More than 21,000 Washington County voters have already cast ballots during early voting or returned mail-in ballots ahead of Tuesday’s general election, when residents will decide races for governor, county commissioners, sheriff and other state and local offices.
According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, 13,112 Washington County residents voted in person during the state’s eight-day early voting period, which ended Oct. 29. Another 7,893 mail-in ballots had been received as of 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
Together, those figures represent 21,005 ballots cast or returned before Election Day, equivalent to approximately 20.7% of the county’s 101,311 eligible active registered voters reported Oct. 29.
The figures are preliminary and do not represent a final count of accepted votes. The state reports mail-in ballots received separately from those accepted, and additional ballots may arrive before the applicable deadline.
Statewide, 604,396 Maryland voters participated in early in-person voting, according to election officials.
Where and when to vote Tuesday
Polls across Maryland will be open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Voters who are in line by 8 p.m. will be permitted to cast their ballots.
Unlike early voting, when residents could vote at any designated early voting center in their county, voters must report to their assigned Election Day polling location to cast a regular ballot. Voters who go to a different polling place will be required to cast a provisional ballot.
Residents can confirm their polling location and registration information through the Maryland State Board of Elections’ online voter services portal.
Eligible residents who have not registered may register in person on Election Day by providing acceptable documentation establishing their residence. Examples include a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration-issued driver’s license, identification card or change-of-address card, or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or other government document showing the voter’s name and address.
Mail-in ballots and important deadlines
Maryland voters who received mail-in ballots have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to return them to an authorized ballot drop box or their local board of elections.
Ballots returned through the U.S. Postal Service must be postmarked by Election Day and received by election officials no later than 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13. That arrival deadline does not extend the time voters have to cast their ballots; it allows qualifying ballots mailed by Election Day to arrive and be processed.
Washington County’s published ballot drop-box locations include:
- Washington County Election Center on Virginia Avenue in Hagerstown.
- Washington County Free Library on South Potomac Street in Hagerstown.
- Williamsport Town Hall.
- Boonsboro Town Hall.
- Clear Spring Town Hall.
- Hancock Town Hall.
- Smithsburg Town Hall.
- Keedysville Town Hall.
Voters can check whether their mail-in ballot has been received through the state’s online voter lookup service.
Statewide races on the ballot
Maryland voters will decide several statewide offices, including governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller and attorney general. They will also select representatives to Congress and the Maryland General Assembly.
Democratic Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller are seeking reelection. The other gubernatorial tickets are Republican Dan Cox and Rob Krop, Green Party candidates Andy Ellis and Owen Silverman Andrews, and Working Class Party candidates Cathy White and Cathy Permut.
The comptroller and attorney general contests also appear on ballots statewide. Voters should review their sample ballots for the candidates and legislative contests applicable to their districts.
Washington County races
Voters will select five members of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. The ballot lists five Democratic candidates, five Republican candidates and one unaffiliated candidate. Voters may choose up to five.
The sheriff’s race features incumbent Republican Brian K. Albert and Democratic challenger Junior P. McLeod.
Washington County voters will also choose three judges for the Orphans’ Court from six named candidates. In the nonpartisan Board of Education contest, five named candidates are competing for three seats.
Other county offices appearing on the ballot include state’s attorney, clerk of the Circuit Court, register of wills and treasurer.
Judicial retention and ballot questions
In addition to choosing candidates, Maryland voters will consider judicial retention questions and proposed constitutional amendments.
One retention question concerns Dan Friedman, a judge of the Appellate Court of Maryland at large. Voters will select yes or no on whether he should continue in office, rather than choose between competing candidates.
Washington County’s sample ballots also include three proposed constitutional amendments addressing:
- Arbitration reform for state employees.
- Temporary appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities.
- Election districts for the Maryland General Assembly and representatives in Congress.
Voters should review their individual sample ballots for the full wording of the questions and the complete list of contests applicable to their precinct.
When will results be available?
Unofficial results are expected after polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Mail-in and provisional ballot counting will continue after Election Day.
Maryland’s canvassing schedule includes post-election counting sessions, including one on Nov. 13, with additional counting days possible if needed. Election Night totals should not be treated as final certified results.
Residents can follow official election updates through the Maryland State Board of Elections and Washington County Board of Elections.
