Voting in Maryland, 2026
Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.
Every date, in order
- Thu, Oct 22 · passedEarly voting begins
- Thu, Oct 29 · 2 daysEarly voting endsEarly voting runs from Thursday October 22 through Thursday October 29, 2026.1
- Tue, Nov 3 · 7 daysElection Day
- Fri, Nov 13 · 17 daysMail ballots must arrive; County/Local canvass; County/Local certification
- Thu, Dec 3 · 37 daysState canvassThe statewide canvass is complete within 30 days of the election, by December 3.2
- Tue, Dec 8 · 42 daysState certificationThe state certifies the results by Tuesday, December 8, 2026. The State Board of Elections and Governor issue certificates to elected candidates within 35 days after an election.3
- After certificationDeadline to contest the resultUp to 7 days after the election is certified (or within 10 days after the problem becomes known to the petitioner)4
Questions people ask about voting in Maryland
Q. When does early voting end in Maryland?
Early voting runs from Thursday October 22 through Thursday October 29, 2026.
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Maryland?
With proof of address, voters can register in person during early voting and on Election Day. Otherwise, the deadline to register online or by mail in advance is Tuesday October 13, 2026.
Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Maryland?
Voters can apply in person through Election Day, while requests for a ballot by mail must be received by Tuesday October 27, 2026 and requests for an online ballot by Friday October 30.
Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Maryland?
Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day count if received by 10 a.m. on Friday November 13, 2026.
Q. Who certifies the election in Maryland, and by when?
The county election board, five members appointed by the Governor, canvasses the absentee and provisional ballots, tabulates the countywide total and sends it on to the state. Certified results are transmitted from local boards to the state on November 13, 2026. The State Board of Canvassers--consisting of the Secretary of State, the Treasurer, the Comptroller, the Attorney General and the clerk of the highest state court--receives the county results and certifies the statewide results. (Note: The Governor only certifies presidential results) The state certifies the results by Tuesday, December 8, 2026. The State Board of Elections and Governor issue certificates to elected candidates within 35 days after an election.
Q. What happens after the count in Maryland, and when is there a recount?
The local board conducts the recount and certifies the official result of the election or question that is the subject of the recount; when the recount is completed, the local board, and the State Board when appropriate, correct the election returns and certificates that were made by a canvassing board (Md. Election Law 12-106).
Q. How long is there to contest an election in Maryland?
Up to 7 days after the election is certified (or within 10 days after the problem becomes known to the petitioner)
Sources
- Vote.org, Maryland Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/maryland/
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- ncsl.org, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
- ncsl.org, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
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