Voter Smarts Guide 2022 – Make your engaged citizen action plan!
The 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.
REGISTER TO VOTE
Marylanders may register to vote online, by mail, or in person during early voting or on election day. Voter registration is the first step for any means of voting.
- Voter Lookup – Check your voter registration status and information
- Register to vote online or update your registration for name/address changes via Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR)
- Register to vote by mail – download, print, complete, sign, and mail in:
- in English (PDF)
- en español (PDF), con instrucciones
- en français (PDF)
- 繁體中文 (PDF)
- 简体中文 (PDF)
- 한국어 (PDF)
Howard County residents can mail applications to:
Howard County Board of Elections
9770 Patuxent Woods Dr, Suite 200
Columbia, MD 21046
- Howard County residents call (410) 313-5820 to request a voter registration application to be mailed to you from the Howard County Board of Elections office
- More information about Same-Day In-Person Voter Registration at the Maryland State Board of Elections website
- The deadline to register to vote ahead of the election is Tuesday, October 18, 2022 for the Gubernatorial General Election.
MAIL-IN VOTING
Important Note: Any registered voter may choose to vote in person or by mail-in ballot. Mail-in ballots will NOT be sent automatically and need to be requested. More information and instructions about mail-in voting at the Maryland State Board of Elections website.
- Request a mail-in ballot online if you are already registered to vote and have a Maryland driver’s license or MVA-issued ID card
- Request a mail-in ballot by mail, fax, or email by printing a paper application:
- Request a mail-in ballot in person at the local board of elections office (Deadline: Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022, 8 pm)
Howard County Board of Elections
9770 Patuxent Woods Dr, Suite 200
Columbia, MD 21046
** If you want to receive your ballot by mail or fax, your request must be received (not just sent) by Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
**If you want to receive your ballot via the internet,* your request must be received (not just sent) by Friday, November 4, 2022. *Please note that a ballot received via the internet must still be returned by hand, by mail, or dropped at a ballot drop off box.
IMPORTANT DATES & LOCATIONS
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
- Last day for voter registration by mail (postmarked)
- Last day for voter registration online (until 11:59 PM)
- Same-Day Voter Registration also available during early voting and on Election Day.**
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
- Last day to request a mail-in ballot to be sent to you by mail or fax. Your request must be received (not just mailed) by this date.
- 8:00 PM if the request is received by mail
- 11:59 PM if the request is received by fax/email/online
Friday, November 4, 2022
- Last day to request a mail-in ballot to be sent to you via email.
Thursday, October 27, 2022 – Thursday, November 3, 2022
- Early Voting – 2022 Gubernatorial General Election
- Early Voting Centers open 7 am – 8 pm each day
- Any Howard County voter can vote at any Howard County Early Voting Center. Howard County Early Voting Center Locations
- Mail-in ballots can be delivered to any early voting center in the county in which you live during early voting
- Same-day voter registration is available in person
Tuesday, November 8
- Election Day – 2022 Gubernatorial General Election
- Polling places open 7 am – 8 pm
- Find your assigned voting location for in-person voting using the online Polling Place Lookup tool and the Howard County Election Day Polling Places Map
- Same-Day Voter Registration is available in person
- Polling places open 7 am – 8 pm
- Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before this date.
- OR Mail-in ballots must be hand delivered by 8 pm to your local board of elections, any polling place in the county in which you live on election day, or a designated ballot drop off box. View Howard County Drop Box Locations
VOTING TIPS & ACCESSIBILITY
Access by Voters with Disabilities – Accessibility information for in-person and mail-in voting.
Election Day Questions – Find answers to questions like “Can I use my phone while voting?” or “Can I bring children with me to vote?” or “I’m a first-time voter, do I need to bring an ID?”
Learn About Maryland’s Voting System – FAQs about Maryland’s voter-verifiable paper record voting system and procedures for in-person voting.
CANDIDATES / BALLOT MEASURES
2022 Gubernatorial General Candidate Listings– Updated regularly by the Maryland State Board of Elections.
2022 Statewide Ballot Measures – There are five Constitutional Amendments that will appear statewide on the November 8, 2022 general election ballots.
2020 Local Ballot Measures – There is one local ballot question for Howard County (scroll to page 23).
INFORMED VOTER RESOURCES & GUIDES
VOTE411 Voters’ Guide – Published by the League of Women Voters of Maryland, a nonpartisan political organization that provides information about candidates on your ballot and their positions on issues.
Project Vote Smart – A nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that compiles information on candidates for public office. Find data on positions, voting record, public statements, and ratings.
Student Voting Guide – A nonpartisan guide designed by BestColleges.com for college students. Includes a key issues guide tailored to young Americans and links to voting tools and resources.
ProCon.org – Compare the pros and cons of current issues using this nonpartisan resource. Many perspectives on each topic are researched and compiled using rigorous editorial standards from the Britannica Group.
SIRS Issues Researcher – Learn about the many sides of important issues and explore hot topics in society through articles that are presented in a pro/con format. From the link, select “Homework Assistance & Tutoring” and then select “SIRS Issues Researcher.” Enter your HCLS card number and PIN to access this resource outside an HCLS Branch. If you need a library card, click here.
Books and films about the history of voting in the HCLS collection
Books and films about the history of women in politics in the HCLS collection
HCLS books, films, and more about voting for Children, Teens, and Adults
CLASSES & EVENTS
Tuesday, November 8 at 1 pm: Let’s Talk About Voting (ages 6-10) at HCLS Elkridge Branch. Did you know that kids can vote, too? Find out how kids can vote any day – or every day! – and other important things kids can do during election season. Enjoy fun stories, crafts, and a chance to vote. 45 min.
FACT CHECKING
Rumor Control for the 2022 Election – An extensive list of voting rumors about everything from election security to social media. Fact-checked by the Maryland State Board of Elections.
FactCheck.org– Nonpartisan, nonprofit advocate for voters that helps to “monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases.”
Politifact – A fact-checking website with a rigorous and transparent process used to independently scrutinize claims by political officials, candidates, campaigns, and media.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Federal Election Commission – Official United States Government website that tracks campaign finance data and donations. Also provides legal information and guides for candidates and committees.
Campaign Finance Database – Maryland resource for information about campaign and committee contributions and expenditures.
GOVERNMENT SITES
Howard County Board of Elections – Official website of the local Board of Elections serving Howard County. Information for voters, prospective candidates, and election judges.
Maryland State Board of Elections – The comprehensive resource on Maryland election rules, practices, and records. Also offers information for individuals interested in running for elected office.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – The national independent bipartisan commission that promotes effective systems and practices for federal elections, and provides voter resources.
POLITICAL PARTIES
- Democratic Party
(National website | Maryland website | Howard County website) - Republican Party
(National website | Maryland website | Howard County website) - Bread and Roses Party
(National website) - Green Party
(National website) - Libertarian Party
(National website) - The Working Class Party
(National website)
This page is compiled and maintained by the Howard County Library System. Links to political parties and/or campaign websites are for informational purposes only and do not in any way constitute an endorsement.
