Maryland voters head to the polls Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the general election. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. On Election Day, voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling place.
This guide covers how to vote. It does not cover candidates, ballot questions or results.
Where and When to Vote
Polls across Maryland open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters must go to their assigned polling place on Election Day. Voters who are not sure where that is can find their polling place on the State Board’s website.
The State Board of Elections website has the current identification rules.
Registering on Election Day
People who have not registered can still do so. The State Board of Elections says in-person voter registration is available on Election Day, which means eligible residents can register and vote in the same visit. The deadline to register online was Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Mail-In Ballots
Several mail-in ballot deadlines have passed, and one falls today. The deadline to request a ballot delivered by mail or fax was Tuesday, October 27. The deadline to request a ballot delivered by email is Friday, October 30, 2026. One news outlet reported a different time for the email deadline, so voters should confirm with their local board of elections.
Voters can request a mail-in ballot to pick up in person at a local board of elections through Tuesday, November 3, according to the State Board’s 2026 Voting Pocket Guide.
Voters who already have a mail-in ballot have two ways to return it. A ballot returned by mail must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2026. Voters can also place the ballot in an official ballot drop box or deliver it to a local board of elections by 8 p.m. on November 3. The State Board recommends returning the ballot as soon as it is filled out. Drop box locations are listed at vote.md.gov/vote2026.
Early Voting Has Ended
Early voting ran from Thursday, October 22, through Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. It is over, and voters who have not yet cast a ballot can vote in person on Election Day or return a mail-in ballot by the deadlines above.
What’s Next
Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day. Here are the key points in one place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters must use their assigned polling place. Same-day registration is available in person. Mail-in ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3, and ballots returned by hand must reach a drop box or local board of elections by 8 p.m. that day. The deadline to request an emailed ballot is today, October 30. Voters should confirm polling place details and any specific instructions with their local board of elections or on the State Board of Elections website.
