Mail-in voting is one of three ways to vote in Maryland. 

• You may vote by mail or
• vote in-person at any Early Voting Center during Early Voting or
• vote in-person on Election Day at your assigned polling place.

The law requires the State Board of Elections and each local board of elections to refer to absentee ballots as "mail-in ballots" and absentee voting as "mail-in voting." Please note that this change in terminology does NOT change the process that was previously called absentee voting.

Any Maryland registered voter may request and vote by mail-in ballot. You don't need a reason to vote by mail-in ballot.

For the 2026 Election Cycle:
2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election: Mail-In Ballot Canvass or Early Processing of Mail-In Ballots starts June 1, 2026, and ends July 6, 2024, unless the volume requires an extension.
2026 Gubernatorial General Election: Mail-In Ballot Canvass or Early Processing of Mail-In Ballots starts October 13, 2026, and ends November 13, 2026, unless the volume requires an extension.

No; voters must apply to receive a mail-in ballot. 

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

• Go Online if you have a Maryland's driver's license or MVA-issued ID card.
• Complete and return one of the forms below. 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, in-person, or email with an attached image of your signed request to your local board. Your signature is required on any returned request.
  • Mail-in Ballot Application (PDF) English
  • Solicitud de Papeleta de Votante Ausente (PDF) Spanish
  • ዋና-ውስጥ የድምጽ መስጫ ማመልከቻ (PDF) Amharic
  • 우편 투표 신청서 (PDF) Korean
  • 郵寄選票申請 (PDF) Traditional Chinese
  • 邮寄选票申请 (PDF) Simplified Chinese
  • Ứng dụng bỏ phiếu qua thư (PDF) Vietnamese
• Go to your local board of elections and receive a mail-in ballot in person.

If you want to get a mail-in ballot for all future elections, you can sign up for the permanent mail-in ballot list when you request a mail-in ballot. Once you are on this list, we will send you your mail-in ballot for each future election you are eligible to vote in. You won't have to submit a request for each election.
Note: Requests for mail-in ballots may take approximately a week to process.
You may designate someone to drop off your mail-in ballot application and pick up your mail-in ballot for you. Both you and your agent must complete, sign and submit a Designation of Agent Form along with your completed and signed Mail-In Ballot Application to your local board of elections:

• Designation of Agent Form Mail-In Ballot English
• Formulario para Designar un representante Español

Important: If you want to vote in-person, please do not sign up for mail-in voting. Once we issue your mail-in ballot, if you later change your mind and show up to vote in-person you will have to vote a provisional ballot

Contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program at www.fvap.gov to apply online.
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You may submit your application by mail to:
Montgomery County Board of Elections
P.O. Box 10159
Rockville, MD  20849-0159             
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Registered voters may choose to email or fax their applications to:
Fax: 240-777-8560
E-Mail: [email protected]
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If you are in Montgomery County, you can deposit it in one of our drop boxes available throughout the county. 

Please send the Request for Cancellation of your permanent status to:
Montgomery County Board of Elections
P.O. Box 10159
Rockville MD 20849-0159
You can also scan and email the cancellation request to [email protected]

If you move outside State of Maryland, please cancel your Maryland voter registration which will automatically cancel your mail-in ballot request. You may download or print the Voter Registration Cancellation Form or Solicitud para cancelar el registro de votantes, complete it, sign it and return it to us via mail or email at [email protected]. If you move within the State of Maryland, you will need to update your voter registration while your Mail-in Ballot application remains valid and will be updated to reflect your new address. However, if you wish to change your ballot delivery method, please submit a new application. 

Yes. The State Board of Elections will notify you prior to the upcoming election.

A voter who has requested a permanent mail-in ballot shall be removed from the permanent mail-in ballot list if:

•  the voter requests to be removed from the list;
•  the voter is removed from the statewide voter registration list;
•  the voter fails to return a mail-in ballot for two statewide elections; or
•  any mail sent to the voter by the State Board, or a local board is returned undeliverable.

1. How can I receive a Mail-In ballot?

Maryland registered voters may receive mail-in ballots by mail, by web delivery (email), or by fax. They also can visit Board of Elections and be issued one in person. 

2. When will I receive my ballot?

The State Board of Elections begins transmitting and mailing out ballots 45 days prior to an election.

3. Can I have someone pick up my Mail-In ballot for me?

You may designate someone to do this for you.  You and your agent must complete, sign, and submit a Designation of Agent form to your Local Board of Elections:

• Designation of Agent Form Mail-In Ballot English

Formulario para Designar un representante Español

1. What are important steps when returning a voted Mail-In ballot?

• Use a pen with black ink to mark your ballot.
• Follow instructions and make indicated number of selections - Do not overvote. If you mark more candidates than instructed, that race will not be counted while the rest of the ballot will be counted.
• Fill-in the bubbles next to the candidates of your choice.
• Sign and date the oath on your return envelope. (The Spanish version of the oath is in your ballot packet, once signed insert it into the envelope with your ballot).
• Seal your return envelope.

