WBAL-TV 11 and WBALTV.com are committed to comprehensive coverage of the 2024 election in Maryland. As part of this year’s coverage, WBALTV.com presents a special “Get the Facts” series, Securing the Election. (Get the Facts video above: Securing Maryland’s election process)FAQ: What to bring/what you can’t bring to the polling placeBALLOTS: Request an mail-in ballotREGISTER: Check to see if you’re registered to vote | REGISTER TO VOTE HEREWHERE TO VOTE: Find your polling placeElection 2024 is a presidential election year. Additionally, Marylanders will vote for one U.S. senator and all U.S. House seats, in addition to local offices in some jurisdictions.*** This voter’s guide will be updated soon with the list of candidates and candidate profiles in select races.PresidentU.S. senator (1 open seat)U.S. House members (all 8 seats, including 3 open seats)In Baltimore, city voters will cast ballots for mayor, City Council president, members of the City Council, and comptroller.In Baltimore:MayorCity Council presidentCity Council membersComptroller Reminder: Maryland is a closed Primary Election state, which means voters can only cast ballots in their registered party’s Primary Election.Democratic and Republican parties hold primary elections to choose candidates for the general election. Voters registered with either the Democratic or Republican parties can vote in their party’s primary election.Any voter can cast ballots for non-partisan offices in a primary election, like members of boards of education.Yes, you can change your party affiliation (by April 23). See how to make changes and\or register below.2024 Maryland Primary Election — key dates\deadlinesApril 23 (5 p.m. in office\11:59 p.m. online) — Deadline to register to vote and update registration information, including party affiliation.May 2 — Early voting begins (see below).May 7 (8 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email) — Deadline for a registered voter to request a mailed or faxed mail-in ballot.May 9 — Early voting ends.May 10 (5 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email) — Deadline for a registered voter to request an electronic mail-in ballot.May 14 — Primary Election Day, mail-in ballot return deadline (in a ballot box, at a polling place or at a local board of elections office), and deadline to register in person.May 24 — Deadline for the local board of elections to receive mail-in ballots by mail. 2024 Maryland General Election — key dates\deadlinesOct. 15 (5 p.m. in office\11:59 p.m. online) — Deadline to register to vote and update registration information, including party affiliation.Oct. 24 — Early voting begins (see below).Oct. 29 (8 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email) — Deadline for a registered voter to request a mailed or faxed mail-in ballot.Oct. 31 — Early voting ends.Nov. 1 (5 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email) — Deadline for a registered voter to request an electronic mail-in ballot.Nov. 5 — General Election Day, mail-in ballot return deadline (in a ballot box, at a polling place or at a local board of elections office), and deadline to register in person.Nov. 15 — Deadline for the local board of elections to receive mail-in ballots by mail.How to register to vote in MarylandVoter registration can take place in person through election day or online (by April 23 for the Primary Election, and Oct. 15 for the General Election).Get the Facts video below: How to vote in MarylandTo cast a ballot in the 2024 election, you must be registered to vote. Learn more about who can register to vote here.Your voter registration must be up to date with your current address. Update your voter registration here.For the 2024 Presidential Primary, you can update your address during early voting or on election day. You will vote on a provisional ballot and provide your new address on the application. Your provisional ballot will count as long as you sign the application.How to request a mail-in ballot in MarylandFormerly known as an absentee ballot, voters can request a mail-in ballot by May 7 (request by mail), May 10 (request via online), or May 14 (request in person). No reason is necessary to vote by mail.Tap here to request a mail-in ballot.Voters can expect to receive their mail-in ballot in April for the Primary Election and in September for the General Election. If you chose to receive your ballot by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail with a link to print your ballot.When filling out your ballot, remember to:Use black ink to mark your ballot.Sign the return envelope. Do not sign the ballot.How to return your mail-in ballot:Send your ballot using the postage-paid return envelope sent to you, postmarked by May 14 and received by 10 a.m. on May 24 for the Primary Election.Or, seal the envelope containing the ballot you printed via email and affix a stamp, postmarked by May 14 and received by 10 a.m. on May 24 for the Primary Election.Or, seal the envelope and place it in a ballot drop box (list of locations to come soon), or take it to your local board of elections office, by 8 p.m. on May 14 for the Primary Election.Get the Facts video below: Is voting by mail secure? What happens if the ballot gets lost?Maryland State Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis explained to WBALTV.com how mail-in ballots are kept secure.”You have to have certain requirements in order to request your ballot. We verify that. We make sure that it’s checked. There (are) processes in place to ensure the validity of that ballot,” DeMarinis told WBALTV.com. “When (it’s) counted, it’s counted in front of a bipartisan canvass board, so that Marylanders can have full faith and confidence in the electoral