A new Washington Post-University of Maryland poll reveals strong public support for shifting from neighborhood-based polling places to countywide voting centers — a change that could reshape how Marylanders cast their ballots on Election Day.

According to the poll conducted in January 2025, about 60% of Maryland voters prefer fewer, better-staffed countywide voting hubs over traditional precinct-based voting. This shift in voter preference follows broader changes in voting behavior that emerged during the pandemic and appear to have persisted even as public health concerns have eased.

Voters Want More Flexibility

Maryland allows voters to cast ballots at any county voting center during early voting. However, most residents must still report to their assigned local precinct on Election Day. The survey data suggests a growing preference for a more flexible model — extending early voting rules through Election Day by allowing all voters to choose from multiple countywide locations.

Support for this model cuts across regions, party affiliation, and racial demographics. In particular, according to the poll, voters in Prince George’s County and Baltimore, where local election officials face significant logistical demands, showed high levels of support for countywide centers.

Context and Current Law

The shift in public opinion reflects long-term changes in how Marylanders vote. In 2016, over 60% of voters used neighborhood precincts. By the 2024 presidential election, that number had fallen to just over 40%, with more voters using early voting, mail-in ballots, or vote centers.

During the 2020 general election, Maryland temporarily adopted a vote center model statewide as part of its response to the pandemic. That experience may have reshaped public expectations — with voters now favoring convenience, accessibility, and consistent voting options regardless of method or day.

Policy Implications

This data comes as election officials and lawmakers assess the long-term structure of Maryland’s voting systems. The poll indicates public interest in expanding the vote center model — potentially replacing the longstanding precinct model on Election Day with a streamlined, countywide approach.

However, the shift would raise operational and policy considerations. Ensuring equitable access for voters with limited transportation, coordinating real-time voter check-in systems, and maintaining secure and efficient ballot processing require careful attention.

MACo continues to advocate for local flexibility and resources to meet evolving voter needs. County governments — which administer elections through local boards — remain central to ensuring that chanto voting systems balance accessibility, cost, security, and voter confidence.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.