Registration
Maryland registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
Maryland Voting Guide
Use this Maryland voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
Maryland voting quick facts
Voter ID
Maryland is listed as No document required to vote.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot. You don't need a reason to vote by absentee ballot. It's another way to vote if you don't want to or can't go to an early voting center or your polling place.
Felony Voting Rights
In Maryland, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2016, HB 980 and SB 340 restored voting rights after incarceration.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, request a duplicate voter registration card., check your polling place location, and 4 more.
Register
Maryland voter registration options
Maryland voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted. Same-day registration may also be available where noted.
Online Available
You can use Maryland's Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) to register to vote
- Online registration must be completed 21 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
You can submit a voter registration application to your local board of elections or the State Board of Elections. The mail-in application must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 21 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
Voters may register in person at designated election offices or voter registration agencies.
same day registration Available
Qualified individuals may register to vote at the polling place during Early voting period through Election Day. MD Code, Election Law, § 3-305, 3-306. Go to an early voting center in the county where you live during early voting, or go to your assigned election day polling place and bring a document that proves where you live.
- Same-day registration is available through Election Day where permitted.
- Same-day registration is available through Election Day where permitted.
military overseas Available
Military and overseas voters may have additional registration options.
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
registration_status
Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site
Identification
Maryland voter ID laws
Maryland voter ID rule: No document required to vote.
No document required to vote
Maryland voter ID rule: No document required to vote.
Code: Md. Code, Election Law § 10-310, Md. Code, Election Law § 3-203, and 52 U.S.C. § 21083(b) (HAVA requirements for certain first-time voters)
Accepted forms of ID
- Maryland generally does not require registered voters to present identification when voting in person.
If you do not have ID
- Most Maryland voters are not required to present identification when voting.
- If identification is required for a first-time voter under federal law and the voter cannot provide it, the voter may cast a provisional ballot subject to eligibility verification.
Polling Places
Maryland poll hours
Polling places in Maryland are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
7:00 AM-8:00 PM
On an election day, a polling place shall be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. A voter who has appeared at a polling place by the closing hour to cast a ballot shall be allowed to vote.
Absentee Voting
Maryland absentee and mail voting
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot. You don't need a reason to vote by absentee ballot. It's another way to vote if you don't want to or can't go to an early voting center or your polling place.
Absentee Voting In Maryland
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot. You don't need a reason to vote by absentee ballot. It's another way to vote if you don't want to or can't go to an early voting center or your polling place.
Request an absentee ballot
There are three ways you can request an absentee ballot.
- Online if you have a Maryland’s driver’s license or MVA-issued ID card.
- Complete and return one of the forms below. Read the instructions, enter the required information, print the form, sign it, and return it to your local board of elections. You can return it by mail, fax, or email (scanned as an attachment).
- Go to your local board of elections and fill out and turn in the form.
Last day to request an absentee ballot for primary
For the 2018 Primary Election, your request must be received (not just mailed) by
- Tuesday, June 19, 2018, if you want to receive your ballot by mail or fax
- Friday, June 22, 2018, if you want to download your ballot from the State's website
Last day to request an absentee ballot for General
For the 2018 General Election, your request must be received (not just mailed) by
- Tuesday, October 30, 2018, if you want to receive your ballot by mail or fax
- Friday, November 2, 2018, if you want to download your ballot from the State's website
Returnan absentee ballot for General
You must mail or hand deliver your voted ballot. You cannot submit your voted ballot online, return it by email or fax, or take it to an early voting center or a polling place.
- If you hand deliver your ballot, you must deliver it to your local board of elections by 8 pm on election day.
- If you mail your ballot, the envelope must be postmarked on or before primary election day (June 26, 2018) or general election day (November 6, 2018) and received by your local board of elections by 10 am on July 6, 2018 (for the primary...
- If you have specific questions, please contact your local board of elections or the State Board of Elections.
Eligibility
Maryland voter eligibility
Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Age requirements
Voting age: must be 18 years old prior to next election to vote
Registration age: You can register if you are at least 16.
To register to vote in the State of Maryland, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a United States Citizen
- Be a Maryland resident;
- Under guardianship for mental disability and found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote
- Not have been convicted of buying or selling votes;
- Not have been convicted of a felony, or if you have, you have completed serving a court ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any term of parole or probation for the conviction.
Voting Rights
Maryland felony conviction voting rights
In Maryland, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2016, HB 980 and SB 340 restored voting rights after incarceration.
Lost Only While Incarcerated; Automatic Restoration After Release
In Maryland, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2016, HB 980 and SB 340 restored voting rights after incarceration.
Citation: Md. Const. Art. I, § 6; Md. Elec. Law Code § 3-102
Recent actions
- 2016 Enacted HB 980 / SB 340 restoring rights after incarceration.
Work and Voting
Maryland time off for voting
Every voter may take two hours off work so long as the employee does not have two hours of continuous off-duty during the time that the polls are open.
Time off status: Yes
Every voter may take two hours off work so long as the employee does not have two hours of continuous off-duty during the time that the polls are open.
MD - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
Every voter may take two hours off work so long as the employee does not have two hours of continuous off-duty during the time that the polls are open.
Lookup
Maryland voter information lookup
Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, request a duplicate voter registration card., check your polling place location, find out your voting districts., and 3 more.
Moving
Maryland moving and student voting
Give the local board of elections where you currently live your new address information. You can use the voter registration application to make the change, or you can submit in writing your new address. You can also use the voter registration application to make a name or party affiliation change.
Movers and college students Voting
Give the local board of elections where you currently live your new address information. You can use the voter registration application to make the change, or you can submit in writing your new address. You can also use the voter registration application to make a name or party affiliation change.
What should I do if I moved since the last election?
- Give the local board of elections where you currently live your new address information. You can use the voter registration application to make the change, or you can submit in writing your new address. You can also use the voter...
- If you changed your address with MVA, the change should have been sent to your local board of elections unless you specifically stated that you did not want your address changed for voter registration purposes. You can verify that your...
- If you do not receive a Voter Notification Card with your new address and polling place information within three to four weeks, contact the local board of elections where you now live to ensure that your records are up-to-date.
College Student
- At School. In order to vote in Maryland, you must be a resident of the state.[10] Students can establish residency in Maryland if they have a present intent to remain at their Maryland school address for the time being, and they intend to...
- Voting in Maryland may be considered a declaration of residency, potentially making you subject to other laws that govern state residents.
Sources
Maryland official voting resources
Questions
Common Maryland questions
Can I register to vote online in Maryland?
Maryland lists online voter registration as available. You can use Maryland's Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) to register to vote
What voter ID rule does Maryland use?
Maryland is listed as No document required to vote. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in Maryland?
Polling places in Maryland are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my Maryland voter registration or polling place?
The Maryland voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, request a duplicate voter registration card., check your polling place location, find out your voting districts., and 3 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in Maryland?
In Maryland, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2016, HB 980 and SB 340 restored voting rights after incarceration.