This article was updated May 26 at 9 p.m.
MARYLAND -Replacement mail-in ballots are being sent to Maryland voters after a vendor error caused some people to receive the wrong party ballot for the 2026 gubernatorial primary election.
Maryland State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis said replacement ballots were sent Tuesday afternoon to voters in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s and Washington counties.
Replacement ballots are expected to be mailed Wednesday morning to voters in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties.
By the end of Wednesday, all replacement ballots are expected to be mailed out, two days ahead of the May 29 deadline previously given by the state’s vendor, according to DeMarinis.
The Maryland State Board of Elections previously said the issue affected voters who were mailed ballots before May 14. Voters who received ballots through web delivery, also known as print-at-home ballots, are not affected.
The board said the problem may have affected only a small number of voters, but more than 500,000 voters requested mail-in ballots and must all be issued a replacement ballot to ensure confidence in the process.
Impacted voters will receive detailed instructions in their ballot packet. State election officials said voters should dispose of their original ballot and vote using the replacement ballot.
Replacement ballots can be returned by drop box, at an early voting center during early voting, at a polling place on Election Day, at a local board of elections office or by mail. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than June 23.
Maryland law requires canvassing, or the counting of mail-in ballots, to begin June 1 and continue through the first day of early voting.
DeMarinis is expected to address the bipartisan State Board of Elections during an open meeting Thursday about the situation, corrective actions and voter outreach
