Civic Engagement & Voter Research Resources | Maryland Notaries In Action

Community News| Resources| Community Education| Civic Engagement

June 16, 2026•3 min read

As we continue learning more about the political and election process ourselves, we wanted to share a few resources that may help Maryland residents make more informed decisions when voting.

Many voters receive information through flyers, slate cards, endorsements, social media posts, and campaign materials. While those materials may be helpful starting points, it is also important for voters to independently research:

Who is running
What each office actually does
Candidate backgrounds
Endorsements
Campaign funding
Issue positions
Which candidates align with their values, goals, and community concerns

Why Local Elections Matter

One thing we have learned firsthand through volunteering this election season is how much our everyday lives are directly impacted by the decisions made by elected officials at the local level — often in ways many residents may not immediately realize.

For example:

County Council members help make decisions regarding zoning, development projects, data centers, schools, public safety funding, housing, traffic, small business support, and how county resources are allocated within communities.
The County Executive helps oversee county agencies, budgets, public services, economic development initiatives, infrastructure priorities, staffing leadership, and how effectively county government functions overall.
Judges and court-related offices can impact how families experience probate matters, estate administration, guardianship issues, criminal justice matters, and access to fair legal processes.
The State’s Attorney influences how crimes are prosecuted, diversion programs are handled, community safety initiatives are prioritized, and how victims and families experience the justice system.
School board and education-related leadership decisions can impact educational resources, staffing, student programs, safety, transportation, and the overall educational experience for children and families.
Congressional representatives help shape federal laws, funding priorities, national policy discussions, and how Maryland communities are represented at the federal level.

Many residents may not immediately connect these offices to their daily lives, but the decisions made by these leaders can affect:

taxes,
public safety,
business opportunities,
housing development,
roads and transportation,
school systems,
community resources,
and overall quality of life wit

Maryland Voter Research Resources

Maryland State Board of Elections

Website:https://elections.maryland.gov

This official Maryland elections website is a great starting point for voters to:

View candidate lists
Review sample ballots
Verify voter registration
Locate polling places
Review election dates
Access official voting information

Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System (MD CRIS)

Website:https://campaignfinance.maryland.gov

This resource allows voters to:

Review campaign finance reports
See campaign donations
Research donors and financial supporters
Better understand who financially supports candidates and political campaigns

Ballotpedia Maryland Elections

Website:https://ballotpedia.org/Maryland_elections,_2026

Ballotpedia is helpful for:

Candidate background information
Election overviews
Issue summaries
Endorsements
Policy positions
Side-by-side candidate research

Vote411 by the League of Women Voters

Website:https://www.vote411.org/maryland

This is one of the most useful nonpartisan voter tools available. Voters can:

Enter their address
See the exact races appearing on their ballot
Compare candidates
Review candidate responses to issue questions

Candidate Websites and Social Media Pages

Voters should also consider reviewing candidates':

Official websites
Interviews
Public statements
Social media posts
Community engagement
Campaign priorities directly from the source

Doing so can help voters better understand:

Communication style
Consistency
Endorsements
Priorities
Overall messaging

Local Journalism and Political Coverage

Local news organizations often provide:

Candidate interviews
Debate coverage
Investigations
Endorsements
Election analysis
Issue-focused reporting

Maryland-Focused News Outlets

The Baltimore Banner
https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com

Maryland Matters
https://marylandmatters.org

WTOP Maryland Politics
https://wtop.com/maryland/

Staying Informed and Engaged

As we continue learning more about the political process ourselves, we want to share information that may help others become more informed and engaged citizens as well. Civic engagement is an ongoing learning experience, and we believe informed communities help build stronger communities.