You may place your voted ballot into one of Board of Elections official Drop Boxes prior to 8 p.m. on Election Day.  Locations of official Board of Elections Drip Boxes can be found at Montgomery County Elections Drop Boxes
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Mail your ballot in its return envelope by 8 pm on Election Day to our office at P.O. Box 10369, Rockville, MD 20849-0369 and be sure you have signed the envelope and that it is postmarked by Election Day.
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You may deliver your voted ballot to our office located at: 18753 North Frederick Avenue, Suite 210, Gaithersburg MD 20879 during normal business hours but prior to 8 p.m. on Election Day

2. What should I use to fill out my Mail-In ballot?

Please mark your ballot with a pen that uses black ink.

3. Where can I find a USPS collection box or Post Office, or Official Mail-In ballot drop box?

Please visit Find USPS Locations or contact your local Post Office for USPS collection box sites. You may find Official Mail-in Ballot Drop Box locations at: Montgomery County Elections Drop Boxes

4. May I return my voted Mail-In ballot to a Polling Place during Early Voting or on Election Day?

Yes. Please notify Election Workers at the Polling Place who will accommodate the process.

5. If I get my Mail-In ballot by internet / email, may I e-mail it back to Board of Elections?

No. You must either deliver it in-person; place it in an Official Drop Box or mail it (postmarked) prior to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Locations of official Board of Elections Drip Boxes can be found at this link   Montgomery County Elections Drop Boxes

6. Can I ask someone to return, on by behalf, my voted, signed, and sealed Mail-In ballot to the Board of Elections, USPS mailbox or Official Mail-In drop box?

Yes. 

1. How can I track my Mail-In ballot in the postal system?

Visit the Track Your Ballot to verify we have received your request for a ballot and the status of your mail-in ballot. If you have more questions, please contact us at 240-777-8550 or email us at [email protected].

2. I already requested a Mail-In ballot, but I did not receive it.
   1. How do I find out if my Mail-In ballot was mailed to me?

Visit the Track Your Ballot to verify if we received your request, call 240-777-8550 or email [email protected] for the status of your mail-in ballot.

2. Can I request another Mail-In ballot? 

Yes. If your ballot did not arrive, if it was damaged, or if you made a mistake - please contact us at 240-777-8550 or by email at [email protected].

3. What if I receive two Mail-In ballots?

Please destroy the first ballot you received and vote the second ballot. Do not vote and return both mail-in ballots. Please call 240 777-8550 or email [email protected] to report it.

4. How do you make sure that only one Mail-In ballot is counted?

The tracking number associated with your name (printed on your return envelope) is input into the Statewide data base when your ballot is received. The system allows only one tracking number to be entered and therefore only one ballot can be received.

3. How can I find out whether you received my voted Mail-In ballot?

Visit the  voter look-up website to verify if we received your request for a ballot  and the status of your mail-in ballot (call 240-777-8550 or email [email protected] for more information).

1. I already received my Mail-In ballot, but I made a mistake or damaged it.
   1. Can I request a replacement Mail-In ballot?

Yes. Contact us at 240-777-8550 or by email at [email protected].

2. Can I vote in-person during Early Voting or on Election Day?

Yes – if you cancel your Mail-In ballot prior to the start of Early Voting or you will have to vote a Provisional Ballot which will require you to complete a separate application and follow the process designed for Provisional Ballots.  If you plan to vote a Provisional Ballot, please allow for more time to complete the process during Early Voting or on the Election Day.

2. I requested a Mail-In ballot but changed my mind. Can I still vote in person?

Yes – you can cancel your Mail-In Ballot prior to the start of Early Voting and then vote in person, or you will have to vote a Provisional Ballot which will require you to complete a separate application and follow the process designed for Provisional Ballots.  If you plan to vote a Provisional Ballot, please allow for more time to complete the process during Early Voting or on the Election Day.

3. I am going away to school; can I still request and vote a Mail-In ballot?

Yes. Please indicate the correct residential Maryland address and mailing address where you would like to receive your Mail-in ballot.

4. I am a former college student, who voted by Mail-In Ballot at my school address before, but now I am back home in Montgomery County. How can I vote?

In-Person Voting
You can vote in person during early voting at any early voting center OR at  your assigned polling place on Election Day.
By mail-in ballot
Please note that if you previously requested a permanent Mail-in ballot OR already requested Mail-In ballot for 2026 elections to be delivered to your school address, you will need to update your mail-in ballot request.

5. My family is temporarily overseas. How can we vote?

Apply for a Mail-in Ballot. 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.
• Complete and return the form below. 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).”
  • Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
• You may obtain a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request - Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) by contacting Montgomery County Board of Elections or by coming to our office located at 18753 North Frederick Ave, Suite 210, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 to fill out your application and turn in the form.

If you are not currently a registered voter in Maryland, you must register by submitting your Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request - Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) hard copy by mail as your original signature is required for registration purposes.
Please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website www.fvap.gov for more information.