Clements, Maryland Public Records

Maryland residents can register to vote online at https://elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/index.html through the state portal, which accommodates new registrations, address updates, and party affiliation changes. The registration deadline is 21 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Maryland residents, at least 16 years old to pre-register (eligible to vote at 18), and not under guardianship for mental disability or convicted of a felony unless rights have been restored; Maryland automatically restores voting rights upon completion of incarceration for felony convictions as of March 2016. As an unincorporated community without municipal government, Clements has no city or town elections. Instead, residents participate in Saint Marys County Commissioner elections (five commissioners elected countywide to four-year staggered terms), state legislative races (District 29A for the Maryland House of Delegates and District 29 for the Maryland State Senate), and federal elections for U.S. House (Maryland's 5th Congressional District), U.S. Senate, and President. The next countywide election falls on November 3, 2026, which in Maryland will include the gubernatorial election (Governor and Lieutenant Governor serve four-year terms; the next election is 2026), all seats in the Maryland House of Delegates (two-year terms), half of the Maryland State Senate seats (District 29 senators serve four-year terms; verify specific cycle), and various county offices including County Commissioners, Sheriff, State's Attorney, and Clerk of the Circuit Court. No U.S. Senate seat from Maryland is up in 2026, as the state's senators are elected in presidential years. Local residents can find their polling place assignments using the Maryland State Board of Elections lookup at https://elections.maryland.gov/voting/where.html by entering a residential address; typical polling locations for the community include Clements Elementary School at 38155 New Market Turner Road. Maryland offers absentee and mail-in voting. Any registered voter may request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason by applying online at https://elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html, by mail, or in person at the Saint Marys County Board office. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is seven days before Election Day, though earlier requests are strongly encouraged. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days after the election, or deposited in an official ballot drop box by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Early voting in Maryland runs during the eight days prior to Election Day (including two weekends) at designated early voting centers; Saint Marys County typically operates early voting sites in Leonardtown and Lexington Park with extended hours. Public election records in Maryland include voter registration lists (available for purchase by campaigns and political committees but not for commercial purposes), campaign finance reports filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections at https://campaignfinance.maryland.gov, candidate filings and petition records, and precinct-level election results. Saint Marys County election results are posted at https://www.elections.stmarysmd.com after each election and are also available through the state board. In the November 2024 presidential election, Saint Marys County reported approximately 35,000 ballots cast out of roughly 75,000 registered voters, representing a turnout of approximately 47%, slightly below the statewide average; the county has historically leaned Republican in federal elections while remaining competitive in state and local contests. Detailed precinct results, including how Clements-area precincts voted, are available through the Saint Marys County elections office. Residents seeking information about local ballot questions, candidate forums, or voter guides should check the Saint Marys County elections website and local news outlets including The Enterprise newspaper and Bay Net News for coverage of Saint Marys County races.