On October 15, 2024, Maryland election officials commenced the canvassing process for mail-in ballots in the 2024 General Election. Over 262,000 ballots have been returned by voters, marking the first day local boards can start opening, reviewing, and counting these ballots.
Under Maryland law, canvassing of mail-in ballots starts eight days before Early Voting, which begins on October 23 this year. Local boards of elections, consisting of representatives from both major political parties, must be present to oversee the process. This ensures transparency and adherence to legal guidelines, fostering confidence in the electoral system. The canvass can continue on additional days after October 15 but will not be held on Election Day, November 5.
All mail-in ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day will be included in the canvassing process. However, results from the canvassing will remain confidential until polls close at 8 p.m. on November 5. Maryland State Administrator Jared DeMarinis highlighted the importance of this process in a statement: “October 15 is the first day in a lengthy and deliberative process of canvassing every vote cast in the 2024 General Election. Starting the canvass process now gives our canvass teams ample time to efficiently and accurately process mail-in ballots.”
DeMarinis emphasized that the canvassing process is conducted in a transparent manner, with bipartisan oversight and the option for the public to observe in person. This transparency, he noted, helps ensure that Maryland voters can trust that the process is both secure and reliable.
Local boards are required to post the details regarding the dates, times, and locations of their canvassing sessions on their respective websites. Marylanders interested in observing the canvass or seeking more information can visit the State Board of Elections (SBE) website or contact their local election boards directly.
For further details about the vote canvassing process in Maryland, visit the SBE’s canvassing webpage.
