Voter Registration Deadline For MD's Primary Election Is May 27

MARYLAND — Residents who want to participate in Maryland's June 2 primary election have until Wednesday, May 27 to register to vote, change party affiliation, or update their address.

Today is the deadline to register to vote, update your information or change party affiliation. Voters who register today will receive a ballot by internet delivery. Register online here: https://t.co/wImkHlruiQ #MDvotes pic.twitter.com/GZQ2lzL4Lu
— Maryland Elections (@md_sbe) May 27, 2020

Like many states across the country, Maryland's upcoming primary election will be conducted largely by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Voters who are registered Republicans or Democrats can cast their vote in that party's primary elections for President, Delegates to the Nominating Conventions, the U.S. House of Representatives, and Judge of the Circuit Court. Those who aren't affiliated with one of the major political parties can only cast a ballot in the Board of Education contests.

Here's everything Maryland voters needs to know ahead of the June 2 primary election:

Voter Registration Requirements

In order to vote, the individual must be:

• A U.S. citizen;
• A Maryland resident; and
• At least 16 years old.*

The person cannot be:

• Convicted of buying or selling votes;
• Under guardianship for mental disability and found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote; or
• Convicted of a felony and currently serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment.

*Residents can register to vote if they are at least 16 years old, but cannot vote unless they will be at least 18 years old by the next general election.

Unsure if you're registered to vote? Find out here.

If you're a registered voter and want a copy of your voter registration card, visit the Voter Information Lookup service.

Getting a Ballot

The Maryland State Board of Elections mailed ballots to all registered and eligible voters this month.

People who haven't received their ballot should contact their local board of elections.

Registered voters who've cast ballots before don't need to show ID to receive or submit them by mail. A small number of newly registered voters may need to provide ID with their voted ballots. Instructions have been mailed with those ballots.

Voters who want to download their ballot online or have it mailed to another address should visit the state election board's Absentee Voting page.

Updating a Voter's Address

Click here to learn how to update an address. The deadline to update personal information is Wednesday, May 27.

Casting a Ballot

Marylanders must mail or hand deliver their voted ballots. It cannot be submitted online or returned by email or fax.

All mailed ballots include a return envelope and prepaid postage. Voted ballots must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, June 2.

Hand-delivered ballots must be returned to the voter's local board of elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Voting In-Person

Those who can't vote by mail can vote in-person. According to state election officials, there will be at least one voting location in each county and Baltimore City. Polling sites will be open on June 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A list of locations can be found here.

Given the country is in the middle of a public health crisis, election officials urge voters to only visit polling places as a last resort.

Ensuring Votes Are Counted

Marylanders can check that their ballot was counted by visiting the state election board's voter services site or calling 1-800-222-8683. The information will be posted about 10 days after the election.

Still Have Questions?

State election officials have published a video explaining how to vote by mail. More information can be found here.

Specific questions should be directed to local and state election boards.