News4’s Dominique Moody breaks down the top candidates for Maryland governor as voters prepare to cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary.
Voters in Maryland will cast ballots in primary elections Tuesday, picking who will run for the state’s top offices plus seats in the U.S. Congress.
Republicans and Democrats will vote to choose their party's candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, a U.S. Senate seat and the U.S. House of Representatives. Here’s what to know about the top races.
Track Maryland Primary Results Here
Here’s what voters need to know before heading to the polls.
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When and Where Can I Vote on Maryland Primary Election Day?
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Voters must go to their assigned polling place; here’s how to find your location. All voting centers are accessible to those with disabilities, according to the Maryland Board of Elections.
Decision 2022
Coverage of the 2022 elections
What’s the Deadline for Mail-in or Absentee Ballots?
Make sure mail-in ballots are postmarked by Tuesday, July 19.
You can also drop off a mail-in ballot at your local board of elections office or in a ballot drop box. They must be submitted by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Can I Register to Vote on Primary Election Day?
Yes. Maryland voters can register to vote on Tuesday, July 19, at your local polling place with a valid proof of address, according to the State Board of Elections.
According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, proof of address includes an “MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, or your paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government documents with your name and new address.”
When Will We Know the Primary Election Results?
Mail-in voting appears popular this year in Maryland, but that may mean a longer wait for the final results of the 2022 primary.
“We are seeing that more voters are opting to vote by mail,” said Alisha Alexander, Elections Administrator for Prince George’s County.
About 500,000 mail-in ballots were requested, according to Dirra Robertson, a Bowie State University associate professor in the Department of History and Government.
As directed by state law, officials will begin to count mail-in votes on Thursday.
While unofficial results for primary day elections will be posted Tuesday night, those mail-in votes could change the outcome of races, especially competitive ones.
In the last election, the state allowed time to count mail-in ballots before Election Day due to the impact of the pandemic. That didn't happen this year.
“It's really important that folks know we expect this. It's not based on who is ahead or who is behind it is just based on the way Maryland's laws are right now,” said Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan.
Predictions for when some competitive races will be officially decided range from a few days after the election to mid-August. Maryland is the only state that does not allow counting mail-in ballots before the polls close.
