Thousands of Maryland voters who requested mail-in ballots for the June 23 gubernatorial primary will receive replacement ballots after the Maryland State Board of Elections identified a vendor printing error that led some voters to receive the wrong party ballot.

Because election officials could not determine with certainty which voters received correct ballots and which did not, the State Board decided to issue replacement ballots to everyone who received mailed ballots during the affected period.

The issue has generated questions about who handles Maryland’s mail-in ballot process and what role county governments play.

The Maryland State Board of Elections created a dedicated webpage with voter updates, replacement ballot information, timelines, and frequently asked questions for affected voters.

The short answer: county governments do not print, mail, replace, or oversee mail-in ballots.

Here’s a quick breakdown of who does what.

Q: Do county governments print, mail, or replace mail-in ballots?

No. Counties fund local boards of elections and support election administration at the local level. But county governments themselves do not print, mail, replace, or oversee mail-in ballots. Maryland operates elections through a statewide structure, with the State Board of Elections managing statewide processes such as mail-in ballot production and vendor oversight.

Q: Do county governments decide who receives a replacement ballot?

No. The Maryland State Board of Elections made that determination after identifying issues with the vendor mailing process. SBE directed the replacement effort statewide.

Q: Do counties oversee the vendor involved in this issue?

No. The State Board of Elections contracts with and oversees the vendor that handles statewide mail-in ballot services. Counties do not manage that contract.

Q: What role do local boards of elections play?

County governments fund local boards of elections, which administer elections and support voters. Still, they operate within Maryland’s statewide election framework and follow procedures established by the State Board of Elections.

Q: Who should voters contact with questions about replacement ballots?

Voters should contact their local board of elections or consult information provided directly by the Maryland State Board of Elections. SBE created a dedicated webpage and outreach process for affected voters.

Q: Is this a county government issue?

No. Counties do not run this process. The issue stems from a statewide vendor printing error tied to Maryland’s mail-in ballot system. County governments do not administer or control decisions regarding the production or replacement of mail-in ballots.

Q: Will election officials still count only one ballot per voter?

Yes. The Maryland State Board of Elections has stated that existing safeguards already prevent duplicate voting and ensure that only the correct ballot counts for each voter. SBE noted that the replacement process does not create a risk of individual voters casting multiple ballots because election officials track and validate ballots through procedures built into Maryland’s election system. The State Board indicated that replacement ballots and envelopes will include specific identifiers and instructions to ensure the correct ballot moves through the process and gets counted.

What Happens Next?

For more information on replacement ballots, voter notifications, timelines, and frequently asked questions, voters can visit the Maryland State Board of Elections replacement ballot webpage or contact their local board of elections directly. The State Board will also notify affected voters by postcard, email, and text messages, where available.