Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Maryland

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.

In order to get on the ballot in Maryland, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

  1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
  2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
  3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Maryland. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Maryland." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

DocumentIcon.jpg See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2024

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Maryland in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Maryland, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Maryland U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican N/A $290.00 2/9/2024 Source
Maryland U.S. Senate Non-principal party N/A $290.00 8/2/2024 Source
Maryland U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 $290.00 8/5/2024 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Maryland in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Maryland, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Maryland U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $100.00 2/9/2024 Source
Maryland U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of the eligible voters for the district $100.00 8/5/2024 Source


For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2022

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Maryland in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Maryland, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Maryland U.S. Senate Democratic or Republican N/A $290.00 4/15/2022 Source
Maryland U.S. Senate Non-principal party N/A $290.00 8/3/2022 Source
Maryland U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000, or 1% of the total number of voters who are eligible to vote for the office, whichever is less $290.00 8/3/2022 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Maryland in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Maryland, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Maryland U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $100.00 4/15/2022 Source
Maryland U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of the eligible voters for the district $100.00 8/3/2022 Source

Governor

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Maryland in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Maryland, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source Notes
Maryland Governor Democratic or Republican N/A $290.00 4/15/2022 Source
Maryland Governor Unaffiliated 10,000 $290.00 8/3/2022 Source

2020

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Maryland in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Maryland, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Maryland 1st Congressional District Principal parties N/A N/A $100.00 Fixed number 1/24/2020 Source
Maryland 2nd Congressional District Principal parties N/A N/A $100.00 Fixed number 1/24/2020 Source
Maryland 3rd Congressional District Principal parties N/A N/A $100.00 Fixed number 1/24/2020 Source
Maryland 4th Congressional District Principal parties N/A N/A $100.00 Fixed number 1/24/2020 Source
Maryland 5th Congressional District Principal parties N/A N/A $100.00 Fixed number 1/24/2020 Source
Maryland 6th Congressional District Principal parties N/A N/A $100.00 Fixed number 1/24/2020 Source
Maryland 7th Congressional District Principal parties N/A N/A $100.00 Fixed number 1/24/2020 Source
Maryland 8th Congressional District Principal parties N/A N/A $100.00 Fixed number 1/24/2020 Source
Maryland 1st Congressional District Unaffiliated 2,653 1% of the eligible voters for the district (reduced by 50% by judge's order) $100.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
Maryland 2nd Congressional District Unaffiliated 2,459 1% of the eligible voters for the district (reduced by 50% by judge's order) $100.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
Maryland 3rd Congressional District Unaffiliated 2,628 1% of the eligible voters for the district (reduced by 50% by judge's order) $100.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
Maryland 4th Congressional District Unaffiliated 2,575 1% of the eligible voters for the district (reduced by 50% by judge's order) $100.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
Maryland 5th Congressional District Unaffiliated 2,763 1% of the eligible voters for the district (reduced by 50% by judge's order) $100.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
Maryland 6th Congressional District Unaffiliated 2,607 1% of the eligible voters for the district (reduced by 50% by judge's order) $100.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
Maryland 7th Congressional District Unaffiliated 2,532 1% of the eligible voters for the district (reduced by 50% by judge's order) $100.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source
Maryland 8th Congressional District Unaffiliated 2,748 1% of the eligible voters for the district (reduced by 50% by judge's order) $100.00 Fixed number 8/3/2020 Source

2018

See also: State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018 and Maryland elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

