Gov. Wes Moore faces a rematch with Republican Dan Cox as Maryland voters also weigh a redistricting amendment that could reshape the state's congressional delegation in future elections.
The Nov. 3 general election includes races for attorney general and all eight of Maryland's U.S. House seats. Question 3 would remove state constitutional restrictions on drawing congressional districts, potentially giving Democrats a path to winning the state's only Republican-held House seat.
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The amendment would not change the districts used in this election. Any new congressional map would require lawmakers to take additional action.
Here's a look at the candidates, their priorities and what the redistricting question would do.
Governor: Moore And Cox Face Off Again
Democratic Gov. Wes Moore is seeking a second four-year term against former state Del. Dan Cox, whom he defeated in 2022. Green Party candidate Andy Ellis and Working Class Party candidate Cathy White are also on the ballot.
Voters choose the governor and lieutenant governor together as a ticket.
- Wes Moore, Democrat: Moore is running with Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. His campaign emphasizes lowering everyday costs, creating jobs, strengthening public safety and investing in public schools. He points to his administration's work on housing, child care and energy affordability, and supports the redistricting amendment.
- Dan Cox, Republican: Cox is running with Rob Krop. He proposes cutting taxes and fees, limiting government spending and reducing barriers to home construction. His platform also calls for property tax relief for seniors and expanded energy production to lower utility costs.
- Andy Ellis, Green Party: Ellis is running with Owen Silverman Andrews. His campaign calls for stopping data center development, reducing the influence of corporate money in politics and building an economy that better serves working residents.
- Cathy White, Working Class Party: White is running with Cathy Permut. A longtime factory worker, White emphasizes organizing workers around concerns such as low wages, job security, rising prices and the costs of child care and elder care.
Question 3: Should Maryland Change The Rules For Drawing Congressional Districts?
Question 3 asks voters whether Maryland lawmakers should have more freedom to draw the boundaries of the state's eight U.S. House districts. Those boundaries determine which communities vote together to elect a member of Congress.
State constitutional rules currently limit how lawmakers can draw those lines. Districts must be compact and take into account natural boundaries, such as the Chesapeake Bay, and county and city boundaries.
Voting for Question 3 would remove those state constitutional limits for congressional districts. That would make it easier for lawmakers to draw a map favoring their political party. Federal election rules would still apply.
Voting against Question 3 would keep the current rules in place.
Democrats, who control Maryland's legislature, hold seven of the state's eight U.S. House seats. Changing the rules could help them redraw the remaining district, held by Republican Rep. Andy Harris, to make it easier for a Democrat to win.
Gov. Moore and other supporters say Maryland needs the change to counter Republican efforts to redraw districts in other states. Opponents say it would give politicians more power to choose their voters and weaken protections against partisan gerrymandering.
The vote would not change anyone's district for this election. Approval would let lawmakers pursue a new map for 2028 or later; it would not automatically create one.
The proposal came from House Bill 2100 and its companion, Senate Bill 2100. It appears on the ballot as Question 3.
Attorney General: Brown Seeks A Second Term
Democratic Attorney General Anthony Brown faces Republican attorney James B. "Jim" Rutledge III for a four-year term as Maryland's chief legal officer.
- Anthony Brown, Democrat: Brown emphasizes civil rights enforcement, consumer and worker protections, reproductive rights and accountability in cases involving police-involved deaths. His campaign also highlights legal challenges to Trump administration policies that he says violate Marylanders' rights.
- Jim Rutledge, Republican: Rutledge emphasizes fighting crime, protecting constitutional rights and combating hackers, online predators and scams targeting older and vulnerable residents. His campaign also identifies clean water and Chesapeake Bay protection as priorities.
U.S. House: The Races To Watch
Every Maryland House seat is up for election for a two-year term.
The 6th District merits an early look because of its relatively close recent election history. The 1st District carries added political stakes because of the redistricting debate, while the 5th District is an open seat following Rep. Steny Hoyer's retirement.
Those distinctions do not mean all three races are toss-ups. Cook Political Report rates the 6th District as Solid Democratic.
District 6: McClain Delaney Faces Ficker
Democratic Rep. April McClain Delaney faces Republican Robin Ficker and Green Party candidate Moshe Landman in the district stretching from Western Maryland into Montgomery County.
McClain Delaney won about 53 percent of the vote in 2024 and defeated former Rep. David Trone in this year's Democratic primary.
- April McClain Delaney, Democrat: Her campaign emphasizes holding the Trump administration accountable, protecting access to health care and defending programs that support working families. She also highlights her background in communications policy and children's online safety.
- Robin Ficker, Republican: Ficker calls for reducing federal spending and deficits, lowering taxes and regulations, supporting police and encouraging businesses to create American jobs.
- Moshe Landman, Green Party: Landman supports universal health care, cutting military spending, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring polluted land and waterways.
