Maryland Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-in Deadlines

General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Maryland you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Be a Maryland resident;
• Be at least 18 years old by the next general election;
• Not be under guardianship for mental disability;
• Not have been convicted of buying or selling votes;
• Not have been convicted of a felony, or if you have, you have completed serving a court ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any term of parole or probation for the conviction.

How to register to vote:

Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  

You can also use the Maryland Voter Registration Form.  Mail your completed form to your County Board of Elections or the State Board of Elections.

ID requirements for first-time voters:

If you are a first-time voter and you're registering to vote by mail, you must provide a copy of your ID with your voter registration form.  If you don't, you need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.  Acceptable forms of ID include: a copy of a current and valid photo ID, such as: Maryland driver's license; MVA-issued ID card; student photo ID card; employee photo ID card OR a copy of a current utility bill; bank statement; government check; paycheck or; other government document that shows the your name and address. 

Verifying your voter registration:

You are considered a registered voter when you receive your Voter Notification Card from your local board of elections. If you do not receive your card three weeks after you submit an application, you should contact your County Board of Elections.  You can also verify your registration online through the University of Maryland.  

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Absentee ballot rules:

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in Maryland, but you must swear an oath that is returned with your voted ballot that you "will be absent or unable to vote in person in the election." If you will not be absent or are able to vote in person in the election, you should plan on voting at your polling place on election day.

How to apply for an absentee ballot:

Request a Maryland absentee ballot by completing the Maryland Absentee Ballot Application (formulario y instrucciones disponibles también en español).  Enter the required information on the form, print the form, sign it, and send it to your County Board of Elections. 

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to provide ID if you have already voted in Maryland at least once.  If are voting for the first time in Maryland, and you did not include ID with your voter registration application, you must include a copy of your ID with your absentee ballot application.  Acceptable forms of ID include: a copy of a current and valid photo ID, such as: Maryland driver's license; MVA-issued ID card; student photo ID card; employee photo ID card OR a copy of a current utility bill; bank statement; government check; paycheck or; other government document that shows the your name and address.

Emergency absentee ballots:

Mailed or faxed absentee ballot applications are due the Tuesday before the election.  After this date, you may request an emergency absentee ballot if one of the following conditions arises:

• Your job will prevent you from voting in person
• You suffer a suddent illness or accident that prevents you from voting in person
• An immediate member of your family passes away or suffers a serious illness

Requests for emergency absentee ballots must be made in person at your County Board of Elections.  You may designate an agent to pickup and, if necessary, return the voted ballot.  If you have any questions about obtaining an emergency absentee ballot, please contact your County Board of Elections.

Absentee ballot instructions:

Fill out your absentee ballot, sign where indicated, and mail or hand-deliver your voted ballot to your County Board of Elections.  Do not take your voted absentee ballot to the polls on election day. A voted absentee ballot turned in at the polls will not be counted. 

If you need help completing your absentee ballot:

If you are disabled, unable to write, or unable to read the ballot, you may ask someone else to help you with your absentee ballot.  The following people cannot help you with your ballot: a candidate whose name is on the ballot; your boss; or anyone who works for your Union. 

The person who helps you complete your absentee ballot must execute a certification and include that certification with the completed ballot.  Contact your County Board of Elections for details on this process.

State Contact Information