February 27, 2018

2016

See also: Maryland elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in Maryland in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline Event type Event description
February 3, 2016 Ballot access Candidate filing deadline for major party candidates (Democrats and Republicans)
February 3, 2016 Ballot access Deadline for non-principal party candidates to file declarations of intent and statements of organization
February 3, 2016 Ballot access Deadline for petition candidates to file declarations of intent and statements of organization
March 1, 2016 Campaign finance Pre-Primary Report 1 due
March 25, 2016 Campaign finance Pre-Primary Report 2 due
April 19, 2016 Campaign finance Spring Report due
April 26, 2016 Election date Primary election
August 1, 2016 Ballot access Deadline for non-principal party candidates to file certificates of nomination, financial disclosure forms and filing fees
August 1, 2016 Ballot access Deadline for petition candidates to file petitions, financial disclosure forms and filing fees
August 30, 2016 Campaign finance Pre-General Report 1 due
October 20, 2016 Ballot access Filing deadline for write-in candidates
October 28, 2016 Campaign finance Pre-General Report 2 due
November 8, 2016 Election date General election
November 22, 2016 Campaign finance Post-General Report due
January 18, 2017 Campaign finance 2017 Annual Report due
Sources: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Candidacy Introduction," accessed June 12, 2015
Maryland State Board of Elections, "Reporting Schedule," accessed June 12, 2015

2015


2014


Process to become a candidate

First page of Maryland's "Certificate of Nomination or Designation" form, 2013

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Election Law, Title 5 of the Annotated Code of Maryland

For principal party candidates

A candidate for federal, statewide, or state legislative office seeking the nomination of a principal political party in a primary election must submit to the Maryland State Board of Elections a certificate of candidacy, which notes the office being sought, the year of the election, the name and address of the candidate, and includes a statement verifying that the candidate satisfies the legal requirements for candidacy for the office being sought. A candidate for statewide or state legislative office must also submit a financial disclosure form to the Maryland State Ethics Commission.[4][5]

A principal party candidate must pay a filing fee. Fees vary according to the office being sought and are established by statute. Fees are detailed in the table below.[6]

Filing fees for principal party candidates
Office sought Filing fee
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, United States Senator, Comptroller of the Treasury, Attorney General $290
United States Representative $100
Member of the General Assembly $50

All required paperwork and filing fees must be submitted to the appropriate office by 9 p.m. on the last Tuesday in February of the election year. It should be noted that the certificate of candidacy must be submitted in person (or by certified mail, personal messenger, or delivery service if the candidate is unable to file in person due to illness, military service, or temporary absence from the state).[4][7]

For non-principal party candidates

Non-principal party candidates file paperwork in two phases. First, a candidate must submit a declaration of intent to the Maryland State Board of Elections. This form must be filed by the last Tuesday in February of the election year. A filing fee does not have to be paid at this time.[4][8]

By 5 p.m. on the first Monday in August of the election year, the candidate must submit to the Maryland State Board of Elections a certificate of nomination signed by the officers of the candidate's party (non-principal parties may determine for themselves the methods by which they nominate candidates). The candidate must also submit at this time the same financial disclosure form as principal party candidates. Non-principal party candidates must likewise pay the same filing fees as principal party candidates.[4][8]

For independent candidates

Independent candidates file paperwork in two phases. First, a candidate must submit a declaration of intent to the Maryland State Board of Elections. This form must be filed no later than the first Monday in July.[4][9][10]

By 5 p.m. on the first Monday in August of the election year, the candidate must submit a certificate of candidacy to the Maryland State Board of Elections and a financial disclosure form to the Maryland State Ethics Commission. The candidate must also submit to the Maryland State Board of Elections a petition signed by either 10,000 registered voters, or 1 percent of the total number of voters who are eligible to vote for the office being sought by the candidate, whichever is less. Independent candidates must also pay the same filing fees as party candidates.[4][9]

For write-in candidates

A write-in candidate for either the primary or general election who intends to have his or her votes tallied must file a certificate of candidacy and a financial disclosure form. The deadline for filing these materials with the appropriate office is the earlier of the following:[7]

  • seven days after a total expenditure of at least $51 is made to promote the candidacy by the candidate's campaign finance entity
  • 5 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding the day of the election

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Election Law, Title 6 of the Annotated Code of Maryland

In some cases, political parties and/or candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain access to the ballot. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in Maryland.

