant to protect your rights and the integrity of the election process. Contact a voting rights attorney if you have questions about Maryland’s voting laws or think someone has violated your civil rights.