Mardela Springs, Maryland Public Records

Registration must be completed 21 days before Election Day, though Maryland does offer same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day at designated locations. To register, applicants must be U.S. Citizens and Maryland residents, at least 16 years old (though voting begins at 18), and not under guardianship for mental disability or convicted of a felony unless rights have been restored. Acceptable ID includes a Maryland driver's license, MVA ID card, student ID, employee ID, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. As an unincorporated community, Mardela Springs has no municipal government, which means there are no mayoral or town council elections specific to the area. Instead, residents vote in Wicomico County, Maryland state, and federal elections. County elections include races for County Council seats across seven districts, County Executive, Board of Education members, Sheriff, State's Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Register of Wills, and judges. These county offices are elected at various intervals, with County Council and County Executive elections scheduled during presidential election years. Voters can find their assigned polling location using the Polling Place Lookup tool at elections.maryland.gov/voting/where.html or by contacting the Wicomico County Board directly. Polling places are assigned based on residential address and precinct boundaries. Maryland maintains extensive public election records available to residents. Voter registration lists are available to registered Maryland voters, candidates, and political committees upon request to the State Board of Elections. Campaign finance records are accessible through the Maryland State Board of Elections Campaign Finance website at campaignfinance.maryland.gov, showing contributions and expenditures for state and local candidates and committees. Candidate filings, including certificates of candidacy and financial disclosure statements, are public records maintained by the board. Precinct-level election results are posted on both the state and county elections websites after each election, showing vote totals by candidate and question for all precincts including those serving this community. In the November 2024 presidential election, Wicomico County reported approximately 58% voter turnout, with over 35,000 ballots cast from roughly 61,000 registered voters. The county leaned Republican in the presidential race, consistent with its recent voting patterns. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, residents will decide several significant races. Maryland's gubernatorial election will be held that year, as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor serve four-year terms (most recently elected in 2022, next election 2026). All 188 seats in the Maryland General Assembly are up for election in 2026, including the State Senate's 47 districts and the House of Delegates' 141 seats in multi-member districts. Wicomico County voters elect delegates from District 38A and District 38C. The U.S. Senate seat currently held by Chris Van Hollen will be on the ballot in 2026 (Class III seat), along with Maryland's eight U.S. House of Representatives seats. Mardela Springs falls within Congressional District 1. Certain county offices including Board of Education and potentially Circuit Court judges may also appear on the ballot depending on term expirations. Maryland offers multiple options for mail-in and absentee voting. Any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason. Applications can be submitted online through the Maryland Voter Services portal at elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html, by mail, or by fax to the Wicomico County Board of Elections. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is seven days before Election Day for online requests, or by mail until the Tuesday before the election. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days after the election, or can be dropped off at designated ballot drop boxes throughout Wicomico County until 8:00 PM on Election Day. The state also offers early voting for all elections during the week before Election Day at designated early voting centers in Wicomico County, typically located at the Wicomico Civic Center and other public facilities. Voters can cast a ballot at any early voting location in their county of residence, regardless of precinct assignment.