process and making sure that it’s secure, safe and reliable.”Tap here to track your ballot.How to vote in person in MarylandIn Maryland, you will hand mark a paper ballot using a pen provided. You fill in the oval next to your choices by each race\question. Once complete, review you ballot choices and put it into the privacy sleeve and take it to the scanner. An election worker will direct you to insert your ballot into the scanning machine to cast your vote. Your ballot will be scanned and dropped into a secure ballot box.EARLY VOTINGIf you are registered to vote, you can vote early at any early voting center in the jurisdiction where you live. (List of early voting centers to come soon.)Early voting centers will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 2-9 for the Primary Election and from Oct. 24-31 for the General Election.Anyone who is eligible, but not yet registered, can register and vote at an early voting center in the county (or Baltimore City) where they live. Bring a document that proves residency, which can be a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration-issued driver’s license, ID card, or change of address card; or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or other government document with your name and new address. You will be able to register to vote and cast a ballot.If you need to make a change to your voter registration, you can update your address if you moved. But, you can’t change your party affiliation at an early voting center. You must wait until after the election to change your party affiliation.If you changed your name, you must vote under your former name, but you can fill out a form with your new name. Your name will be updated after the election.ELECTION DAY VOTINGGeneral Election Day polling places will open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. Find your assigned polling place here.Election judges neededElection judges are needed across Maryland to facilitate and ensure a fair and accessible election.Get the Facts video below: Election judge shortages impact democracyElection judges are paid poll workers who receive training and serve until all duties are completed at the polls. A bill passed in Session 2023 established new pay amounts for election judges at $250 per day, as well as $50 for training days. Returning judges who served in the past get a $100 bonus. Tap here to learn who is eligible to become an election judge and how to apply.A shortage of election judges isn’t new; however, it seems to have become a larger issue in recent years.”We’re always concerned about election judge shortages,” DeMarinis told WBALTV.com. “This is what we need to help our democracy and to move forward with it, and we need as many citizens to help volunteer and to give their time to the process.”In 2022, Baltimore City needed to find 1,000 election judges. At one point in 2020, the state was short 14,000 election judges, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some counties even reduced the number of polling places because of a lack of election judges to staff them.
WBAL-TV 11 and WBALTV.com are committed to comprehensive coverage of the 2024 election in Maryland. As part of this year’s coverage, WBALTV.com presents a special “Get the Facts” series, Securing the Election. (Get the Facts video above: Securing Maryland’s election process)
Election 2024 is a presidential election year. Additionally, Marylanders will vote for one U.S. senator and all U.S. House seats, in addition to local offices in some jurisdictions.
*** This voter’s guide will be updated soon with the list of candidates and candidate profiles in select races.
- President
- U.S. senator (1 open seat)
- U.S. House members (all 8 seats, including 3 open seats)
In Baltimore, city voters will cast ballots for mayor, City Council president, members of the City Council, and comptroller.
In Baltimore:
- Mayor
- City Council president
- City Council members
- Comptroller
Reminder: Maryland is a closed Primary Election state, which means voters can only cast ballots in their registered party’s Primary Election.
Democratic and Republican parties hold primary elections to choose candidates for the general election. Voters registered with either the Democratic or Republican parties can vote in their party’s primary election.
Any voter can cast ballots for non-partisan offices in a primary election, like members of boards of education.
Yes, you can change your party affiliation (by April 23). See how to make changes and\or register below.
2024 Maryland Primary Election — key dates\deadlines
April 23 (5 p.m. in office\11:59 p.m. online) — Deadline to register to vote and update registration information, including party affiliation.
May 2 — Early voting begins (see below).
May 7 (8 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email) — Deadline for a registered voter to request a mailed or faxed mail-in ballot.
May 9 — Early voting ends.
May 10 (5 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email) — Deadline for a registered voter to request an electronic mail-in ballot.
May 14 — Primary Election Day, mail-in ballot return deadline (in a ballot box, at a polling place or at a local board of elections office), and deadline to register in person.
May 24 — Deadline for the local board of elections to receive mail-in ballots by mail.
2024 Maryland General Election — key dates\deadlines
Oct. 15 (5 p.m. in office\11:59 p.m. online) — Deadline to register to vote and update registration information, including party affiliation.
Oct. 24 — Early voting begins (see below).
Oct. 29 (8 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email) — Deadline for a registered voter to request a mailed or faxed mail-in ballot.
