Maryland
Maryland Voting Deadlines, Canvassing and Additional Information for the 2024 Election
As the 2024 general election approaches, Maryland voters are encouraged to prepare by being aware of key deadlines and processes to ensure their voices are heard at the polls.
The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) today is reminding Marylanders that the advance deadline to register to vote in this year’s Presidential General Election is Tuesday, October 15.
To register to vote or check that your registration is up to date, use SBE’s online registration system.
Those who prefer not to register online may print the registration form (English version and Spanish version) and submit it at their local board of elections. If a voter is sending in their voter registration by mail, it must be postmarked by October 15.
Key Election Dates:
- General Election Date: November 5, 2024
Voter Registration Deadlines:
- In-Person Deadline: October 15, 2024 – The last day to register to vote in person at your local board of elections.
- Online Registration Deadline: October 15, 2024 – You can register or update your voter information until this date through Maryland’s online voter registration system.
- Mail-In Registration Deadline: Your completed voter registration form must be postmarked by October 15, 2024, to be eligible for the general election.
Vote by Mail (Mail-In Ballots):
- Apply for a Mail-In Ballot: To vote by mail, you must apply for a mail-in ballot. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot online or by mail is October 29, 2024.
- Ballot Return: Your completed mail-in ballot must be postmarked by November 5, 2024, and received by your local board of elections by 10 a.m. on November 15, 2024. Ballots may also be submitted in person at ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Early Voting:
- Early Voting Period: October 24 – October 31, 2024 – Maryland offers early voting for those who want to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Early voting centers will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting In-Person on Election Day:
- Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 5, 2024. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will still be allowed to vote.
Where to Vote:
- Polling Locations: You can find your assigned polling place by visiting the Maryland State Board of Elections website. There are also ballot drop-off locations available for those returning mail-in ballots.
Voter ID:
Maryland does not require voters to present identification to vote in most cases. However, if this is your first time voting in a federal election in Maryland and you registered by mail, you may need to provide ID at the polls.
2024 Election Information:
Maryland voters will have the opportunity to vote in a range of elections, including for U.S. President, Congressional seats, state legislature races, and various local offices. In addition, several local ballot initiatives may also be up for consideration, depending on your area.
It’s crucial to verify your voter registration status and make any necessary updates before the registration deadline. Maryland residents can check their registration status online at the Maryland State Board of Elections website or by contacting their local board of elections.
For more detailed information, including sample ballots, polling locations, and mail-in voting instructions, visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website at https://elections.maryland.gov.
By staying informed and adhering to the deadlines, Maryland voters can help ensure a smooth and successful voting experience in the 2024 election.
Canvassing: What Maryland Voters Should Know
Canvassing refers to the process of reviewing and counting mail-in and provisional ballots to ensure they meet state election requirements. According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, the canvassing of mail-in ballots begins before Election Day and continues afterward.
Key Dates for Canvassing:
- Pre-Election Canvassing: The initial canvassing of mail-in ballots begins on October 18, 2024, six days before early voting starts. Election officials will open, review, and begin counting mail-in ballots, but the results will not be made public until after the polls close on Election Day.
- Post-Election Canvassing: Canvassing of mail-in ballots received after Election Day begins on November 7, 2024, and continues until all ballots are processed. This includes any ballots postmarked by November 5 but received before the 10 a.m. deadline on November 15, 2024.
- Provisional Ballot Canvassing: Canvassing of provisional ballots will begin on November 13, 2024. These ballots are used by voters whose eligibility is in question on Election Day and require further verification before they are counted.
Important Canvassing Procedures:
- Public Observation: Canvassing sessions are open to the public. Any individual interested in observing the canvassing process can do so by attending the local board of elections’ canvassing sessions. Each local board will publish details on how and when canvassing occurs.
- Transparency: All canvassing activities are conducted with bipartisan oversight to ensure that the process is fair and transparent.
Ensuring Your Vote Counts:
It’s important for Maryland voters to check their registration status and verify their eligibility before the registration deadline. You can do this by visiting the Maryland State Board of Elections website or contacting your local election office.
By adhering to the deadlines and staying informed about the canvassing process, voters can ensure that their participation in the 2024 election is counted and fully transparent.
Calling all outdoorsmen and women — Maryland’s Lower Shore is home to some of the best hiking, walking and running trails on the East Coast.
Here’s a closer look at four picturesque parks and preserves with nature trails in the Berlin, Salisbury and Ocean City area.
Assateague Island
Assateague Island offers a wide variety of paved and unpaved trails open for hiking and 37 miles of flat beach terrain for wandering and beachcombing. Assateague Island’s Maryland District features a Life of the Dunes trail, Life of the Forest trail, Life of the Marsh trail.
Furnace Town
Furnace Town is nestled between the Pocomoke State Forest and Nature Conservancy’s Nassawango Creek Preserve. The popular historical site offers three Nature Conservancy Trails, three Maryland Forest service Trails, and a 26-acre outdoor museum and recreation area.
Pemberton Historical Park
Pemberton Historical Park, a 262-acre area featuring a trail system, outdoor amphitheater and more, was created in the 1980s. The park offers 4.5 miles of nature trails for walking and hiking only, allowing visitors to explore wetlands, forests and more of the natural world.
Nassawango Creek Preserve
Nassawango Creek Preserve’s primeval forest has an abundance of bald cypress and black gum trees. Visitors are invited to indulge in its four trails, the Nassawango Joe, Prothonotary Warbler, Ron Wilson Memorial Trail and Leifer Trail, as well as self-guided audio tours.
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals’ first-round draft pick Chris Hacopian inked his first professional contract Wednesday, a moment made sweeter by the fact it was just a 30-minute drive from home to get to Nationals Park and put pen to paper.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region. He’s from Potomac, Maryland, and played his high school ball at Winston Churchill, where he was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2022 Washington Post All-Met selection.
According to MLB.com, Hacopian grew up a Nationals fan, admiring the likes of Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and others. He also played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland, where his father Derek played before him, before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season.
With the Aggies, Hacopian hit .319 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI across 42 games en route to being named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference and a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America, the Nationals said in a news release.
After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.
“That was so cool, oh my gosh. I’ve been in the stands like, 100 times, but being on the field is so different,” he said.
Hacopian was ranked 14th among MLB Draft prospects by MLB.com. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound second baseman boasted one of the best bats in college baseball, according to MLB.com, with excellent control over the strike zone and feel for the barrel, along with solid pop.
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The state said the five recently traveled together to “a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak.”
Maryland health officials confirmed five more measles cases, all in Carroll County.
“These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak,” the state Department of Health said in a release.
The agency said others may have been exposed on the afternoon of July 13 in the emergency department waiting room at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.
Another measles case recently prompted warnings from health officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District. On June 17, a Maryland resident traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a D.C. urgent care clinic.
Measles is highly contagious. It can spread through the air through coughs, breathing, and sneezes. Early symptoms can include fevers of over 101 degrees, coughs, runny noses, watery eyes and face or body rashes.
It can take up to 21 days after exposure for the first symptoms to appear, and those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles are especially vulnerable.
The five new measles cases in Maryland bring the state’s year-to-date total to nine. The state health department confirmed three cases in 2025, and one in each of the previous two years.
“All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations,” the health department said.
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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
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