Primary Election
An election where each political party picks its candidate for the general election. In Maryland you usually must be registered with a party to vote in its primary.
Glossary
Plain talk
about voting.
What does each elected official actually do? What's the difference between a primary and a general? Quick answers below.
Voting Basics
Terms you'll see across the site
General Election
The final election where voters choose between the candidates who won their party primaries.
Incumbent
The person currently holding the office. They're running to keep their seat.
Congressional District
A geographic area that elects one member to the U.S. House of Representatives. Maryland has 8 congressional districts.
Legislative District
A geographic area in Maryland that elects one State Senator and one to three Delegates. Maryland has 47 legislative districts.
Councilmanic District
A geographic area in a Maryland county that elects one County Council member. Numbers and boundaries vary by county.
Judicial Circuit
A grouping of counties whose voters share the same Circuit Court judges. Maryland has 8 judicial circuits.
Non-Partisan
A candidate or race that isn't tied to a political party. Common for Board of Education and judicial races.
Ballot
The list of races and candidates you get to vote on, customized to where you live.
Polling Place
The location where you cast your vote on election day. Yours is determined by where you live.
Elected Offices
Who does what in Maryland
Governor
Maryland's top executive — runs state government and signs or vetoes laws.
Voters elect 1 governor and lieutenant governor as a single ticket.
Comptroller
Maryland's chief tax collector and accountant — oversees state revenue.
Voters elect 1 statewide.
Attorney General
Maryland's top lawyer — represents the state in court and enforces consumer laws.
Voters elect 1 statewide.
U.S. Representative
Represents Maryland in the U.S. House — votes on federal laws.
Voters in each congressional district elect 1.
U.S. Senator
Represents Maryland in the U.S. Senate — votes on federal laws, treaties, and Supreme Court nominees.
Maryland has 2 senators on staggered 6-year terms; voters elect 1 when a seat is up.
State Senator
Represents your district in Maryland's State Senate — writes state laws.
Voters in each legislative district elect 1.
Delegate (House of Delegates)
Represents your district in the Maryland House of Delegates — the state's lower lawmaking chamber.
Voters in this multi-member district elect up to 3 delegates.
Judge of the Circuit Court
Maryland's main trial court judge — hears felonies, large civil suits, and family cases.
Voters elect the judges whose seats are up in their circuit — number of seats varies by election.
Judge of the Orphans' Court
Handles wills, estates, and disputes over inheritance in your county.
Voters typically elect 3 in each county.
Court of Appeals / Appellate Court
Reviews appeals from lower courts — interprets Maryland law.
Voters elect 1 per appellate seat when it's up for retention.
County Executive
Top elected official running your county government and budget.
Voters elect 1 county-wide.
County Council
Local lawmakers who pass county laws and approve the county budget.
Voters elect 1 per councilmanic district (some counties also have at-large seats).
County Commissioner
Governs day-to-day county operations and sets local policy.
Voters elect multiple commissioners — number and structure vary by county.
Mayor
Top elected official running your city or town.
Voters elect 1.
Sheriff
Top elected law-enforcement officer in your county.
Voters elect 1 county-wide.
State's Attorney
Chief prosecutor who decides which criminal cases to bring in your county.
Voters elect 1 county-wide.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Manages court records, marriage licenses, and some business filings.
Voters elect 1 county-wide.
Register of Wills
Oversees wills, estates, and probate paperwork in your county.
Voters elect 1 county-wide.
Treasurer
Manages county finances and collects local taxes.
Voters elect 1 county-wide.
Auditor
Reviews how county government spends taxpayer money.
Voters elect 1 county-wide.
Board of Education
Sets policy and budget for public schools in your county.
Voters typically elect 1 per district, plus any at-large seats up for election.
Soil Conservation District
Oversees local farmland and water-quality conservation programs.
Voters elect multiple supervisors — number varies by local board structure.
Central Committee
Helps run a political party in your county — not a government office.
Voters elect multiple members — number varies by party rules and district.
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