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2026 Elections
How to Vote in Maryland: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Maryland for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Maryland's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 21 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 22, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- Tuesday before Election Day (mail/fax); Friday before (online); Election Day (in-person)
- Polls Close
- 8 p.m. ET
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your Maryland voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
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See rule
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Same-day registration
Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day.
Official source →Nov 7, 2028
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See rule
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Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your Maryland Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Maryland's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View Maryland's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
Not this cycleMaryland has no U.S. Senate race in 2028. Senate seats rotate on a six-year cycle across three classes. Learn how Senate classes work →
Supreme Court of Maryland
On the ballot1 seat is on the 2028 ballot. Local judges may be on your ballot too. See the candidates and how Maryland chooses judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at Maryland's official election site.
Find your Maryland representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Maryland
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 21 days before Election Day.
Maryland also allows same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Maryland's official site.
Early Voting in Maryland
Early voting opens ≈ October 22, 2026 — Second Thursday before Election Day. It runs through Thursday before Election Day.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Maryland's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Maryland
Any registered voter in Maryland may request a mail ballot — no excuse required. Request deadline: Tuesday before Election Day (mail/fax); Friday before (online); Election Day (in-person).
Return rule: Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received within 10 days, by 10 a.m.
Track your ballot: look up your record at Maryland's voter portal to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at Maryland's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Maryland
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
See the full list of accepted ID at Maryland's official election site.
Poll Hours in Maryland
Polls are open until 8 p.m. ET on November 7, 2028.
See how Maryland's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Maryland's official election site.
When Maryland Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: County boards of canvassers — by about November 13, 2026. The second Friday after the election, or within 48 hours of finishing if the canvass runs later.
- Statewide: State Board of Canvassers — December 3, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. Within 30 days of the election.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Maryland?
21 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://www.elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/application.html.
Can I vote early in person in Maryland?
Yes. Early voting opens around October 22, 2026 (Second Thursday before Election Day) and runs through Thursday before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in Maryland?
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
When do polls close in Maryland?
Polls close 8 p.m. ET on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in Maryland?
Request a ballot (no excuse needed) — Tuesday before Election Day (mail/fax); Friday before (online); Election Day (in-person). Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received within 10 days, by 10 a.m.
Is it too late to register to vote in Maryland?
21 days before Election Day Confirm at https://www.elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/application.html.
How do I track my mail ballot in Maryland?
Look up your voter record at Maryland's voter portal (https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for Maryland?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at Maryland's official election site (https://www.elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/application.html).