Here is important information about the elections this year and how you can sign up to vote by mail.
Why the Election Schedule Changed
Every 10 years after the U.S. Census, election district boundaries must be redrawn to make sure all districts have equal population. Lawsuits have challenged many of the new district boundaries, and Maryland’s highest court has delayed the primary election schedule to give the courts more time to decide those lawsuits. The general election will still be November 8, but the court changed the primary to July 19.
Why Commit Now to Vote This Year
This 2022 election year is our opportunity to elect state and county officials who will shape Maryland’s direction for at least the next decade. We can elect officials who will take real action on climate change and environmental justice, move from dirty fossil fuels to clean renewable energy, protect forests and natural places, and promote zero waste.
Maryland has many districts and counties that are overwhelmingly Democratic or overwhelmingly Republican. In those, the candidate that wins the primary on July 19 is almost guaranteed to win election in November.
In the last state election nearly 80% of the candidates endorsed by the Sierra Club had to face opponents in the primary to even get on the ballot for the November general election. We expect this year’s primary to be just as important as it was last time.
Voting By Mail
You can decide now whether you want to vote in person or by mail in the July 19 primary election. If you may be busy or away from home on July 19 voting by mail is a great way to be sure you won’t lose your chance to vote. If you sign up now you should receive the primary election ballot in June.
Any registered voter can go online here to make a Mail-in Ballot Request. You can choose to sign up to receive a mail-in ballot for the July 19 primary, the November 8 general election, both of those, or to receive a mail-in ballot for both of those and all future federal and state elections:
Other Resources
The State Board of Elections also provides online capability to verify voter registration. Persons who need to register to vote or change their address or party affiliation can do that online here.
Let’s all commit now that we will vote in the July 19 primary and November 8 elections. Together we can move Maryland forward by electing officials who will be real champions.