Elections

Election Cycles

There are two election cycles in Maryland, the presidential cycle and the gubernatorial cycle. Prior to each election cycle, there is a primary election to determine who will be on the ballot in the major political parties.

Maryland is a “closed primary” state, meaning that voters registered as Democrats may only vote for Democratic candidates and voters registered as Republicans may only vote for Republicans during the primary elections. Other recognized political parties in Maryland choose their candidates by other methods.

During the general elections held in November, voters can vote for their preferred candidate regardless of their party affiliation.

Election Timelines

Maryland holds elections every two years. In presidential election years (2024, 2028, 2032, etc.), Baltimore County voters elect a U.S. President and Vice President, U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, and delegates for political parties’ National Conventions.

In gubernatorial election cycles (2022, 2026, 2030, etc.), voters elect a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General, and U.S. Representatives, as well as State Senators, State Delegates, County Executive, County Council, any vacancies in Judges of the Circuit Court, State's Attorney, Clerk of Circuit Court, Register of Wills, three Judges of the Orphans' Court, Sheriff, political party’s Central Committee members, and School Board.

To learn more about Baltimore County elections, visit the Baltimore County Board of Elections.

Election Impact

The League empowers voters and defends democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation on issues that affect Baltimore County voters. The gubernatorial election cycle has a huge impact on local priorities and policies in our county through state and local government. The Baltimore County Executive and County Council determine the priorities and legislation for issues that impact voters’ everyday lives. A few of the services voters receive from the County’s government include: developing the budget that provides local government services, planning for adequate public school facilities, providing public works and transportation services, providing zoning regulations and building permits, and assessing and collecting property taxes.

To learn about the Baltimore County Executive Office, visit the Office of the County Executive. To learn more about how Baltimore County legislation is passed, visit About County Council.

League’s Mission for Elections

The League’s mission to “empower voters and defend democracy'' has not changed in our 100 years. At the national level of government, the League of Women Voters advocates for the fundamental right for all eligible voters to have an equal opportunity to exercise that right. The Maryland League of Women Voters provides information and advocacy for statewide legislation and advocacy.

Nonpartisanship

The League of Women Voters is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. The League’s advocacy work is issue based, and we arrive at our positions after careful study and input from our members in communities across the country. We do not select our priorities from politicians, and even when candidates or parties align with us on issues, we do not endorse them.

Successes

• To protect the health of the public during COVID, the Maryland Board of elections established a modified system affecting how, when, and where voters would cast their ballots. In addition to our normal voters’ services, our league created consolidated voting information that was advertised on the front page of a Sunday edition of The Sun and was emailed to 50,000 voters.