11
Maryland Mail Ballots 2026: 400,000 Reissued After Wrong Party Error: June Primary Deadlines Explained
Maryland is reissuing approximately 400,000 mail-in ballots ahead of the June 23, 2026 gubernatorial primary after a printing vendor error caused some voters to receive ballots assigned to the wrong political party. The Maryland State Board of Elections ordered the full replacement batch after discovering the problem, and the vendor responsible: Taylor Corporation: will cover all costs of reissuing the ballots at no expense to the state.
If you requested a mail ballot for Maryland’s June 2026 primary and received it before May 14, 2026, your ballot may be affected. Here is everything you need to know about what happened, what to do next, and all important deadlines before the June 23 primary.
What Happened with Maryland Mail Ballots?
Maryland began sending out mail ballots this week in preparation for the June 23, 2026 gubernatorial primary. Shortly after, voters began reporting that they had received ballots assigned to the wrong political party: meaning a registered Democrat may have received a Republican primary ballot, or vice versa.
State Board of Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis confirmed the error originated with Taylor Corporation, the vendor responsible for printing and mailing the ballots. The state says it cannot identify exactly which voters received the wrong ballot, so the entire batch of mail ballots sent before May 14, 2026 is being replaced.
Voters who had requested their ballot via email were not affected by this error. Only those who received a physical paper ballot by postal mail before May 14 are in the affected group.
Maryland Mail Ballot Error: Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total ballots being reissued | Approximately 400,000 |
| Affected ballots | Physical mail ballots sent before May 14, 2026 |
| Cause of error | Vendor Taylor Corporation printing mix-up |
| Cost to state | None: Taylor Corporation covers all costs |
| Voters notified via | Social media and postal mail |
| Unaffected voters | Those who requested ballot via email delivery |
What Should Affected Maryland Voters Do?
If you received a mail ballot before May 14, 2026, the Maryland State Board of Elections is asking you to wait for your replacement ballot, which will be mailed before the June 23 primary. You should not return the ballot you received if you suspect it may be assigned to the wrong party.
For questions, voters are encouraged to contact the Maryland State Board of Elections directly. The board is also putting out notifications through social media channels to keep voters informed as replacement ballots go out.
Officials have emphasized that Maryland’s election system includes multiple security safeguards. Each ballot carries a unique code that identifies which voter it was assigned to and tracks whether that ballot has been cast and counted. These safeguards are specifically designed to prevent any single voter from casting more than one ballot, even if they receive two in error.
Maryland June Primary 2026: Key Dates and Deadlines
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Primary Election Day | June 23, 2026 |
| Early Voting Period | June 11–18, 2026 |
| Deadline to request mail ballot (by postal mail) | June 16, 2026 |
| Deadline to request mail ballot (by email) | June 19, 2026 |
| Mail ballot postmark deadline | June 23, 2026 (Election Day) |
| Dropbox / in-person ballot return deadline | 8:00 PM on June 23, 2026 |
How to Vote by Mail in Maryland: June Primary 2026
Any registered Maryland voter can request a mail-in ballot for the June 23, 2026 primary. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Submit a mail ballot request at the Maryland State Board of Elections website: elections.maryland.gov: or contact your local board of elections
- Request must be received by June 16, 2026 if you want the ballot sent by postal mail
- If you want the ballot sent by email, submit your request by June 19, 2026
- Complete your ballot and return it by one of the following methods: mail it (postmarked by June 23), drop it in an official dropbox, or hand-deliver it to your local board of elections by 8 PM on Election Day
Early Voting: Maryland June 2026 Primary
Voters who prefer to cast their vote in person before Election Day can take advantage of Maryland’s early voting period, which runs from June 11 through June 18, 2026, at select locations across each county. Early voting allows registered voters to show up, cast their ballot in person, and avoid the Election Day rush: without needing to request a mail ballot in advance.
What Is the Maryland June 2026 Primary Election About?
The June 23, 2026 primary in Maryland is a gubernatorial primary: meaning voters will choose their party’s candidate for governor ahead of the November general election. Both the Democratic and Republican parties are holding competitive primaries.
On the Democratic side, incumbent Governor Wes Moore is seeking his party’s nomination for a second term, facing a primary challenge from Eric Felber. On the Republican side, the race features Dan Cox, Ed Hale, and John Myrick, with Cox and Hale considered the frontrunners. The winner of each primary will go on to face each other in the November 2026 general election.
Mail-In Voting in Maryland: Growing Trend Since 2020
Mail-in voting has become an increasingly popular method of casting ballots in Maryland. In the 2022 gubernatorial primary, nearly 350,000 voters: approximately one-third of all votes cast: chose to vote by mail. This represented a dramatic rise from pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a lasting shift in how Maryland residents prefer to participate in elections.
The 2026 primary is expected to see similarly high mail ballot participation, which makes the current reissuance situation all the more significant. With roughly 400,000 replacement ballots going out, election officials are working quickly to ensure voters have correct ballots well before the June 23 deadline.
Are Maryland’s Elections Secure Despite the Ballot Error?
Election officials have been clear that the ballot mix-up, while significant in scale, does not represent a security risk to the integrity of the June 2026 primary. Administrator Jared DeMarinis explained that each mail ballot contains a unique tracking code tied to a specific voter, allowing the system to identify whether a ballot was cast and counted. This means that even if a voter received two ballots by mistake, the system is designed to count only one.
The Maryland Board of Elections has stressed that it has multiple layers of protection in place and is confident that the replacement process will be completed in time for all affected voters to participate fully in the June 23 primary.
Frequently Asked Questions: Maryland Mail Ballot June 2026
When is the Maryland primary election 2026?
The Maryland gubernatorial primary election is on June 23, 2026. Early voting runs from June 11 to 18, 2026.
Why is Maryland reissuing 400,000 mail ballots?
A printing vendor error by Taylor Corporation caused some Maryland voters to receive mail-in primary ballots assigned to the wrong political party. Since the state cannot determine exactly which voters were affected, it is replacing all mail ballots sent before May 14, 2026.
What is the deadline to request a mail ballot for the Maryland June primary?
The deadline to request a mail ballot by postal mail is June 16, 2026. If you want your ballot delivered by email, the deadline is June 19, 2026. You can also request a mail ballot in person up to and including Election Day, June 23.
Can I still vote if I received the wrong party’s ballot?
Yes. The Maryland State Board of Elections is sending replacement ballots to all affected voters. If you received a ballot before May 14, wait for your replacement. You can also vote in person during early voting (June 11–18) or on Election Day (June 23) at your local polling place.
Who is running for governor in Maryland 2026?
In the Democratic primary, incumbent Governor Wes Moore is running for re-election against Eric Felber. In the Republican primary, the main candidates are Dan Cox, Ed Hale, and John Myrick.
Stay with Newslivehere for updates on the Maryland June 2026 primary election, mail ballot replacement progress, and results on Election Night, June 23, 2026.
