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Register to vote

Who is Eligible to Register to Vote?

An individual may become registered to vote if the individual:

 

A. is a citizen of the United States;

​B. is a resident of Maryland as of the day the individual seeks to register;  and 

C. at least 16 years old or older.*

 

Restoration of Voting Rights in Maryland

Can I have my voting rights restored in Maryland if I have previously been convicted of a felony?

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Effective, March 10, 2016, if you have been convicted of a felony and have completed serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, you are eligible to register to vote, even while on probation or parole.  

Who is Not Eligible to Register to Vote?

An individual is not qualified to be a registered voter if the individual:

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A. is currently serving a sentence in prison;

B. has been convicted of buying and selling votes; and/or 

C. is under guardianship for mental disability and a court of competent jurisdiction has specifically found by clear and convincing evidence that the individual cannot communicate, with or without accommodations, a desire to participate in the voting process.

How Can I Register to Vote?

An individual may register online or submit a paper voter registration application in person at:

 

  • Your local board of elections;

  • The State Board of Elections;

  • The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;

  • The Department of Social Services;

  • The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA);

  • Offices on Aging;

  • The MTA Paratransit Certification Office;

  • All public institutions of higher education;

  • Recruitment offices of the U.S. Armed Forces;

  • Marriage license offices; and

  • Offices for students with disabilities at all Maryland colleges and universities.

 

What is the Deadline to Register to Vote?

The deadline to register to vote depends on how you submit your voter registration application. An application must be postmarked by the voter registration deadline in order to vote in the next scheduled election. If you submit a voter registration application during the period that registration is closed, your application will be held at the local board of elections and processed when registration reopens. 

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The close of voter registration is:

What Do I Need to Register to Vote?

In addition to basic identifying information, federal law requires that you provide on your voter registration application a Maryland driver’s license number or MVA ID Card number or, if you do not have a Maryland driver’s license or MVA ID Card, the last four digits of your social security number. Your application will NOT be processed unless you provide this information or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that you do not have a Maryland driver’s license, MVA ID Card, or social security number.

Can I Register During Early Voting?

Yes, an individual can also register to vote during early voting. To make the voting process quicker for you, we encourage you to register to vote by the close of voter registration. If you can't register by that date, go to an early voting center in the county where you live and bring a document that proves where you live. This document can be your MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, or your paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and new address.

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*You may register to vote if you are at least 16 years old but cannot vote unless you will be at least 18 years old by the next general election.

Register

Register Online with the Maryland State Board of Elections.  

Are You Registered?

Review your registration record, request a new card, find out here. 

find your poll

Find out where to vote, your voting district, and local board of elections. 

absentee ballots

Request an Absentee Ballot from the State Board of Elections

Maryland Voter’s Bill of Rights

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YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote by provisional ballot if for any reason you are not able to vote on the regular voting machines.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote without showing identification unless you are a first-time voter who did not show ID when you registered.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to assistance at the polls if you have a physical disability or an inability to read the English language.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to Vote-By-Mail for any reason.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to take time off from work to vote.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote on the regular voting machine if you are in line at your polling place by 8:00 pm.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to have your polling place open promptly at 7:00 am.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote without being approach or solicited within 100 feet of your polling place.

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