The 2026 gubernatorial election in Maryland features a rematch of the 2022 race between Democrat Wes Moore and Republican Dan Cox.
The following is a compilation of information that voters will need to know to cast a ballot.
Any registered voter can vote. If you are not registered to vote, learn about how to register here or update your registration here by Oct. 13. Voters can cancel their registration online here.
Qualifications to register: A voter must be a U.S. citizen, a Maryland resident and at least 16 years old (so long as the voter will be at least 18 years old by the next general election).
Same-day registration and voting: Marylanders can register to vote during early voting or on Election Day. 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.
To prove residency: Bring a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration-issued license, identification card or change of address card; or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or other government document that shows your name and new address.
Who cannot register to vote? Anyone who has been convicted of buying or selling votes; anyone under guardianship for mental disability and found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote; or anyone who is currently serving a sentence of imprisonment for a felony conviction. (As of 2016, convicted felons are eligible to register to vote upon completion of imprisonment.)
Maryland voters will consider top-level statewide leadership offices that include:
The incumbents in all of Maryland’s eight Congressional districts face challengers and the 5th District race is an open race upon the retirement of Rep. Steny Hoyer.
1st District
2nd District
3rd District
4th District
5th District
6th District
7th District
8th District
At the county levels, voters will decides races that include:
There are as many as three state constitutional amendment ballot referendum questions every Marylander will decide.
The following counties have local ballot and budget questions: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Howard, Prince George’s and Wicomico counties and Baltimore City.
Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026: This question, if approved, would mandate the governor to include state budget funding to pay for agreements between the state and its employees that could include wages, hours, fringe benefits, health benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Temporary Appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities: This question, if approved, would allow for and dictate how temporary substitute appointments are made to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities when a member is recused or disqualified, or when a member’s term expires.
Electoral Districts – General Assembly and Congressional Representatives: This is the question that resulted from the General Assembly passing House Bill 2100 to amend the state constitution as it pertains to how congressional districts are drawn. The question then faced court challenges and reached the Maryland Supreme Court. The high court ruled that the redistricting constitutional amendment question can stay on the ballot — but with different language.
If approved, the question will set forth that the language in the constitution — that legislative districts be compact and follow natural and/or jurisdictional boundaries — only be applied to state House and Senate districts, not congressional districts.
The language change could ultimately open the door to new congressional districts, but it would not automatically reshape the districts. Instead, it creates a pathway in the state’s constitution for future redistricting. Additionally, the question would place any review of congressional districting plans with the Maryland Supreme Court.
On Election Day, cast a ballot at your assigned polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Tap here to find your polling place.
DROP IT OFF: Marylanders who are voting by mail-in ballot can return it in its sealed envelope by mail or dropped off at the board of elections office in the jurisdiction where they live, at an Early Voting Center or in a dropbox by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
BY MAIL: Each ballot sent to voters by mail comes with a postage-paid return envelope that must be postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted. Putting your ballot in a mailbox on Election Day does not mean it is postmarked that day.
However, voters who received their ballot by email will need to click the link in the email to print and mail the ballot on your own. You will need to provide your own envelope and postage to return the printed and marked ballot.
