Maryland Petition Signature Requirements (2026)
How many signatures you need to qualify for the ballot in Maryland, the 2026 petition filing windows, and how to validate your signatures against the Maryland voter file.
Signature requirements by office
| Office | Minimum signatures | % of enrolled voters |
|---|---|---|
| State Senator, State Representative | — | 5% |
| Governor, Lieutenant Governor | — | 5% |
| Attorney General, State Comptroller | — | 5% |
2026 petition deadlines
State Senator, State Representative; Governor, Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General, State Comptroller
- Primary petition deadline:
- February 24, 2026
- Primary election:
- June 23, 2026
- General election:
- November 3, 2026
Validate your Maryland petition signatures — free
Upload your petition pages and match every signer against the Maryland voter file in seconds. No paid account required.
Start validating freeFrequently asked questions
How many signatures do I need to get on the ballot in Maryland?
Maryland signature requirements vary by office. State Senator, State Representative: 5% of enrolled voters; Governor, Lieutenant Governor: 5% of enrolled voters; Attorney General, State Comptroller: 5% of enrolled voters. See the full table above for all offices.
What is the 2026 petition filing deadline in Maryland?
For the 2026 cycle in Maryland, the primary petition deadline is February 24, 2026. Confirm exact dates for your office above and with your election authority.
Can I validate Maryland petition signatures myself?
Yes. Petition Validator lets you upload petition pages and automatically matches each signer against the Maryland voter file — checking registration, address, and duplicates in seconds per signature. You can start free, no paid Victory Waves account required.
How does signature validation work?
You upload images of your petition pages; our system transcribes each signature and matches the signer's name, address, and date against official voter registration data to confirm they're a registered voter in the correct jurisdiction.
Last updated for the 2026 cycle on May 28, 2026. Always confirm requirements and deadlines with your state or local election authority.