Counties administer and fund elections at the local level, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers every two years. Election workers work hard to ensure elections are accurate, safe, and accessible.
Today, local boards of elections across Maryland’s counties can begin opening, reviewing, and tabulating the more than 262,000 mail-in ballots that voters have already returned.
Maryland law mandates the canvassing process to begin eight days before Early Voting, which kicks off on October 23, 2024. Both Democratic and Republican representatives must observe the canvassing to ensure fairness and transparency throughout the process.
As more voters choose mail-in ballots, local boards need flexibility to meet critical certification deadlines and deliver meaningful results after polls close on Election Day. Boards canvass ballots before Election Day, but no results will be released until polls close at 8:00 pm on November 5.
Local boards may hold additional canvassing sessions after October 15, but none will occur on Election Day. The extended canvassing period allows boards to process every vote securely and accurately.
“Canvassing allows us to ensure every vote is counted transparently and securely,” said Jared DeMarinis, State Administrator of Elections. “The public can observe the process firsthand, and this canvassing period gives local boards the necessary time to process mail-in ballots properly.”
Local boards of elections have posted the dates, times, and locations on their websites for residents interested in observing the canvassing process. Transparency remains a priority, and residents are encouraged to visit their local board and watch this important part of the electoral process unfold.
