UMGC Student Voting

You can learn about Maryland voter registration eligibility on the state board of elections website. This page also has information about eligibility to vote in Maryland if you are a U.S. citizen living overseas or are in the military. 

You can use Maryland's Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) to register to vote in Maryland or submit a voter registration application in person at a number of different locations.  

You can also register to vote in-person during early voting and on election day, although to make the voting process quicker for you, the State encourages you to register to vote by the close of voter register. 

For the 2022 Primary Election, the deadline to register to vote and update your information is Tuesday, June 7, 2022. 

For the 2022 General Election, the deadline to register to vote and update your information is Tuesday, October 18, 2022.

You can check if you’re registered to vote in Maryland. 

Any registered voter may vote by mail-in ballot, no reason needed. It’s simply another way to vote if you do not want or cannot go to an early voting center or your polling place. 

There are three ways you can request a mail-in ballot: 

• Online if you have a Maryland’s driver’s license or MVA-issued ID card. You can request your mail-in ballot online.
  
• Complete and return one of the PDF forms provided by the Maryland State Board of Elections available under “How do I request my mail-in ballot”. Read the instructions, enter the required information, print the form, sign it, and return it to your local board of elections. You can return it by mail, fax, or email (scanned as an attachment).
  
• Go to your local board of elections and fill out and turn in the form. 

As soon as possible, but no later than the deadlines provided below! The earlier you request your mailed ballot, the more time you have to return it by Election Day. 

2022 Primary Election

The Maryland deadlines for requesting a mail-in-ballot the depends on how you want to receive your ballot. 

• If you hand deliver your request and the ballots are ready, you can pick up your mail-in ballot. You may take your mail-in ballot with you and return it by mail or you can vote it at the local board office and give it to an election official. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot in person is election day, June 28, 2022. Please visit your local board of elections' website for hours of operation.
• If you want to receive your ballot by mail or fax, your request must be received (not just mailed) by Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
• If you want to receive your ballot via the internet,* your request must be received by 5pm, Friday, June 24, 2022 for a request sent in the mail, or by 11:59 pm, Friday, June 24, 2022 for a request sent by fax or submitted online.

*Please note that a ballot received via the internet must still be returned by hand, by mail, or dropped at a ballot drop off box. 

2022 General Election

The Maryland deadlines for requesting a mail-in-ballot depends on how you want to receive your ballot. 

• If you hand deliver your request and the ballots are ready, you can pick up your mail-in ballot. You may take your mail-in ballot with you and return it by mail, or you can vote at the local board office and give it to an election official. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot in person is election day, November 8, 2022. Please visit your local board of elections' website for hours of operation.
• If you want to receive your ballot by mail or fax, your request must be received (not just mailed) by Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
• If you want to receive your ballot via the internet,* your request must be received by 5pm, Friday, November 4, 2022 for a request sent in the mail, or by 11:59 pm, Friday, November 4, 2022 for a request sent by fax or submitted online. 

*Please note that a ballot received via the internet must still be returned by hand, by mail, or dropped at a ballot drop off box. 

You choose how you want to receive your mail-in ballot. Election officials can mail or fax your ballot to you, or you can download your ballot from the State's website. 

Ballots are sent or posted to the website about 3 weeks before an election. If you want to download your ballot, we will send you an email when your ballot is ready. The email will include a link where you can print your ballot and instructions. 

If you would like your ballot delivered to you electronically or want your ballot mailed to a different address, please submit a request. You can submit a request online or via paper form. If you use a paper form, read the instructions, enter the required information, print the form, sign it, and return it to your local board of elections. You can return it by mail, fax, or email (scanned as attachment). 

You must mail or hand deliver your voted ballot. You cannot submit your voted ballot online, by email or fax. 

2022 Primary Election

Use the envelope provided with your ballot. You can: 

• Hand deliver your ballot. You must deliver it to your local board of elections by 8 pm on election day, or you may take it to an early voting center, or a ballot drop off box by the time the polls close. 
• Mail your ballot. If you mail your voted ballot, make sure that the envelope is postmarked on or before primary election day (June 28, 2022). Your voted ballot must be received by your local board of elections by 10 am on July 8, 2022.
• Drop your ballot at a ballot drop off box. A list of drop boxes in Maryland will be available once they’re announced.
  