Format requirements

Forms for all petitions are prescribed by and can be obtained from the Maryland State Board of Elections. Each page of a petition containing signatures must include an affidavit by the circulator verifying that he or she personally witnessed each signature.[11][12]

Signature requirements

In addition to his or her signature, a petition signer must include his or her printed name, a, addressnd the date signed. Signers must be registered voters of the county specified on the signature page.[12]

Circulation requirements

Circulators must be at least 18 years old when signatures are made to the petition. No residency requirement for circulators is established in the relevant state statutes.[12]


Election administration agencies

Election agencies

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Maryland can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Maryland Local Boards of Election

Click here for a list

Maryland State Board of Elections

Physical Address: 151 West Street, Suite 200
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6486
Annapolis, MD 21401-0486
Phone: 410-269-2840
Toll free: 800-222-8683
Fax: 410-974-2019
Email: info.sbe@maryland.gov
Website: http://www.elections.state.md.us/

Secretary of State

16 Francis St.
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone: 410-974-5521
Fax: 410-974-5190
Email: dlWebmaster_sos@maryland.gov
Website: https://sos.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Maryland State Ethics Commission

45 Calvert Street, Third Floor
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone: 410–260–7770
Toll free: 1–877–669–6085
Fax: 410–260–7746
Email: Jennifer.Allgair@Maryland.gov
Website: http://ethics.maryland.gov/

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
Website: https://www.eac.gov


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Term limits

State executives

See also: Maryland state executive official elections, 2014, State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits
State Executive Officials

Gubernatorial term limits are established in Article 2, Section 1, of the Maryland Constitution. State executive term limits in Maryland are as follows:

  • The governor is limited to two successive terms.[13]
  • The lieutenant governor may serve a total of two terms with the current governor. There is no specific limit on how many terms one may serve as lieutenant governor in Maryland.
  • The attorney general has no term limits.
  • The state treasurer is elected by the General Assembly and has no term limits.
  • The state comptroller is not subject to term limits.

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits

There are no term limits for Maryland state legislators.

Congressional partisanship

Portal:Legislative Branch
See also: List of United States Representatives from Maryland and List of United States Senators from Maryland

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Maryland.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Maryland
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 2 7 9
Republican 0 1 1
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 8 10

State legislative partisanship

Portal:State legislatures

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Maryland.

Maryland State Senate

Party As of July 2024
     Democratic Party 34
     Republican Party 13
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 47

Maryland House of Delegates

Party As of July 2024
     Democratic Party 101
     Republican Party 39
     Other 0
     Vacancies 1
Total 141

Related legislation

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The embedded table below lists state bills affecting ballot access requirements for candidates introduced in Maryland. The following information is included for each bill:

  • State
  • Bill number
  • Official name or caption
  • Most recent action date
  • Legislative status
  • Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, simply click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia’s comprehensive Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker is the basis for this data. This user-friendly tracker covers thousands of election-related bills in state legislatures, and organizes them by topic with neutral, expert analysis from Ballotpedia’s election administration researchers.

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See also

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External links

Official state and federal links

Other information

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Elections by Year," accessed February 9, 2015
  2. ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Candidacy," accessed February 11, 2014
  3. ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Candidacy and Campaign Finance Legislative Update," September 24, 2014
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Annotated Code of Maryland, "Election Law, Title 5, Subtitle 3, Section 304," accessed February 12, 2014
  5. ↑ Maryland State Ethics Commission, "State Employees/Officials," accessed February 12, 2014
  6. ↑ Annotated Code of Maryland, "Election Law, Title 5, Subtitle 4, Section 401," accessed February 12, 2014
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Annotated Code of Maryland, "Election Law, Title 5, Subtitle 3, Section 303," accessed February 12, 2014
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Annotated Code of Maryland, "Election Law, Title 5, Subtitle 7, Section 703.1," accessed February 12, 2014
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Annotated Code of Maryland, "Election Law, Title 5, Subtitle 7, Section 703," accessed February 12, 2014
  10. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Maryland Deadline Victory Confirmed," September 23, 2016
  11. ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Petitions and Candidacy," accessed February 12, 2014
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Annotated Code of Maryland, "Election Law, Title 6, Subtitle 2, Section 204," accessed February 12, 2014
  13. ↑ Maryland Constitution, "Article 2, Section 1," accessed February 11, 2014
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