Board of Elections

The St. Mary’s County Board of Elections plays a vital role in ensuring fair, secure, and accessible elections in our community. Guided by policies set by the Maryland State Board of Elections, our local office handles the day-to-day responsibilities of election administration. This includes maintaining voter registration records, overseeing polling places and voting equipment, training election judges, and certifying election results. From registering voters to managing Election Day operations, we are committed to supporting a transparent and efficient electoral process in St. Mary’s County.

Election Security

Your Voting Equipment Is Not Connected to the Internet

Neither the Ballot Marking Devices nor the digital scanner that counts your ballot is ever connected to the Internet. Each scanner has been certified by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The St. Mary’s County Board of Elections tests every scanner to ensure that it counts accurately before sending it to the polls. The St. Mary’s County Board of Elections follows strict chain of custody procedures and audit results after Election Day to make sure the scanners were not tampered with.

Backup Systems Are in Place to Protect Election Results

There are several backup systems in place to protect the validity of election results. First, results are printed on paper at each polling place. Second, a digital scan of each ballot is stored on a removable drive. Third, the paper ballots themselves can be used in an audit or recount. There are also backup systems for voter registration. Notices are mailed to voters for every change and each polling place has a backup list of voters. Anyone who disputes his or her voter registration can cast a provisional ballot, and election officials will determine after Election Day whether the ballot was validly cast and will be counted.

We Are Looking Out for You

A dedicated bipartisan team of professionals and volunteers preserve the chain of custody of your ballot and the voting data. All employees receive background checks and hundreds of election workers of different party affiliations work together to ensure election integrity.

Election Results Are Not Confirmed Immediately, and Mail-In Ballots and Provisional Ballots Continue to Be Counted AFTER Election Day

The results reported and any races called by the media on Election Night are not final. The election is not certified for at least ten days after Election Day, until all Mail-in and provisional ballots are counted. This allows time to audit the results, investigate complaints, and make sure every vote counts. If you return your mail-in ballot early, it will be counted before Election Day. Election officials will start counting received ballots on Tuesday, October 15, but no results are released until the polls close at 8PM on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. All validly cast ballots will be counted.

Voters With Disabilities

Maryland’s Voting System offers features for accessibility. Please ask the Election Judge about your options. At least one touchscreen Ballot Marking Device will be available at each site with large-print, high contrast, Braille, and audio capabilities. Each Ballot Marking Device has a keypad that allows voters with visual impairments to navigate the ballot and make their choices.