What Early Voting Is and How It Works in Baltimore
Early voting allows Baltimore residents to cast their ballots before Election Day at designated voting locations throughout the city. Instead of going to your assigned polling place on Election Day (the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November), you can vote during a specific early voting period that typically lasts about two weeks before the election.
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In Maryland, early voting has been available since 2010 and has grown significantly. During the 2020 presidential election, over 500,000 Maryland residents cast early votes, representing about 29% of all votes in the state. In Baltimore specifically, early voting locations are spread across all Council districts to make voting more accessible to residents.
The early voting period generally runs from the second Monday before Election Day through the Sunday before Election Day. This means you have roughly 10 days to vote early, with specific hours each day. Unlike absentee voting (which requires a mail-in ballot), early voting is in-person and happens at physical polling locations where you can cast your vote directly.
When you vote early, you use the same voting equipment and process as Election Day voters. You'll check in at the location, confirm your registration information, and then mark your ballot. The vote counts the same way as an Election Day vote. Early voting ballots are secure and are not separated from Election Day ballots in terms of how they're counted.
Practical takeaway: Early voting provides flexibility for working people, those with transportation challenges, or anyone who prefers to vote before Election Day. Understanding that early voting is an in-person process using official ballots helps you plan when and where to cast your vote.
Early Voting Locations and Hours in Baltimore
Baltimore City offers multiple early voting sites to make voting more convenient for residents. The exact number and locations of early voting sites can vary by election, but the city typically opens between 10 and 15 locations spread throughout different neighborhoods. These sites are placed strategically to reduce travel time and serve residents across all parts of the city.
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Early voting locations are generally open for at least 10 days before Election Day, with hours typically running from around 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and extended hours on weekends. Some locations may have slightly different hours, so checking your specific site's schedule is important. Weekend hours are particularly valuable for people who work traditional Monday through Friday jobs, as they allow voting without needing time off work.
To find your nearest early voting location, you can visit the Baltimore City Board of Elections website or call their office at 410-396-8864. You can vote at any early voting location in Baltimore City—you do not have to go to your assigned Election Day polling place. This flexibility means you can choose the location most convenient to you, whether that's near your home, workplace, or somewhere else you travel regularly.
Previous elections in Baltimore have shown that certain locations experience higher traffic during peak hours. Mid-day voting (around 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and weekday mornings tend to be less busy than evening hours and weekends. If you prefer shorter wait times, planning your visit during off-peak hours can make the process faster.
Practical takeaway: Research your nearby early voting locations before the early voting period begins, note the hours of operation, and consider visiting during less busy times to minimize wait times. Remember that you can vote at any Baltimore City early voting location, not just one near your home.
What You Need to Bring to Vote Early
When you go to vote early in Baltimore, you'll need to bring identification. Maryland law requires you to present a valid form of ID to vote. This requirement helps confirm your identity and prevent fraud. Understanding what forms of identification are accepted can help you prepare and avoid any delays at the polling place.
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Acceptable forms of ID in Maryland include: a driver's license, passport, state ID card, federal employee ID, military ID, Social Security card, student ID from an accredited Maryland educational institution, or a utility bill or lease agreement with your name and current address. You don't need a photo ID—a utility bill or lease is sufficient. If you don't have any of these forms of identification, you can still vote, but you'll need to sign an affidavit confirming your identity.
Your ID does not need to show your current address. If you've recently moved within Baltimore City but haven't updated your driver's license address yet, you can still vote using your old ID. However, you should update your voter registration before voting to reflect your current address. Updating your registration is separate from showing ID at the polls—registration changes should be made beforehand through the Baltimore City Board of Elections.
Bring only what you need. You don't need to bring voter guides, sample ballots, or any other materials. Polling places provide everything you'll need to vote. If you do bring a ballot guide or information about candidates, you can bring it with you to reference, but poll workers may ask you not to show it to other voters.
Practical takeaway: Gather one acceptable form of ID before you go to vote early—a driver's license, passport, utility bill, or lease agreement all work. This simple step ensures a smooth voting experience and keeps the process moving quickly.
Steps for Voting Early in Baltimore
The early voting process in Baltimore follows straightforward steps. When you arrive at an early voting location, you'll first check in with poll workers. Tell them your name, and they'll look up your voter registration in their system. They'll ask you to confirm information like your address and date of birth. This verification ensures they have the correct voter record and that you're registered in Baltimore City.
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After checking in, you'll be asked to show your identification. As noted earlier, this can be a driver's license, utility bill, lease, student ID, or other acceptable forms. The poll worker will examine it to verify your identity, then hand you a ballot. In Baltimore, you'll typically receive a paper ballot that you can mark by hand or use a marking device to mark your choices clearly.
You'll then move to a voting booth—a private space where you can mark your ballot without others seeing your choices. Take your time reviewing the ballot. It will show races for various offices depending on the type of election. In presidential election years, you'll see a race for president. In other years, you may see races for mayor, city council, state representatives, judges, or other offices. Some elections also include ballot questions or propositions for you to consider.
After you've marked all your choices, you'll cast your ballot. In many Baltimore locations, this means feeding your paper ballot into a scanning machine, which records your vote electronically and securely stores your ballot. The machine typically shows a confirmation that your ballot has been counted. If you make a mistake while marking your ballot, you can request a new one—simply ask a poll worker and they'll give you a fresh ballot at no cost.
Practical takeaway: Arrive with your ID, check in with poll workers, receive your ballot, mark it privately, and cast it in the official machine. The entire process typically takes 5 to 20 minutes depending on wait times. Don't hesitate to ask poll workers if you have questions about how to mark your ballot or use the voting equipment.
Understanding Your Ballot and Races in Baltimore
Your early voting ballot in Baltimore will show races and questions relevant to your specific election. It's worth spending time learning about what will appear on your ballot before you vote, so you can make informed decisions. The Baltimore City Board of Elections publishes sample ballots online several weeks before each election, showing you exactly what races and questions will appear.
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In presidential election years, your ballot will include the race for president and vice president. You'll also see races for U.S. Senate (if that's an election year), U.S. House of Representatives, Maryland State Senate, Maryland House of Delegates, and Baltimore City Council members. The specific races depend on which districts you live in and what offices have elections that year. For example, you only vote for City Council members who represent your district, not all Council members.
In non-presidential years, you may vote for mayor, comptroller, and other city offices. The City of Baltimore holds mayoral elections every four years in years that are not divisible by four (meaning 2019, 2023, 2027, and so on). City Council members serve four-year terms with elections staggered so that not all seats are up at the same time.
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