Friendship, Maryland Public Records

Maryland residents can register to vote online at elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration through the state portal, which interfaces with the Motor Vehicle Administration to verify identity. Registration must be completed at least 21 days before an election to participate in that contest. The state offers same-day registration during early voting, allowing unregistered individuals to register and vote at early voting centers. Acceptable identification for registration includes a Maryland driver's license or MVA-issued ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Maryland does not require photo ID to vote; residents need only state their name and address at the polling place. As an unincorporated community, Friendship has no municipal elections for mayor or town council. Instead, residents participate in Anne Arundel County, Maryland state, and federal elections. The county holds elections for County Executive (four-year term), County Council (seven districts, four-year terms), and various other county offices. The community falls within County Council District 5. Maryland state elections include Governor and Lieutenant Governor (four-year terms), State Senate (47 districts, four-year terms), House of Delegates (three delegates per district, four-year terms), and various statewide offices. The area is located in Maryland Legislative District 33. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Voter Lookup tool at elections.maryland.gov/voting/where.html, which requires entering name and date of birth or address. The tool displays the voter's polling location, districts, sample ballot, and elected representatives. Anne Arundel County typically has over 120 Election Day polling places throughout Anne Arundel County. Maryland provides extensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists are available for purchase by campaigns and political committees but are not freely available online for privacy reasons. Campaign finance reports for all candidates and political committees are searchable at the state website at campaignfinance.maryland.gov. Candidate filings, petition results, and ballot questions are public information available through the Board of Elections. Election results by precinct are published online after certification at elections.maryland.gov and www.aacounty.org/departments/board-of-elections. The county has historically shown strong participation in presidential elections, with turnout typically ranging from 60% to 70%. The 2026 election is an off-year (non-presidential) election, which typically sees lower turnout. County voters will elect the County Executive, all seven County Council seats, and other county offices. Maryland state offices on the ballot will include all 47 State Senate seats and all 141 House of Delegates seats (three per district), Comptroller, and Attorney General. Maryland offers extensive absentee and mail-in voting options. Any registered voter may request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason. Requests can be made online at elections.maryland.gov starting 90 days before an election and must be received by the Tuesday before Election Day for mail delivery, or voters can request ballots in person at the Board of Elections through the day before the election. The state also offers early voting at designated centers throughout Anne Arundel County for eight days before Election Day, including two weekends. Anne Arundel County typically operates 17 early voting centers. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days after the election to be counted, or can be dropped off at secure ballot drop boxes located throughout Anne Arundel County until 8:00 PM on Election Day.