Maryland civic guide
The laws and deadlines that matter when you want to change something in Maryland: how to get public records, how public meetings work, and how to vote.
Your 2026 election
General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Register by
- Online Oct 13 · Mail postmarked Oct 13 · In person Oct 13
- Same-day registration
- Yes, during early voting and on Election Day
- Early voting
- Oct 22–29, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Statewide ballot measures
- 3 on the ballot
- Require the governor's budget to fund state employee labor agreements, including arbitrated ones
- Allow temporary substitute members on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities
- Change rules for congressional districts and court review of district maps
Titles as listed by official sources. Read the full text and the official summary before you vote.
Public records
Anyone can ask a government agency for copies of its records. You usually don't have to say why.
- Law
- Maryland Public Information Act
- Citation
- Md. Code, Gen. Prov. §§ 4-101 to 4-601
- First response deadline
- Grant/deny within 30 days; written notice within 10 working days if production takes longer
Open meetings
Most government boards must meet in public and post notice ahead of time.
- Law
- Open Meetings Act
- Citation
- Md. Code, Gen. Prov. §§ 3-101 to 3-501
Recording conversations
All-party consent for private conversations (Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 10-402); felony
This is about recording conversations. Recording officials in public is a separate question that courts decide case by case.
More to know
- Pre-registration age (sign up before 18)
- Age 16
- Ballot initiatives
- Limited. Citizens can petition to send a law the legislature passed to a public vote, but can't propose new ones.
What's bugging you in Maryland?
Pick an issue and we'll show you who handles it and help you write to them.
Start on Civic Ladder →Learn the skillsSources
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ggp§ion=4-203&enactments=false
- https://oag.maryland.gov/resources-info/Pages/maryland-open-meetings-act.aspx
- https://justia.com/50-state-surveys/recording-phone-calls-and-conversations
- https://ballotpedia.org/States_with_initiative_or_referendum
- https://www.elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/ballot_questions.html
- https://www.wmar2news.com/politics/key-deadlines-ahead-of-the-2026-general-election
General civic information, not legal advice. Laws and deadlines change; confirm with the official office. Election details as researched 2026-10-17.