Galena, Maryland Public Records

Registering to vote is straightforward through the Maryland State Board of Elections website at https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration. The deadline sits 21 days before any election, though Maryland allows same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day itself at designated sites. Eligibility requires U.S. Citizenship, Maryland residency, age 16 or older to register (though only those 18 and up can cast ballots), and no disqualifying guardianship or unrestored felony conviction. The application asks for full name, birth date, Maryland address, and either a driver's license number, MVA ID, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The Town of Galena conducts its own municipal elections for Mayor and four Council members who together govern under a Mayor-Council structure. These races typically occur in May of odd-numbered years, with the next scheduled for May 2025. Information about candidates, local ballot measures, and polling details specific to town contests comes from Galena Town Hall at (410) 648-5111. Only registered voters living within the town's corporate boundaries can participate in these municipal elections. Finding your polling location is simple through the Maryland State Board of Elections tool at https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/PollingPlaceSearch, or by contacting the Kent County Board of Elections directly. Most Galena voters cast ballots at the Galena Fire Hall, 206 Bayard Street, Galena, MD 21635, though precinct assignments can shift and should be confirmed before each election. Maryland's public election records include voter registration rolls (available to campaigns and certain authorized requesters under strict use restrictions), campaign finance disclosures searchable at https://campaignfinance.maryland.gov, candidate filing documents, precinct-level results, and certified outcomes. State law under Election Law Article § 2-112 makes names and addresses public while protecting Social Security numbers, driver's license information, and birth dates as confidential. The November 2024 presidential election saw Kent County register roughly 12,800 voters with turnout hitting approximately 67%, a strong showing typical of rural Maryland counties. The county favored the Republican presidential candidate by about 60% to 38%, continuing its conservative voting pattern from recent cycles. Coming up on November 3, 2026, Galena and Kent County voters will decide several significant races. No U.S. Senate seat appears on this ballot, Senator Chris Van Hollen won't face reelection until 2028, and the successor to Ben Cardin's seat was chosen in 2024. Maryland's Governor and Lieutenant Governor will be on the ballot for a four-year term, as gubernatorial elections fall in midterm years following the 2022 contest. All eight U.S. House seats are up, with Galena situated in Maryland's 1st Congressional District. State legislative races include one Maryland State Senate seat representing District 36, which covers Kent County, and two Maryland House of Delegates seats from the same district, all four-year terms. County offices include three of the five County Commissioner seats elected countywide to staggered four-year terms, and potentially the Sheriff's position, also a four-year term. Residents should verify candidate filings with the Kent County Board of Elections as the election approaches. Maryland's no-excuse absentee voting allows any registered voter to request a mail-in ballot without stating a reason. Requests can be submitted online at https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration, by mail, or in person at the Kent County Board of Elections. The request deadline is seven days before Election Day, though earlier submissions are recommended. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within 10 days after, or can be placed in official drop boxes by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Early voting runs for eight days including two weekends before Election Day at designated centers. Kent County typically operates one early voting location in Chestertown; check with the Board of Elections for the 2026 site and hours.