To register to vote in Maryland, you must be a U.S. citizen, a Maryland resident, and at least 16 years old. You can register if you are 16, but you must be 18 by the next general election to actually vote. Those convicted of buying or selling votes, under guardianship for mental disability and deemed unable to communicate voting desires, or currently imprisoned for a felony conviction are ineligible to register.
Certain U.S. citizens living overseas or serving in the military can register and vote in Maryland if their current or last U.S. residence was in Maryland. Online registration is available through the Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR), or you can use the Federal Post Card Application. As of March 10, 2016, individuals with felony convictions are eligible to register after completing their prison sentence. This includes federal, state, and out-of-state convictions.
You can register to vote online through Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR), submit an application to your local board of elections, or register during early voting or on Election Day at your assigned polling place. To register during early voting or on Election Day, bring proof of residence such as an MVA-issued ID, change of address card, paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and address.
You can register in person at your local board of elections, the State Board of Elections, local Department of Health offices, Maryland Department of Human Services offices, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) offices, local Area Agency on Aging offices, the MTA Paratransit Certification Office, public institutions of higher education, U.S. Armed Forces recruitment offices, marriage license offices, and offices for students with disabilities at Maryland colleges and universities.
Besides online registration through Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR), you can also register by mail. Print an application from the Maryland State Board of Elections website or contact your local board of elections to request one. Federal law requires your application to include your Maryland driver’s license or MVA ID card number. If you lack these, provide the last four digits of your social security number. Alternatively, you can affirm under penalty of perjury that you do not have any of these identifying numbers. Applications without this information will not be processed.
When registering, you can affiliate with any recognized Maryland political party. If you choose not to affiliate with a party, you will be registered as “unaffiliated.” Unaffiliated voters generally cannot vote in primary elections but can vote in nonpartisan primary elections (e.g., for the board of education) and general elections.
After submitting a complete application, you are considered a registered voter. If you don’t receive a Voter Notification Card within three weeks, contact your local board of elections. You can verify your registration status online using the Voter Lookup website. Registration remains permanent as long as you reside in Maryland and keep your name and address current. You do not need to re-register when moving within the state.
To update your name or address, use the Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) or notify your local board of elections. Changes made at the MVA will automatically update your voter registration unless you opt out. You can also submit changes on a voter registration application or in a signed written notice. For the 2024 Presidential Primary, address updates can be made during early voting or on Election Day.
If moving to another county or Baltimore City, update your address immediately using the Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) or by contacting the local board of elections in your new jurisdiction. Transgender voters can update their gender through the OLVR system, by contacting their local board of elections, or via a written notice. The voter registration forms offer “Male,” “Female,” and “Unspecified or Other” as gender options. If you’ve recently updated your name and gender with the MVA, that information will be automatically sent to the board of elections.
To cancel your registration, send a signed written notice to your local board of elections or use the Voter Registration Cancellation Form available on the State Board of Elections website. Verify cancellation through the online voter look-up website. You can change your party affiliation using Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR), a new voter registration application, or a written request to your local board of elections. The deadline for changes for the Presidential Primary Election is April 23, 2024. Maryland recognizes the Green Party and the Working Class Party.
