Maryland voters head to the polls as early voting turnout breaks records
BALTIMORE -- Maryland voters lined up at their polling locations on Tuesday to cast their ballots for the 2024 presidential election, along with other municipal and state issues and races.
It will be a while before we know the overall voter turnout, but in Maryland, the numbers are already trending higher than the 2020 election when about 75% of eligible voters submitted their ballots.
Voters say they are being driven to the polls for many reasons, most notably the intense race for the White House and a competitive U.S. Senate race.
State election records show that more than 1.5 million Marylanders voted early or mailed in their ballots, representing 38% of registered voters. The final day of early voting saw the largest turnout across the state.
"We have rights"
A steady flow of voters cast their ballots Tuesday afternoon outside of Elkridge Elementary School and Elkridge Landing Middle School.
"I don't care what people are voting for, who they're voting for, you have to vote," voter George Scott said. "That's a right we have. I have a lot of things to do today, but this day is important to me."
"We have rights and we fought to have the right to vote," voter Veronica Jones said. "I feel like if we don't participate then we can't complain."
Kynia Singletary, a Gen Z voter, said it's important for her peers to vote in this important election.
"At the end of the day, we're the ones who are gonna reap the long-term repercussions, as well as the next generation," Singletary said. "I think it's amazing to see what's going on and the change we can make if everyone comes out to vote."
Polls in Maryland were open until 8 p.m.
To vote, you'll need to go to your assigned polling place.
Maryland early voting turnout
According to the State Board of Elections, smaller counties like Calvert, Queen Anne's, and Talbot had the highest early voting turnout, with roughly one-third of voters heading to the polls.
Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and Howard counties fall somewhere in the middle, with just about one-quarter of voters having already cast their ballots.
Baltimore City had the lowest turnout, at 13%.
Already, though, numbers for the general election have surpassed those of the primary election in May.
The mail-in ballots must be postmarked or taken to a ballot dropbox Tuesday.