On September 18, 2025, the Maryland State Board of Elections announced an annual statewide voter registration contest targeting high school seniors to enhance youth involvement in elections. The initiative, unveiled on National Voter Registration Day, will award high schools achieving at least 90 percent voter registration among eligible seniors by the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
With about 78,000 Marylanders reaching age 18 each year, the contest addresses gaps in youth participation, particularly as a 2024 report from the Civics Center indicated that roughly one in three 18-year-olds in Maryland remains unregistered. State Administrator Jared DeMarinis emphasized the program’s goal, stating, “No high school sports team ever won without participation by every teammate, and democracy is no different.”
He added, “Young Marylanders can shape the future of their country and Maryland at the ballot box only if they register to vote. Our new contest will be a fun and engaging way to ensure that today’s high school seniors win at being empowered and strengthening democracy for decades to come.”
The contest responds to challenges in Maryland’s voter registration system, including a national decline in youth driver’s license applications that limits the effectiveness of automatic voter registration at Motor Vehicle Administration offices. Maryland enacted automatic registration in 2018, expanding electronic services beyond driver’s licenses to public benefits interactions, but fewer teens obtaining licenses means fewer automatic enrollments.
The Civics Center report, a collaboration with the University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, found that 64 percent of Maryland 18-year-olds were registered as of late 2023, up from earlier years due to reforms like pre-registration at age 16 since 2010 and online registration since 2012. However, variations persist across counties, with factors such as income, race and driver’s license access influencing rates; for instance, counties with higher teen licensing correlate with better pre-registration among 16- and 17-year-olds.
Under Maryland law, 16-year-olds can pre-register to vote, and 17-year-olds may register and cast ballots in the 2026 primary election if they turn 18 by the general election on November 3, 2026. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens, Maryland residents and not under guardianship for mental disability that prevents voting decisions. Registration requires a Maryland driver’s license number, MVA ID or the last four digits of a Social Security number, per federal requirements.
High schools can participate by contacting the State Board of Elections at info.sbe@maryland.gov. Individuals can register online via the state’s portal or at local boards, with same-day registration available during early voting or on election day, provided proof of residence like a utility bill or MVA document.
The announcement aligns with National Voter Registration Day, established in 2012 as a nonpartisan effort to mobilize eligible voters. Nationwide, the day has facilitated over 6 million registrations since inception, including 820,000 in 2024. In Maryland, it complements ongoing state efforts, such as voter drives at MVA offices and schools, where federal law mandates registration opportunities. Historical data from the State Board of Elections shows overall voter registration among the voting-age population rose to 86 percent in 2022 from 84 percent in 2018, though youth-specific figures lag. The board maintains monthly activity reports tracking registrations by district, available on its website.
Maryland’s approach builds on broader election reforms. The state allows unaffiliated registration for those opting out of parties, enabling general election voting while restricting most primaries. Overseas and military voters, including youth, can use the Federal Post Card Application. The State Board, headquartered in Annapolis, oversees 24 local boards that process applications and maintain records under the Election Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Provisional ballots, available if eligibility is questioned, ensure access, with over 40,000 cast statewide in 2022.
The contest encourages schools to track progress, potentially through tools like the board’s Voter Lookup service. Educators can incorporate registration into American Government classes, where state standards require civics topics. Nationally, groups like My School Votes support student-led clubs, a strategy Maryland could expand. As the 2026 elections approach, with primaries in June, the initiative aims to sustain momentum from 2024’s high turnout, where youth participation edged up amid national efforts. Residents can verify status or register at mva.maryland.gov for motor voter integration or directly via the board’s site. This program underscores Maryland’s commitment to equitable access, particularly for new voters in regions like Southern Maryland, where community ties influence civic engagement.
