EARLY VOTING, MAIL-IN BALLOT NUMBERS SURGED: Record numbers of voters in a gubernatorial election year turned out for early voting over the last week, with early voting and mail-in ballots likely to top 1 million before Election Day, according to the latest data from the Maryland State Board of Elections. A total of 604,396 voters cast ballots in person during the eight days of early voting that started Oct. 22 and ended Thursday, Oct. 29 with a record-breaking 124,189 on the final day. Additionally, local election officials had received 357,650 mail-in ballots as of Thursday, with nearly 300,000 more that had been mailed out but had yet to be returned. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
- Carroll County voters cast 18,498 ballots during early voting this year, about 27% more than in 2022, according to unofficial state data. The jump came despite lower turnout in the June primary. Marissa Yelenik/The Carroll County Times.
NONPROFIT’s PRO-MOORE/ANTI-QUESTION 3 ADS DRAW DEMOCRATS’ CONCERN: Ads urging Marylanders to vote for Gov. Wes Moore but against the congressional redistricting ballot measure he wants are being funded by the Progressive Prosperity Caucus, a controversial nonprofit that Democrats in other states believe is a front for Republicans. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
MOORE’s PROMISES: WHERE DO THEY STAND: Gov. Wes Moore, widely expected to win a second term on Tuesday, made several promises since taking office four years ago. Like every Maryland governor, he’s in charge of the budget, tens of thousands of state workers and countless programs, from managing fish populations to repaving highways and funding schools. And Moore has his own initiatives and to-do list. Here’s a look at the progress he has, and hasn’t, made so far. Pamela Wood and Lee O. Sanderlin/The Baltimore Banner.
MOORE’s BRONZE STAR APPROVED WITHOUT KEY SIGNATURE: A retired Army general who held final approval authority for Bronze Star medals in Wes Moore’s Afghanistan chain of command says he signed Moore’s 2024 retroactive award recommendation after being assured that Moore’s former brigade commander supported it and would sign next. That promised endorsement never came. Drew Sullins/The Baltimore Sun.
ELECTIONS OFFICIALS REPORT FEW AI-DEEP FAKE DISINFORMATION ADS: Maryland election officials have received five complaints under the state’s new law targeting AI-generated election disinformation, but found only one violation — a campaign advertisement that gave voters the wrong Election Day date. A Maryland law enacted in June gives the State Board of Elections limited authority to address certain forms of election disinformation, and questions remain about whether the penalties for violating it may not be enough to deter campaigns from spreading false information. Courtney Bell/The Baltimore Sun.
BLACK POLITICAL LEADERS COULD MAKE LANDMARK GAINS: The 2026 elections are shaping up to be historic for Black leadership in Maryland. Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties are likely to elect Black executives, the most ever at one time, with a fifth Black candidate running in Wicomico County. And from Congress to the General Assembly to county councils, candidates have a chance to notch landmark wins or expand already strong Black representation across Maryland. John-John Williams/The Baltimore Banner.
NEW SCULPTURE AT STATE HOUSE HONORS BLACK REVOLUTIONARY PATRIOTS: A nearly forgotten part of Maryland’s Revolutionary War history is now permanently enshrined on the grounds of the Maryland State House. A new monument, called “Black Patriots, The Pursuit of Transcendent Liberty,” commemorates the roughly 150 Black Marylanders — some free, some enslaved— who fought against the British during the Revolutionary War. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
WILL A RIGHT-WING PAC HELP CONSERVATIVES CONTROL SCHOOL BOARDS? A full slate of conservative candidates — backed by the national right-wing 1776 Project political action committee — is trying to take control of four Maryland school boards in next week’s midterm elections. The candidates in Somerset, Frederick, Harford and Talbot counties are promoting an agenda that includes limiting some books in school libraries, eliminating diversity initiatives, and embracing fiscal conservatism and school choice. Liz Bowie/The Baltimore Banner.
HUTZELL: POLITICAL SPECTACLES, SPECTACULAR FALLS & FUMBLES: Lopsided contests, foregone outcomes and, in some cases, stakes so small only the wonkiest of political wonks care. And yet — and yet — Maryland has seen moments of breathtaking political spectacle this fall. With two days until the polls close, it’s time to recognize the best, the worst and the just plain weird of election 2026. Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
FREDERICK GOP SEEKS PROBE INTO PAC-FITZWATER CONNECTION: Frederick Republicans say a high-profile Maryland political fundraiser violated state laws barring coordination between candidates and a super PAC. The complaint, filed this week with the state Board of Elections by the Frederick County Republican Party, alleges that Baltimore-based consultant Sophia Silbergeld was paid last fall to work on a fundraising effort for Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, a Democrat. Silbergeld now serves as treasurer of United Frederick, a PAC that had spent nearly $500,000 as of Friday on mailings and online advertising attacking Jeff Holtzinger, Fitzwater’s Republican opponent for county executive, constituting an illegal coordination of campaigns, the Republicans charge. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
HOWARD LOOKS AT HIGHER PROPERTY TAX ON PRIVATE ICE CENTERS: Howard County legislators are eyeing the capability to set higher property tax rates for private detention centers as U.S. ICE plans to set up shop in Elkridge. ICE wants to move its current office and detention facility from Baltimore City to a privately owned office building in Howard County. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
COMMENTARY: IN BA CO, ‘COUNCILMANIC COURTESY’ CAN SERVE JUST ONE: A just-passed Baltimore County Council resolution demonstrates how deference to the wishes of a single lawmaker in whose district a land-use matter is located – known as “councilmanic courtesy” – is used to serve interests other than those of the general public. It’s also an example of how members of the council make up the rules as they go along for the sake of political expediency. David Plymyer/Baltimore Brew.
NATIONAL AQUARIUM PLANS TO LAY OFF 30: The National Aquarium plans to lay off 30 employees as part of a “strategic restructuring” that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Employees were told about the restructuring plan and job eliminations this week. The notification came less than four months after Jennifer Driban started as president and CEO of the private, non-profit organization, considered one of the top aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland. Ed Gunts/Baltimore Fishbowl.
