With the Maryland primary election less than a month away, Montgomery County voters are making plans for how they’ll participate.
Party primaries are open to Montgomery County residents registered to vote and enrolled in that party. Primary races for school board, which are nonpartisan, are open to voters enrolled in political parties and to unaffiliated voters.
At the county level, voters will make decisions about the board of education and judge of the circuit court. At the federal level, voters will choose a candidate for president of the United States, U.S. senator, and U.S. representatives in Congress.
Here’s what you need to know:
You can still register to vote.
The deadline is April 23 at 5 p.m. (in person) or 11:59 p.m. (online) for anyone registering with the Montgomery Board of Elections who wishes to vote in the May 14 primary election. After the April 23 deadline, the Board of Elections will continue to receive registrations, but, by law, can’t process them again until 11 days after the primary election.
Same-day registration is allowed, which is in effect during the eight days of early voting at early voting centers or on the day of the primary election at your polling place.
To register, contact the Montgomery County Board of Elections through its website, by email at voter.registration@montgomerycountymd.gov or by phone at 240-777-8519.
You may register in person during the eight-day early voting period at any early voting center in the county or at your assigned polling place on the day of the election. You must have a document that proves where you live, such as an MVA-issued license, an ID card, a change of address card, or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and new address. You can vote immediately after registering.
You can check your voter registration with a simple text.
The Montgomery County Board of Elections has a text system that allows you to easily check your voter registration. Text CHECK to 77788 to review your voter registration record. You can also text BOX to find the nearest drop box for your mail-in ballot, or SERVE to receive more information on applying to be an election worker.
You can also download the MoCo Voters App on the Apple App Store to find voting information from your smartphone.
There’s still time to request a mail-in ballot – and you can track it.
You can request a mail-in ballot (which includes what used to be known as “absentee ballots”). The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is May 7. You can also text VOTE to 77788 to request a mail-in ballot.
You can return your ballot by mail or at a Board of Elections drop box, but election officials advise not waiting until Election Day. Montgomery County Board of Elections President David Naimon told MoCo360 he encourages voters to turn in your ballot as soon as you feel ready to. The board will begin canvassing any mail-in ballots they’ve received as early as April 22.
You can also track the journey of your mail-in ballot on the Maryland Board of Elections website.
You can vote in-person on the day of the primary, or you can vote early at selected sites.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 14. You can find your polling place by inputting your address on the Maryland Board of Elections website.
Early voting for the May 14 primary is scheduled to run from May 2 to 9, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Your typical polling place might not be your early voting site. Find a list of early voting centers here.
The Board of Elections is still seeking election judges.
“It’s not too late to sign up to be an election judge,” Naimon said.
Naimon said the board is particularly in need of Republican and unaffiliated voters, as most applicants have been Democrats. Ballots must be canvassed by bipartisan teams, so it’s necessary to have representation of all parties.
Election judges also may be tasked with working the polling precincts, retrieving ballots from drop boxes and voter assistance at nursing homes. You must be 16 or older for these paid roles. Students can also choose to apply for student service learning hours instead of monetary payment. More information is available on the board’s website.
Need help getting to the polls?
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Ride On bus service is providing several routes that will transport voters to early voting centers. Voters can use the Ride On Trip Planner app to plan your trip closest to the voting center. Bus fare is $1.
Need help voting?
The Montgomery County League of Women Voters has launched a voter hotline. Voters can call 301-984-9585 to get more information on the races and how to vote. The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m to 4 p.m, Monday through Friday until May 14.
Learn more about the candidates through MoCo360’s Voters Guide.
Not sure who to vote for? Check out our MoCo360 Voters Guide to learn more about the candidates, featuring exclusive questionnaires. Subscribe to the Politics Briefing for more information every week leading up to the election.