Board of Elections
9770 Patuxent Woods Dr #200
Columbia, MD 21046
United States
Voter and Election Resources
Important!
The deadline to register to vote or update a current registration is October 15th, 2024.
Ensure your address, name, and party affiliation are accurate at ELECTIONS.MARYLAND.GOV
Early voting will take place from October 24th to October 31st.
Find an early voting location here: Early Voting | Howard County (howardcountymd.gov)
Election officials have made changes to County, State, and Congressional districts.
District boundaries are updated every ten years based on how the population changes.
Public Viewing Opportunities
Updated for the 2024 Presidential General Election
Are you interested in observing any activities that are available for public viewing in the election process? Click here for more information.
2024 Presidential General Election Canvassing Calendar
Canvass of Mail-In Ballots
As noted in the Canvassing Calendar, there will be a canvass of mail-in ballots on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at the Maryland Innovation Center, 6751 Gateway Dr, Columbia, MD 21046. The canvass is open to the public and begins at 10:00 AM.
Contact List Registration
In accordance with Section 2-303 Paragraph (H)(2), as enacted by HB 410, the Howard County Board of Elections is providing individuals and organizations the opportunity to register their email address so as to receive written notice of the meeting when the Board will be discussing proposed changes to the location(s) of (a) polling place(s).
NOTE: This contact list is for registering to receive a notification in advance of any Board meeting in which proposed polling place changes will be discussed prior to a vote.
Howard County Election Board
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Board Meetings
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Regular Dates and Times
Regular Open Board Meetings are the fourth Monday of each month at 4:00 PM unless otherwise noted. All meetings will be held both in person and virtually unless otherwise noted and announced in the Official Monthly Public Meeting announcement. See the public announcements for additional information. All meetings are subject to change and are open to the public.
2024 Election Board Meeting Schedule (PDF) revised 09/19/2024
Upcoming Regular Open Meeting
The next Regular Open Board Meeting scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2024 has been cancelled. Regular meetings are scheduled for 4:00 PM. Part of the Board meeting may be conducted as an Executive Session regarding any subject matter permitted pursuant to Maryland's Open Meetings Act General Provisions Article Section 3-305 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Meetings are open to the public and will be held in person and virtually via Google Meet.
Official Announcement - Regular Open Meeting (PDF)
Tentative Agenda (PDF)
To attend a Regular Open Board meeting virtually, click the "Join via Google Meet" button below or copy and paste https://meet.google.com/fns-jxvo-fxg into your browser.
To join the meeting by phone, call +1 413-679-2337 (PIN: 253 939 388).
Location
Board meetings will be held both in person and virtually, unless otherwise indicated in the official announcement.
Howard County Board of Elections
9770 Patuxent Woods Dr, Suite 200
Columbia, MD 21046
Inclement Weather Policy
If Howard County Schools are closed and/or all evening activities are cancelled, the Howard County Board of Elections (Board) will hold their fourth (4th) Monday Open Session Meeting virtually. The web link and telephone call-in number are available at the top of the meeting agenda posted on the website.
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Board Members
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Ann M Balcerzak, Esq - President
Donna K Thewes - Vice President
Timothy J. Mummert, Esq. - Member
Raymond M Rankin - Member
Paul P. Rivers - Member
Claude de Vastey Jones, Esq. - Counsel
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Current Board Minutes
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Information and Resources
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Voter Information
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Voter registration and polling place look-up tools and resources for voters and candidates.
Maryland Voter Registration and Polling Place Look-Up Tool
Howard County 2024 Presidential Primary Election Polling Place List (PDF)
Howard County 2024 Presidential Primary Election Early Voting Center (Google Map)
Howard County 2024 Presidential Election Election Day Polling Place (Google Map)
Howard County Interactive Map (select Political Boundaries -> Election Sites)
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2024 Presidential Election Dates
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2024 Presidential General Election
Early Voting - Thursday, October 24, 2024 through Thursday, October 31, 2024
Election Day - Tuesday November 5, 2024
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Running for Office
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Click one of the links below to make an appointment to file for candidacy, or learn more about running for office.
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2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Official
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Statewide election results, both current and past, are available on the State Board of Election website. The results are available for primary and general elections, and reports are available in PDF or Excel format in some cases. Proofing ballots are also available for the most recent election(s).
2022 Gubernatorial General Election Reports
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Voter Outreach Events
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The Howard County Board of Elections can assist your group or organization with Voter Outreach events, including voter registration drives and Election Judge recruitment. Click below to access the voter outreach request form for the State of Maryland.
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New Voting System Information
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Election Security
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For an overview of how we protect or election systems and data, Click Here
60 Minutes: When Russian hackers targeted the U.S. election infrastructure
For information on voter turnout and election results, visit the State Board of Elections Press Room: Recent Releases and Statistics
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Register to Vote
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Click below to go to the online Voter Registration system.
FAQs
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Who regulates campaign signs?
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The State Board does not have regulatory authority over the placement or location of campaign signs. However, there are State and local laws that regulate where and when you can put up campaign signs.
Placement of signs on State roads and highways is regulated by the State Highway Administration. For Howard County, contact the following District Office to obtain additional information:
5111 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
(301) 624-8122 or (800) 635-5119
Placement of signs on city and county roads and on public property in the cities and counties is regulated by local ordinances. According to Subtitle 5 - Signs, Section 3.503 - Exemptions of the Howard County Code of Ordinances:
(f) Political Campaign Signs. Signs announcing candidates seeking public political office and other data pertaining thereto shall be permitted up to a total area of nine square feet for each premises in a residential district and 32 square feet in a commercial or industrial district. These signs shall be located only on private property and shall be no less than 15 feet from the nearest edge of the pavement and no less than 100 feet from the nearest curb intersection of any street or road. These signs may be displayed 60 days prior to and seven days after the election for which intended. In cases where a final election follows within 75 days of a primary election, those candidates who won in the primary election may continue to display their signs during the interim period and up to seven days after the final election.
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Is it "legal" to have political signs with only a surname?
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It is acceptable for candidates to use any combination of their name on a political sign, as long as it appears on their Certificate of Candidacy. For example, John Smith can have signs that say: "Vote for John," "Vote for Smith," or "Vote for John Smith."
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I am a candidate for public office. Do I need a State permit to advertise?
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No. Political signs do not require a permit, but they may not be placed in the median or within SHA right-of-way, just as other signs are prohibited. Signs may not be posted more than 45 days prior to any election. Unsuccessful candidates in the primary election must remove their signs within 15 days after the primary. All signs must be removed within 15 days after the general election. Political signs are prohibited along interstate highways.
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When can I post my campaign signs at polling places?
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According to EL § 10-101(a)(3)(iii)(2) campaign signs can be posted at polling places, including Early Voting Centers, at 5:00 pm on the day before election day or the day before early voting starts. All campaign signs must be removed from polling places and Early Voting Centers by 8:00 am the day after election day or the day after early voting ends.
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Can I vote in a primary election if I'm not registered with one of the two major parties?
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Generally, you must be registered with either the Democratic or Republican party to vote in the primary election. If there are non-partisan offices that are elected in a primary election (i.e., school board), any voter can vote for these offices. Contact your local board of elections for additional information.