Maryland’s primary election is three weeks away, early voting starts even sooner, and mail-in ballots have already begun arriving in voters’ mailboxes.
As the state prepares for another election, there are important dates and other information to know.
Dates and deadlines
- May 2 to May 9: Early Voting Period; voting centers will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (including Saturday and Sunday)
- May 7: Mail-In Ballot Request Deadline – for ballots received by mail or fax (Your request must be received – not just sent – by this date.)
- May 10: Mail-In Ballot Request Deadline – for ballots received by internet (If you are sending your request via mail, it must be received by 5 p.m. May 10. If you are sending your request by fax or submitting it online, it must be received by 11:59 p.m. May 10.)
- May 14: Primary Election Day; polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (If you are in line by 8 p.m., you can still vote.)
Other important information
Voter Registration: Verify that you are registered to vote here. If you are not yet registered or you need to update your voter registration, you can do so here. You can also register to vote at an early voting center during the early voting period, or at your assigned polling location. If registering in person, be sure to bring necessary documents.
Early Voting: Find an early voting center in your county here.
Polling Location: If you plan on voting in person on Election Day, make sure you know your polling location. Search for where to cast your ballot here.
Mail-In Ballot Drop-Off Boxes: If you are voting by mail, you can mail in your ballot by May 14 or place it in any of Maryland’s designated ballot drop-off boxes by 8 p.m. on Election Day (May 14). Find a nearby drop-off box here. You can also deliver your ballot to your local board of elections by 8 pm on Election Day or take it to an early voting center.
More resources
For Baltimore City voters still deciding whom to vote for in the mayoral election, Baltimore Fishbowl has been conducting interviews with the Democratic candidates. Read what candidates had to say about jobs and the economy; graffiti, dumping and cleanliness; recycling, trash collection, and public works; vacant properties; the environment; the arts; and bicycle transportation.
A debate took place April 17 among the four leading Democratic mayoral candidates: current Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, former mayor Sheila Dixon, former Deputy Attorney General of Maryland Thiru Vignarajah, and businessman Bob Wallace. That debate as presented by WBAL-TV, Very Local, WBAL Radio, and Maryland Public Television.
The next Democratic mayoral debate will be April 30 at the University of Baltimore’s Schaefer Center for Public Policy. It will feature those same four candidates, and it will be hosted by WJZ-TV, WYPR Radio, and The Baltimore Banner.