District 1: Harris Faces Schwartz
Republican Rep. Andy Harris faces Democrat Dan Schwartz in the Eastern Shore-centered district. Harris is Maryland's only Republican House member.
The race also provides a contrast over spending, health care and the federal government's role in protecting consumers.
- Andy Harris, Republican: Harris, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, emphasizes fiscal responsibility, limiting federal spending and protecting taxpayer money.
- Dan Schwartz, Democrat: Schwartz proposes reversing cuts to health care and food assistance, ending tariffs he says hurt farmers and families, and strengthening consumer protections. He also supports federal abortion-rights protections and a national ban on partisan gerrymandering.
District 5: An Open Seat After Hoyer
Democratic state Del. Adrian Boafo faces Republican Chris Chaffee for the Southern Maryland-area seat Hoyer held for decades.
Boafo won the Democratic nomination in a crowded primary and received Hoyer's endorsement.
- Adrian Boafo, Democrat: Boafo supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and tying it to inflation, expanding child care and protecting Social Security. His platform also calls for Chesapeake Bay restoration, lower utility costs and a ban on congressional stock trading.
- Chris Chaffee, Republican: In his League of Women Voters questionnaire, Chaffee supported voter identification requirements and stricter border controls. He also proposed reopening coal plants, easing home construction and expanding child care tax relief.
District 2: Olszewski Faces Wallace
Democratic Rep. Johnny Olszewski faces Republican Dave Wallace.
- Johnny Olszewski, Democrat: The former Baltimore County executive emphasizes lowering costs, expanding access to health care and protecting federal workers. He also supports government ethics reforms, including banning stock trading by members of Congress.
- Dave Wallace, Republican: Wallace's platform emphasizes constitutional freedoms, government accountability, support for police and first responders, and changes to federal monetary policy intended to protect buying power.
District 3: Elfreth Faces Flowers
Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth faces Republican Berney Flowers.
- Sarah Elfreth, Democrat: Elfreth emphasizes affordable housing and child care, Chesapeake Bay restoration, federal worker protections and rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge. She supports federal abortion-rights protections and expanded health care coverage.
- Berney Flowers, Republican: Flowers, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, supports term limits, lower taxes, reduced government spending and stronger immigration enforcement. He also emphasizes national defense, parental involvement in schools and gun rights.
District 4: Ivey Faces Two Challengers
Democratic Rep. Glenn Ivey faces Republican George McDermott and Green Party candidate Sam Husseini.
- Glenn Ivey, Democrat: Ivey emphasizes protecting federal workers, constitutional rights and government programs serving local communities. His campaign highlights opposition to Trump administration actions affecting the federal workforce.
- George McDermott, Republican: McDermott's campaign focuses on government and judicial accountability, constitutional rights and what he describes as injustice in the court system.
- Sam Husseini, Green Party: Husseini emphasizes opposing war and redirecting resources toward community needs. His campaign also challenges corporate influence and the leadership of both major parties.
District 7: Mfume Faces Collier
Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume faces Republican Scott Collier.
- Kweisi Mfume, Democrat: Mfume's recent work emphasizes reducing gun violence, expanding workforce training and supporting community safety programs. He has also pursued funding for flood protection and other Baltimore-area projects.
- Scott Collier, Republican: Collier identifies crime, education, drug abuse and economic conditions as priorities. His published positions oppose federal legislation protecting abortion rights, which he views as an issue for states.
District 8: Raskin Faces Riley And Wallace
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin faces Republican Cheryl Riley and Green Party candidate Nancy Wallace.
- Jamie Raskin, Democrat: Raskin emphasizes defending democratic institutions, voting rights, reproductive freedom and civil liberties. His campaign highlights congressional oversight and opposition to abuses of executive power.
- Cheryl Riley, Republican: Riley emphasizes public safety, stronger border enforcement, expanded domestic energy production and policies supporting American businesses. She also supports parental rights and limited government.
- Nancy Wallace, Green Party: Wallace calls for an urgent transition to renewable energy and investment in green jobs to address climate change.
Registered write-in candidates also include Edward Shlikas in District 1, Robert L. Coffman in District 3 and Mildred Marie Hall in District 5. Write-in candidates' names are not printed among the ballot choices.
When And How To Vote
Maryland voters can cast ballots during early voting, by mail or at their assigned polling place on Election Day.
- Advance registration deadline: Oct. 13. Eligible residents also can register in person during early voting or on Election Day with proof of residence.
- Early voting: Oct. 22-29, including the weekend, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters may use any early voting center in their county.
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Request a mailed ballot: Requests must be received by Oct. 27.
- Request a ballot to download and print: Requests must be received by Oct. 30.
- Return a mail-in ballot: Hand-delivered ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
Voters should check their registration, congressional district and assigned polling place through the Maryland State Board of Elections voter lookup. A sample ballot will show additional state and local races and questions that appear on the ballot.