Tuesday, Oct. 13, is the last day to register to vote online or by mail in Maryland before the Nov. 3 general election, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. For Baltimore residents who moved recently, turned 18 or never registered, missing that deadline does not mean missing the election: Maryland still allows same-day registration at early voting centers and on Election Day, as long as you bring proof of where you live.
Here is what city and Baltimore County voters need to know about the deadlines, the nine early voting centers in Baltimore City and the 11 in Baltimore County, and how to vote by mail.
What is the Maryland voter registration deadline for 2026?
The state board lists Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, as the last day to register online or by mail. Paper registration forms sent by mail must be postmarked by that date. The same deadline applies to voters who need to update their registration information, such as a new address or a name change.
Voters can register or check their status through the state’s online voter services portal at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov. Checking takes a few minutes and is worth doing if you moved within Baltimore since the last election, because your assigned Election Day polling place depends on your current address.
I missed the deadline. Can I still vote in Baltimore?
Yes. Maryland offers same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day. Eligible residents can register, or update their home address, at an early voting center or at their polling place and then cast a ballot in the same visit, according to the state board’s 2026 voting guide, as summarized by FOX45.
The key requirement is a document proving where you live. Maryland local election boards list these as acceptable:
- A current Maryland driver’s license, MVA-issued ID card or MVA change-of-address card
- A utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck dated within the last three months
- Another current government document showing your name and address
The list above comes from the Washington County Board of Elections, which applies the statewide rules. If you plan to use same-day registration, bring the document with you.
When does early voting start in Maryland?
Early voting runs for eight days, from Thursday, Oct. 22, through Thursday, Oct. 29. Centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, including the weekend, and anyone in line by 8 p.m. can still vote, according to the state board.
During early voting, you can vote at any early voting center in the county where you live. Baltimore City residents can use any of the city’s nine centers, regardless of neighborhood. Statewide, Maryland has 102 early voting centers this year, according to the state board’s center list.
| Baltimore City early voting center | Address |
|---|---|
| Baltimore City Community College – South Pavilion | 2600 Liberty Heights Ave., 21215 |
| The League for People with Disabilities | 1111 E. Coldspring Lane, 21239 |
| Middle Branch Fitness & Wellness Center | 201 Reedbird Ave., 21225 |
| Mount Pleasant Church & Ministries | 6000 Radecke Ave., 21206 |
| Public Safety Training Center (enter on Manhattan Ave.) | 3500 W. Northern Parkway, 21215 |
| Rita Church Recreation Center | 2101 St. Lo Drive, 21213 |
| Southeast Anchor Library | 3601 Eastern Ave., 21224 |
| University of Maryland Baltimore Engagement Center | 16 S. Poppleton St., 21201 |
| Westside Skill Center (rear entrance on Athol Ave.) | 4501 Edmondson Ave., 21229 |
Baltimore County voters have 11 options: Arbutus Recreation Center in Halethorpe; the Baltimore County Board of Elections multi-purpose room at 5 Crossing Way in Owings Mills; Honeygo Run Community Center in Perry Hall; Jacksonville Recreation Center at Sweet Air Park in Phoenix; the Mosner Miller Building at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium; Randallstown Community Center; Reisterstown Senior Center at the Hannah More campus; Towson University’s South Campus Pavilion; Victory Villa Community Center in Middle River; Watersedge Community Center in Dundalk; and Woodlawn Community Center in Gwynn Oak.
How do I vote by mail in Maryland, and what are the deadlines?
Any registered Maryland voter can request a mail-in ballot. The state board lists these dates:
- Oct. 27: Deadline for the board to receive a request for a ballot delivered by mail or fax. The request must arrive by then; mailing it that day is too late.
- Oct. 30: Deadline to request a ballot online for email delivery.
- Nov. 3: Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day. Ballots can also be placed in an official drop box or delivered to your local board of elections by 8 p.m.
Drop box locations are posted on the state board’s 2026 election page. If you request a mail-in ballot and later decide to vote in person, contact your local board or ask at the polling site about your options before you cast a ballot.
What happens on Election Day, Nov. 3?
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Unlike early voting, on Election Day you must vote at your assigned polling place, which you can find with the state’s polling place search tool. Same-day registration is also available on Election Day with the same proof-of-residence rules.
Maryland generally does not require registered voters to show photo ID at the polls, though some first-time voters may be asked for identification. Election judges staff every site; the city and counties have been recruiting them for weeks, as we reported earlier.
What is on the ballot for Baltimore voters?
The governor’s race tops the ballot, with four candidates competing, according to WTOP. Voters will also choose members of Congress and decide statewide ballot questions, including Question 3, the redistricting amendment. In Baltimore County, several school board seats are contested, and The Baltimore Banner has examined the candidates’ political backgrounds.
Sample ballots specific to your address are available through the state’s voter services portal once you look up your registration, which is the easiest way to see every race and question before you go.
Key dates at a glance
- Tuesday, Oct. 13: Last day to register online or by mail
- Thursday, Oct. 22 – Thursday, Oct. 29: Early voting, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
- Tuesday, Oct. 27: Mail/fax ballot request must be received
- Friday, Oct. 30: Online request deadline for an emailed ballot
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; mail ballots postmarked or dropped off by 8 p.m.
Featured image: An early voting center banner and campaign signs at a Maryland early voting site in 2018. Photo: Edward Kimmel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.