Maryland State Wire

Voters in Maryland can begin casting their ballots for the 2024 November election starting tomorrow, Thursday, October 24. This opportunity is available to all voters, including those with felony convictions who are not currently incarcerated. Each county in Maryland has designated locations for early voting before the official Election Day on November 5.

Morgan Drayton, Policy & Engagement Manager at Common Cause Maryland, emphasized the importance of voting as a means of holding power accountable. "From our neighborhoods to Baltimore to Washington, DC, voting is how we hold power accountable to the people," Drayton stated. She added that early voting increases access to the ballot for those who have yet registered or have felony convictions and encouraged participation in this crucial election.

Common Cause Maryland participates in a national coalition aimed at protecting elections by recruiting and training volunteers to assist voters at polling stations. The coalition operates a nonpartisan voter assistance hotline—866-OUR-VOTE—to help voters experiencing challenges or questions during the voting process.

The voter assistance hotline provides support in multiple languages:

- English: 866-OUR-VOTE / 866-687-8683

- Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA / 888-839-8682

- Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE / 888-274-8683

- Arabic: 844-YALLA-US / 844-925-5287

Marylanders currently incarcerated under pre-trial detention or convicted of misdemeanors remain eligible to vote. Correctional facilities will provide election materials to facilitate mail-in voting for these individuals.

To register and vote during early voting, residents must visit any voting center within their county with proof of residency. Acceptable documents include an MVA-issued license, ID card, change of address card, paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government-issued document bearing the voter's name and new address.

Maryland is among the majority of states offering early in-person voting and one of six states allowing it on Sundays. In the previous presidential election year of 2020, nearly 70% of voters nationwide utilized mail-in or early voting options according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. In Maryland alone, about one-third (33%) voted early that year.

For more information on early voting dates and locations in Maryland, interested parties are encouraged to seek additional resources online.