Federal law allows you to apply to
register to vote or update your voter information when you apply for or renew a
driver’s license, learner’s permit, or photo ID, or online with an address change transaction. Whether in-person or online, the process is electronic and paperless.
IMPORTANT: You are
not officially registered to vote until you receive a
voter registration card from your County Board of Elections. If you do not receive your card within
3 weeks, go to the
State Board of Elections Voter Lookup website or call
1-800-222-VOTE (8683) to check your status.
How to Apply to Register or Update Your Voter Information in Maryland
You can register or update your voter information:
What questions will I be asked when registering to vote during my MVA transaction?
The questions asked during your MVA transaction are prepared by the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) based on their voter application. What you are asked will depend on several factors, see below for what applies to your situation:
Already Registered to Vote in Maryland
- The first screen will ask you to confirm the address that you have on file with MVA is still the address you want to use for voting. The address will be visible on the screen for your review.
- Next, a new screen will display the current political party that SBE has on file for you. You will select if you want to change your party (yes or no). If you chose “yes” to selecting a new party, you will be able to make that change later in the transaction.
- The next screen will ask you if you need help at their polling place (yes or no).
- The next screen will ask you to confirm (yes or no) if you are a U.S. citizen.
- Once you confirm your party and your U.S. citizenship, you will be asked if you meet the following requirements:
- I am a US citizen;
- am a resident of Maryland;
- am at least 16 years old;
- I am not currently in a state or federal prison for a felony;
- I have never been convicted of buying or selling votes; AND
- I am not under guardianship for mental disability, or if I am, I have not been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote.
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If you agree with all of the citizenship requirement statements you will certify that you have read the statements, agree to the statements, and have completed the voter application to the best of your knowledge. You acknowledge that the electronic signature from your current or previous MVA product will be used to certify your voter registration application.
Remember: You are not registered to vote until you have received the voter registration card from your local board of elections.
New to Maryland Voter Registration (U.S. Citizen)
- The first screen will display that your name has NOT been found in the Maryland State Board of Elections file. The system will begin the application process by asking you to choose one of the following:
- Yes, I am a U.S. citizen. Register me to vote.
- No, do not use my information for voter registration.
- I am already registered to vote in Maryland.
- If you select yes that you would like to register, the next screen will ask you to confirm you meet the following requirements to vote:
- I am a US citizen;
- I am a resident of Maryland;
- I am at least 16 years old;
- I am not currently in a state or federal prison for a felony;
- I have never been convicted of buying or selling votes; AND
- I am not under guardianship for mental disability, or if I am, I have not been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote.
- If you agree with all the citizenship requirement statements you will be asked to register with a political party to take part in that political party’s primary election, caucus, or convention. You will then choose the party for the primary elections you want to vote in:
- Democratic Party
- Republican Party
- Green Party
- Working Class Party
- Unaffiliated – I don’t want to choose a political party
- Other – Please call the State Board of Elections at 1-800-222-8683 (VOTE) for instructions.
- The next screen will ask you if you need help at their polling place (yes or no).
- Finally, a summary screen will appear. The screen will ask you to certify that you have read the statements, agree to the statements, and have completed the voter application to the best of your knowledge.
Remember: You are not registered to vote until you have received the voter registration card from your local board of elections.
New to Maryland Voter Registration (Lawful Status)
If you are presenting documentation that demonstrates temporary lawful status such as a VISA or an Employment Authorization Document, you will not be asked any of these questions.
If you are presenting documentation that is not approved for a REAL ID and applying for a non-federally compliant ID, you will not be asked any of these questions.
Decline Voter Registration
- You will be asked to choose one of the following:
- Yes, I am a U.S. citizen. Register me to vote.
- No, do not use my information for voter registration.
- I am already registered to vote in Maryland.
- If you select “no” a summary screen will pop up with your selected option. You will be asked to certify that you have read the options and agree to the statements on the screen.
* Voter registration is voluntary and does not affect access to MVA services or benefits.*
