Early voting ends with light turnout at polls, thousands of mail-in ballots so far

by William J. Ford, Maryland Matters
June 19, 2026

Most of the people who strolled in to the South County Senior Activity Center in Anne Arundel County Thursday morning were there for center activities, but some showed up to vote at the early voting center there, part of a light but steady turnout as a week of early voting wrapped up.

On the first seven days of early voting, more than 138,387 people cast their ballots, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections, nearly 3.8% of the 3.8 million eligible primary voters in the state. That’s up slightly from the first seven days during the 2022 gubernatorial election, when 125,384 turned out. The total for all eight days that year was 172,364.

The early in-person votes were in addition to almost 165,610 mail-in ballots that had been received by the Maryland State Board of Elections as of 6 p.m. Wednesday. Of the 33,495 ballots that had been accepted by then, nearly 26,000 came from Democratic voters.

Some candidates and volunteers at various polling locations throughout the state this week acknowledged voter turnout was low. That’s why the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland urges registered voters to cast their ballots.

The caucus’ emphasis is part of its support for “All Roads Lead South,” that led to a rally last month in Alabama. Federal legislators from various parts of the country, voting rights advocates and community leaders gathered to call attention to Southern state legislatures’ efforts to reconfigure their electoral maps to increase Republican majorities in Congress and in state assemblies.

Del. N. Scott Phillips (D-Baltimore County), who chairs the Maryland Black Caucus, reiterated the importance fo voting, pointing out in a statement Thursday that a previous Baltimore County executive race was decided by only 17 votes.

“The future of our communities will be shaped by the people who show up,” he said. “Make a plan to vote and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same.”

Voters choose, or choose not to choose

Back at the senior activity center in Anne Arundel County, Matt and Janet Miller walked inside to cast their ballots and walked back out about 10 minutes later.

The couple always votes in person.

“I’m very patriotic. Very pro-USA, so I think it’s your duty to do it in person,” Janet Miller said.

The couple, who are registered Republicans, declined to say who they voted for but made it clear one person they didn’t choose.

“I know who’d I never vote for and [that’s] who’s there right now is the governor,” Matt Miller said of Gov. Wes Moore (D). He pointed to legislation passed in 2023 that raised hunting licenses and fishing license fees last year.

“I’m a hunter. I’m a fisherman. He’s raised everything possible,” Matt Miller said.

Quanda Smith, a Democrat, also prefers to vote in person and also casts her ballot at the senior activity center in Anne Arundel County.

One race on Smith’s mind Thursday was the 5th District congressional race, where two dozen Democrats are seeking the nomination to replace Rep. Steny Hoyer, who is not running for reelection after more than 40 years in the House.

Smith said she voted for former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“He knows what’s going on. He would be the right person for me,” Smith said.

The atmosphere outside the center was quiet with about three people sitting in chairs or standing in the parking lot wearing T-shirts for Quincy Bareebe, the local businesswoman also seeking the Democratic nomination for 5th District.

Patricia Wilson quietly walked out of the center showcasing her “I voted” sticker. She said she voted for Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince George’s), who has the backing of Hoyer. She noted that not only was Boafo endorsed by Hoyer, but he also won endorsement from Moore and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).

“I heard some good things about him [Boafo]. A lot of good people are behind him. It gives you a sense of trust,” Wilson said.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday. Information on where and how to vote can be found here.

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: editor@marylandmatters.org.

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