Gaithersburg, Maryland Public Records

The deadline falls 21 days before any election, and new registrants need their Maryland driver's license or MVA identification number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Voters can verify their registration status at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch. As an incorporated municipality, the city conducts its own elections for mayor and city council. Voters select a mayor and six council members - five representing individual wards and one at-large. Information about candidates, ballot measures, and election procedures is available through the City Clerk at 31 South Summit Avenue (phone: 301-258-6310) and at www.gaithersburgmd.gov. The city runs its municipal elections under charter provisions separate from the county system, though county election officials frequently provide logistical support. For federal, state, and county races, residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Maryland State Board of Elections' lookup tool at elections.maryland.gov/voting/where.html by entering their home address. Polling places typically include local schools, community centers, and public buildings. Maryland's early voting period runs eight days before Election Day, covering two weekends, at designated centers throughout Montgomery County. The county Board of Elections office in the city serves as one of these early voting locations. Public election records in Maryland cover voter registration lists (available to campaigns and organizations upon request), campaign finance reports (searchable at campaignfinancemd.us for state and local candidates), candidate filing information, and precinct-level results (available at elections.maryland.gov). Maryland will elect a Governor and Lieutenant Governor, as the state holds gubernatorial elections during midterm years. All 47 State Senate seats and all 141 House of Delegates seats will be decided. At the Montgomery County level, races include county executive, county council members, Sheriff, State's Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Register of Wills, and judges. Residents should monitor local news and the Board of Elections website as 2026 approaches for candidate information and any local referenda. Maryland provides extensive absentee and mail-in voting options. Any registered voter may request a mail-in ballot without stating a reason, either online at elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html or by contacting the Montgomery County Board of Elections. Requests must be submitted at least seven days before Election Day, though earlier applications are advisable. Completed ballots need a postmark by Election Day and must arrive by 10 a.m. The Friday following the election. Voters can also deliver mail-in ballots to drop boxes throughout Montgomery County or directly to the Board of Elections office. Military and overseas voters receive special accommodations under the Federal Voting Assistance Act.