Bowie, Maryland Public Records

Maryland residents can register to vote online through the Maryland State Board of Elections at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration. The registration deadline falls 21 days before each election, and acceptable identification includes a Maryland driver's license, MVA ID card, or the last four digits of a social security number. The state also offers same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day at designated locations. Municipal elections in the city occur in even-numbered years for Mayor and City Council positions. The Mayor serves a two-year term, while eight Council members represent four districts with two members per district serving staggered four-year terms. The next municipal election is scheduled for November 2026, when voters will choose the Mayor and four Council seats. Information about municipal elections, candidate filings, and sample ballots is available through the City Clerk's Office at City Hall (301-809-3029) and at www.cityofbowie.org/elections. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Maryland Voter Lookup system at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/PollingPlaceSearch by entering first name, last name, date of birth, and ZIP code. The system displays registration status, district assignments, and polling place details including hours. In the November 2024 presidential election, Prince George's County reported approximately 73% voter turnout among registered voters. This reliably Democratic county gave Vice President Kamala Harris approximately 89% of the vote. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters will decide several significant races including Maryland's gubernatorial election (Governor and Lieutenant Governor serve four-year terms with the next race in 2026), all Maryland House of Delegates seats (two-year terms), Maryland State Senate districts where applicable (staggered four-year terms), U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 5th Congressional District which includes the city, Prince George's County Executive, Prince George's County Council seats, constitutional offices including State's Attorney and Sheriff, and municipal offices including Bowie Mayor and City Council. Maryland does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 as both senators are on different cycle years. Maryland voters can request absentee ballots, called mail-in ballots in the state, online through the State Board of Elections website or by mail, fax, or email to the Prince Georges County Board of elections. Any registered voter may vote by mail without providing a reason. The application deadline is seven days before Election Day, though ballots must be received by 8 PM on Election Day to be counted. Early voting is offered at multiple locations throughout Prince Georges County, typically beginning the second Thursday before Election Day and continuing through the Thursday before Election Day. Maryland election records available to the public include voter registration lists (available for purchase by campaigns and certain organizations), campaign finance reports searchable at campaignfinance.maryland.gov, candidate filings and financial disclosures, and precinct-level election results available through the State Board of Elections at elections.maryland.gov.