How to register to vote in Maryland’s 2026 election

With Election Day a month away, there’s plenty of time to make sure you can participate.

This year is a gubernatorial election. Voters will decide who will represent them in the U.S. House, the Maryland State House, the General Assembly and a slew of local races. And the outcome of one statewide ballot question could determine whether lawmakers will have an easier time gerrymandering congressional districts.

There are many ways to have your say on or before Nov. 3.

But first you need to register. Here’s how.

Am I eligible to vote?

You can register to vote in Maryland if you check all three of these boxes:

• A U.S. citizen
• A Maryland resident
• At least 16 (but you can’t cast a ballot until you’re 18)

Check your registration status

If you’re not sure whether you’re registered to vote, look yourself up online or call your local elections board.

Consider the Maryland State Board of Elections website and local board, one in every county and Baltimore, as hubs of election information.

Need to register? Here’s how.

There are a few ways to sign up and a few dates to keep in mind.

You can register online or mail in an application by Oct. 13. The envelope must be postmarked by Oct. 13 or dropped off in person by that day at your local board.

You can also walk into a local board, and someone there will hook you up.

It’s possible to register at polling stations during early voting, Oct. 22-29, and on Election Day, Nov. 3. Bring your Maryland driver’s license, a pay stub, utility bill or another government-issued document that proves where you live.

Here’s a list of polling locations.

Where else can I register in person?

There’s no shortage of locations where you can register.

Satellite offices of several state agencies are ready to help enfranchise voters, according to the state board’s website. Local elections boards, health departments and social services offices are ready. So are the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration offices and Department of Aging.

You can also register at all public colleges and universities and military recruitment offices.

Still registered in another state?

That’s most likely a simple fix.

The voter registration process, whether you go online or use the paper application, has places to update your address.

Just make the update before Oct. 13.

What if I have a felony conviction?

If you have completed your court-ordered sentence for that conviction, you can register to vote in Maryland.

Many ways to vote

Maryland voters have three ways to cast a ballot.

You can vote by mail. Marylanders can also cast a ballot at early in-person voting centers from Oct. 22-29 and in person on Election Day at their assigned polling places on Nov. 3.

Happy voting!