Maryland: What to expect on election night

This is a big election year in Maryland, long a blue state that became majority-minority over the past decade, with statewide races for governor, attorney general and comptroller, all 188 seats in the General Assembly, the state’s eight U.S. House seats and a U.S. Senate seat.

Democrats control the Legislature and will be trying to regain the governor’s office held by the departing Larry Hogan, who is only the second Republican in the state’s history to be reelected governor. State law bars anyone from seeking a third term.

Maryland’s top race features Democrat Wes Moore against Republican Dan Cox for the governorship. Moore, a bestselling author and combat veteran, has held double-digit leads in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. Cox is a first-term state legislator who denied the 2020 presidential election results.

Democrats hold a 7-1 advantage in Maryland’s U.S. House delegation, and most of the seats are viewed as safe for the incumbents. However, after a judge struck down the state’s congressional map this year due to partisan gerrymandering, the state’s western Maryland district is looking competitive. Democratic incumbent David Trone is in a rematch with Republican Del. Neil Parrott in a district that has been redrawn in a way that improves Parrott’s chances.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, faces Republican Chris Chaffee in his run for a second term.

Maryland’s ballot also includes a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana.

Here’s a look at what to expect on election night:

ELECTION NIGHT

Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.

HOW MARYLAND VOTES

Voting by mail has become popular in Maryland since the pandemic. Maryland also offers in-person early voting. Same-day voter registration is available for eligible Maryland residents at all...