Voting is the most important right of citizenship in a Democracy – it can change the debate and impact outcomes – and every vote counts!
Page Contents
Election Day
The next statewide election is in 2026. This will be a Gubernatorial election. Offices on the ballot will include Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General, U.S. Senator, U. S. Congressional Representative, State Senators and Delegates, County Executive and Council members, Circuit Court Judges, Clerk of the Court, States Attorney, Register of Wills, Sheriff, Party Central Committee, and Board of Education.
Primary Election: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Polling Locations
There are two polling locations on the Riderwood campus. Half of Riderwood is in Montgomery County and the other half is in Prince Georges County.
Montgomery County:
Precinct 05-04: 3120 Gracefield Road (Maryland Hall, Montgomery Station)
Prince Georges County:
Precinct 01-007: 3138 Gracefield Road (Wellness Center)
Voter Registration
In Maryland, your voter registration is permanent as long as you keep your Maryland address current.
How Do I Register
If you have moved to Riderwood and not yet updated your voter registration, you can
- Register Online if you have a valid Maryland driver’s license or Maryland-issued identification card, or
- Download a voter registration application (English or Spanish) in PDF format, complete and sign it, and return the original by mail or in person to the Board of Elections (address on the back of the form).
Voter registration closes 21 days before an election. If you miss that deadline you can register for the first time (with appropriate identification) and/or change your name or address during Early Voting. You cannot change your party affiliation during Early Voting.
Should I Register With a Party?
Party affiliation is your choice. Because Maryland uses a closed primary, only voters who are registered as Democrats 21 days before the primary can vote for Democratic candidates and only voters who are registered as Republicans 21 days before the primary can vote for Republican candidates. Voters who are affiliated with other parties or have no party affiliation (Unaffiliated) can vote only for the nonpartisan Board of Education offices in the Primary Election.
In the November General Election, all registered voters may vote for any candidate or ballot issue.
Check or change your party affiliation click here .
Three Ways to Vote:
Method One: Mail-in Voting
Any registered voter in Maryland may vote by mail-in ballot. You don’t need a reason to vote by mail-in ballot. Vote from the convenience of your home and on your own schedule.
You must request a mail-in ballot by completing a mail-in ballot application. You can also indicate if you want to be on the Permanent Mail-In Ballot list for all future elections.
Mail-in ballot REPLACEMENT information.
Then, before the election,
1. Look for an envelope with the official election mail logo.
2. When you get your ballot, vote your ballot by marking your choices and return the ballot as soon as you can, following the instructions provided in your packet. Remember to sign and date the Voter’s oath on the return envelope.
3. Return your ballot – by U.S. mail, deposit in a DROP BOX on the Riderwood campus, bring it to an Early Voting Center in the county in which you are registered, or bring it to your precinct polling place or the Board of Elections on Election Day.
Mail in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, deposited in a DROP BOX by 8:00pm on Election Day, or hand delivered to your precinct polling place or the Board of Elections by 8:00pm on Election Day.
NOTE: If you change your mind and decide to vote in person instead, you will have to complete a form to vote a provisional ballot at your polling place or an early voting center. Provisional ballots are counted after the local board of elections confirms that the voter did not return any other ballot.
Drop boxes for statewide elections are installed a few weeks before the election in the following locations at Riderwood:
Prince George’s County Drop Box: On the sidewalk outside of the Wellness Center (3138 Gracefield Road).
The slot is now open for mail-in ballots and will remain so until 8 PM Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Montgomery County Drop Box: in Montgomery Station (MST) Lobby (3120 Gracefield Road) across from Reception Desk (note Library books behind).
The slot is now open for mail-in ballots and will remain so until 8 PM Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
The Drop Boxes are emptied twice a day by an Election Official; if you inadvertently use the wrong drop box, no worries, it will be sent to the proper county.
Method Two: Vote in person during Early Voting
Early Voting Centers are open from 7am-8pm for an eight day period before election day.
Early Voting Dates
Primary Election – Thursday, June 11, 2026 – Thursday, June 18, 2026
General Election – Thursday, October 22, 2026 – Thursday, October 29, 2026
Early Voting locations closest to Riderwood for 2026 are:
If you choose to vote at another location, here are the choices for each county:
Same-day registration: Citizens who have not already registered to vote in Maryland may register for the first time, declare a party affiliation, and vote the same day at Early Voting, provided they bring identification, including proof of residency. To prove where you live, bring your MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, or your paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and new address. Details here.
Registered voters can update their name or address at early voting, but cannot change their party affiliation.
Method Three: Vote in person on Election Day at your assigned precinct polling place
See information above for location of polling places on the Riderwood campus.
Same-day registration: Citizens who have not already registered to vote in Maryland may register for the first time, declare a party affiliation and vote the same day on Election Day, provided they bring identification including proof of residency. To prove where you live, bring your MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, or your paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and new address. See details under The Registration Process.
LWV Voters’ Guides – New
VOTE411 is an interactive guide accessed from a website on a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. Enter your address and VOTE411 displays all of the offices and candidates that will be on your ballot.
The other LWV guides provide non-partisan election information for each County. Check your voter registration, find your polling place, learn about candidates, and more.
Updated 5/28/2026