How to vote in Maryland, including how to register – NBC4 Washington

September 29, 2026 Clara Wilson

The 2026 general election is coming up Tuesday, Nov. 3 in D.C., Maryland, Virginia — and across the country.

Check here for quick details on early voting, hours and voter registration info for Maryland. We’ll update this page soon with even more information. (Looking for voter info for D.C. or Virginia? Go here.)

Early voting dates in Maryland for 2026

Early voting will begin in Maryland on Thursday, Oct. 22 and will continue through Thursday, Oct. 29.

Early voting locations in Maryland

You may vote at any early voting center in the county where you live. Find locations here.

Early voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week of early voting. As long as you’re in line by 8 pm, you’ll be able to vote.

Do you need ID to vote in Maryland in 2026?

Some first-time voters in Maryland may be asked to show ID before voting, Maryland election officials say. If you are asked to show ID, you’ll need one of the following:

a copy of a current photo ID — such as a Maryland driver’s license; an MVA-issued ID card; a student, employee or military ID; a U.S. passport, or any other state-or federal government-issued ID card
or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address, dated within 3 months of the election

How to register to vote in Maryland

If you need to register to vote in Maryland, you can do that on the Maryland State Board of Elections website. (Not sure if you’re registered? You can check here.)

The deadline to register online or by mail is Oct. 13. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked on or before that day. (See other important dates and deadlines for voting in Maryland here.)

However, same-day registration will also be available by using a provisional ballot. If you’re registering, bring a document that proves where you live, such as:

your MVA-issued driver’s license, permit or ID card
a paystub
a bank statement
a utility bill
or another government document that shows your name and address

How to get a mail-in ballot in Maryland in 2026

Want to request an absentee ballot? You can do that on Maryland’s elections website here. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot:

if you want your ballot delivered by mail or fax: Oct. 27
if you want it delivered by email: Oct. 30

When’s the deadline to return a mail-in ballot in Maryland?

If you’re returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3, 2026. “We recommend you return it as soon as you’ve filled it out,” elections officials say.

They warn: “Putting your ballot in a mailbox on election day does not mean it is postmarked that day.”

If you bring your ballot to an approved drop box or your local board of elections, you must do so by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Here’s a PDF of ballot drop box locations in Maryland.