2022 General Election

Use the envelope provided with your ballot. You can: 

• Hand deliver your ballot. You must deliver it to your local board of elections by 8 pm on election day, or you may take it to any early voting center in the county in which you live during early voting, any polling place in the county in which you live on election day, or a ballot drop off box by the time the polls close.
• Mail your ballot. If you mail your voted ballot, make sure that the envelope is postmarked on or before general election day (November 8, 2022). Your voted ballot must be received by your local board of elections by 10 am on November 18, 2022.
• Drop your ballot at a ballot drop off box. A list of drop boxes in Maryland will be available once they’re announced. 

If you have specific questions, please contact your local board of elections or the State Board of Elections. 

No, you do not need a stamp to mail your ballot. You may attach a stamp to your ballot envelope, but if you do not, USPS will deliver the ballot no matter what. Your local board of elections will be charged the price of the postage for your ballot.

If for some reason you don't receive your ballot or are not able to fill it out and return it on time, you may cast a provisional ballot in person on Election Day. This ballot will not be counted until nine days after Election Day, upon verification that you only cast one ballot. 

In Maryland, you can track your ballot. 

If you are planning to vote in person in Maryland, you can vote during early voting or on Election Day. 

2022 Primary Election Dates and Time

• Early voting will be available from Thursday, June 16, 2022 through Thursday, June 23, 2022 (including Saturday and Sunday). All early voting centers are open from 7 am to 8 pm.
• Election Day Voting 

2022 General Election

• Early voting will be available Thursday, October 27, 2022 through Thursday, November 3, 2022 (including Saturday and Sunday). All early voting centers are open from 7 am to 8 pm.
• Election Day Voting 

November 8, 2022 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You may also vote at an early voting center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. any day from October 27, 2022, to November 3, 2022. You can vote early or on Election Day at any of the voting centers in the county in which you’re registered to vote. 

You can vote in an early voting center in the county where you live. 

During early voting, go to an early voting center in the county where you live. The list of early voting centers for the 2022 election will be updated when it is available. If you are voting on election day, go to your assigned polling place.

If you moved recently or have not updated your registration, you can find information about where to vote under “Before Voting”. 

In Maryland, if you vote in person, you will fill in a paper ballot by pen. Election workers will be there to help you scan in your vote and assist with any questions. You must, however, cast your vote alone unless you are unable to do so due to a disability or you are unable to read or write in English.  

Find out more information about what to do while voting in person.

In order to vote in Maryland on Election Day, you must be a Maryland resident who is registered to vote. If you are not a Maryland registered voter, you should plan ahead to request a mail-in ballot from your home state by their set deadlines. Find out further information on how to request a mail-in ballot in your home state.  

If you are at home on Election Day, in the state where you’re registered to vote, you may vote there on Election Day. Find out more information about Election Day in your state. 

Find your state’s voter registration deadlines.

Check if you’re registered to vote in your state. 

As soon as possible! The earlier you request your mailed ballot, the more time you have to return it by Election Day. To find your state’s deadlines to request a mail-in ballot, check the website for your state government’s election board, office, or agency. 

Once you have filled out your mail-in ballot, we suggest you mail it back as soon as possible to make sure there's enough time before Election Day for your ballot to arrive at your local board of elections. If you are planning to drop off your ballot in a drop box, do so before Election Day.

Find out your state’s specific deadlines to return your completed mail-in ballot. 

No, you do not need a stamp to mail your ballot. You may attach a stamp to your ballot envelope, but if you do not, USPS will deliver the ballot no matter what. Your local board of elections will be charged the price of the postage for your ballot. 

Each state has different rules regarding voting in person when you already have a mail-in ballot. Check the rules for your state. 

You can return your ballot any of these ways: 

• Mail your ballot inside the accompanying envelope from your local post office or mailbox by Election Day.
• Drop your ballot off in a drop box provided by your county board of elections. You may only drop your ballot off in a drop box in the county in which you’re registered to vote.
• Return your ballot to an in-person polling place during early voting or on Election Day. 

In Maryland, ballots will be mailed beginning in late-September through Election Day. In all states, including Maryland, the earlier you request your ballot, the earlier you’ll receive it.

To find your state’s tracking system, visit Vote.org. 

Find your state’s locations and dates for early and election-day voting. 

If you will not be in your home state on Election Day, you should plan ahead to request a mail-in ballot from your home state by their set deadlines. 

Find out further information on how to request a mail-in ballot in your home state. 

If you are at home on Election Day, in the state where you’re registered to vote, you may vote there on Election Day. Find out more information about Election Day in your state.