June 2 Deadline Approaching to Update Party Affiliation Before Maryland’s Closed Primary

The Montgomery County Board of Elections is reminding residents that an important voter registration and party affiliation update deadline is approaching ahead of Maryland’s 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election.

The June 2, 2026 deadline applies to advance voter registration updates, including party affiliation changes before the primary. Residents who are already registered should check that their name, address, and party affiliation are accurate.

Editor’s Note from Moderately MOCO: If you are unaffiliated, independent, or registered with a party whose primary ballot does not include the local races you most care about, now is the time to check your options. Maryland has closed party primaries, which means Democratic and Republican voters receive their party’s primary ballot. Unaffiliated voters can still vote in the primary, but only for Board of Education races, rather than the much larger array of county, state, and federal primary contests available to voters registered with a political party.

This note is from Moderately MOCO, not the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The Board of Elections is providing the official deadline and voter registration information below. June 2, 2026 is not the final day a new voter can register in person, but it is a key deadline to update registration online or by mail before the June 23 primary, including party affiliation changes.

Voters can check or update their information at https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1

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Montgomery County Board of Elections Press Release

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

VOTER REGISTRATION AND PARTY AFFILIATION CHANGE DEADLINE APPROACHING

If you are already registered to vote, please ensure that your voter registration is current and accurate. Verify your name, residential address, and political party affiliation. Montgomery County eligible citizens, who are not registered voters but intending to vote in the 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election may complete and submit their voter registration application by Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

In Maryland, closed party primaries are conducted. Registered voters affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties receive ballots corresponding to their party. Unaffiliated voters are eligible to vote for candidates seeking positions on the Board of Education.

To register to vote in Maryland, individuals must be United States citizens, residents of Maryland, and at least 16 years of age. Seventeen-year-old registrants may participate in the primary election if they reach the age of 18 by the Gubernatorial General Election on November 3, 2026.

To register to vote online, your personal information must correspond with the records held by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Required details include your full name, date of birth, driver’s license number, identification or Learner’s Permit number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. To complete your voter registration, text VOTE to 77788 or visit www.777vote.org.

Montgomery County residents who did not meet the advanced voter registration deadline (June 2, 2026) may still register and vote during early voting from Thursday, June 11, 2026, through Thursday, June 18, 2026, or on Election Day, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Please ensure you bring documentation verifying your residence when visiting an early voting center or local polling place to complete your voter registration. Acceptable proof of residency includes an MVA-issued license, ID card, learner’s permit, change of address card, or a current paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document displaying your name and address. Documents must be dated within three (3) months of Election Day.

Individuals who do not possess a Maryland Driver’s License, Permit, or MVA ID may visit www.777vote.org to download a voter registration application for mailing to the Montgomery County Board of Elections at 18753 N. Frederick Ave., Suite 210, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. For further assistance, please contact 240-777-8500.

Registered voters may update their voter registration by texting UPDATE to 77788, visiting www.777vote.org, or calling 240-777-8500 to receive assistance.

For further details regarding voter registration, please consult www.777vote.org, visit the Maryland State Board of Elections’ website at http://elections.maryland.gov, or follow the Montgomery County Board of Elections on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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