Oct. 31 — Early voting ends.
Nov. 1 (5 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email) — Deadline for a registered voter to request an electronic mail-in ballot.
Nov. 5 — General Election Day, mail-in ballot return deadline (in a ballot box, at a polling place or at a local board of elections office), and deadline to register in person.
Nov. 15 — Deadline for the local board of elections to receive mail-in ballots by mail.
How to register to vote in Maryland
Voter registration can take place in person through election day or online (by April 23 for the Primary Election, and Oct. 15 for the General Election).
Get the Facts video below: How to vote in Maryland
To cast a ballot in the 2024 election, you must be registered to vote. Learn more about who can register to vote here.
Your voter registration must be up to date with your current address. Update your voter registration here.
For the 2024 Presidential Primary, you can update your address during early voting or on election day. You will vote on a provisional ballot and provide your new address on the application. Your provisional ballot will count as long as you sign the application.
How to request a mail-in ballot in Maryland
Formerly known as an absentee ballot, voters can request a mail-in ballot by May 7 (request by mail), May 10 (request via online), or May 14 (request in person). No reason is necessary to vote by mail.
Voters can expect to receive their mail-in ballot in April for the Primary Election and in September for the General Election. If you chose to receive your ballot by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail with a link to print your ballot.
When filling out your ballot, remember to:
- Use black ink to mark your ballot.
- Sign the return envelope. Do not sign the ballot.
How to return your mail-in ballot:
- Send your ballot using the postage-paid return envelope sent to you, postmarked by May 14 and received by 10 a.m. on May 24 for the Primary Election.
- Or, seal the envelope containing the ballot you printed via email and affix a stamp, postmarked by May 14 and received by 10 a.m. on May 24 for the Primary Election.
- Or, seal the envelope and place it in a ballot drop box (list of locations to come soon), or take it to your local board of elections office, by 8 p.m. on May 14 for the Primary Election.
Get the Facts video below: Is voting by mail secure? What happens if the ballot gets lost?
Maryland State Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis explained to WBALTV.com how mail-in ballots are kept secure.
“You have to have certain requirements in order to request your ballot. We verify that. We make sure that it’s checked. There (are) processes in place to ensure the validity of that ballot,” DeMarinis told WBALTV.com. “When (it’s) counted, it’s counted in front of a bipartisan canvass board, so that Marylanders can have full faith and confidence in the electoral process and making sure that it’s secure, safe and reliable.”
How to vote in person in Maryland
In Maryland, you will hand mark a paper ballot using a pen provided. You fill in the oval next to your choices by each race\question. Once complete, review you ballot choices and put it into the privacy sleeve and take it to the scanner. An election worker will direct you to insert your ballot into the scanning machine to cast your vote. Your ballot will be scanned and dropped into a secure ballot box.
EARLY VOTING
If you are registered to vote, you can vote early at any early voting center in the jurisdiction where you live. (List of early voting centers to come soon.)
Early voting centers will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 2-9 for the Primary Election and from Oct. 24-31 for the General Election.
Anyone who is eligible, but not yet registered, can register and vote at an early voting center in the county (or Baltimore City) where they live. Bring a document that proves residency, which can be a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration-issued driver’s license, ID card, or change of address card; or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or other government document with your name and new address. You will be able to register to vote and cast a ballot.
If you need to make a change to your voter registration, you can update your address if you moved. But, you can’t change your party affiliation at an early voting center. You must wait until after the election to change your party affiliation.
If you changed your name, you must vote under your former name, but you can fill out a form with your new name. Your name will be updated after the election.
ELECTION DAY VOTING
General Election Day polling places will open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. Find your assigned polling place here.
Election judges needed
Election judges are needed across Maryland to facilitate and ensure a fair and accessible election.
Get the Facts video below: Election judge shortages impact democracy
Election judges are paid poll workers who receive training and serve until all duties are completed at the polls. A bill passed in Session 2023 established new pay amounts for election judges at $250 per day, as well as $50 for training days. Returning judges who served in the past get a $100 bonus.
- Tap here to learn who is eligible to become an election judge and how to apply.
A shortage of election judges isn’t new; however, it seems to have become a larger issue in recent years.
“We’re always concerned about election judge shortages,” DeMarinis told WBALTV.com. “This is what we need to help our democracy and to move forward with it, and we need as many citizens to help volunteer and to give their time to the process.”
In 2022, Baltimore City needed to find 1,000 election judges. At one point in 2020, the state was short 14,000 election judges, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some counties even reduced the number of polling places because of a lack of election judges to staff them.
