Talbot Leads Maryland in Early Voting Turnout, at More Than Twice the Statewide Rate

EASTON, MARYLAND — Talbot County voters have turned out early at a higher rate than voters in any other Maryland county, according to unofficial state figures through Saturday, Oct. 24.

In the first three days of early voting for the Nov. 3 general election, 2,780 Talbot voters cast ballots. That is 9.62% of the county's 28,892 eligible active voters, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections' county-by-county early voting report. Statewide, 195,054 of 4,293,322 eligible active voters had voted early, or 4.54%.

Kent County was second at 7.00%. Queen Anne's followed at 6.61%, St. Mary's at 6.43% and Calvert at 6.31%.

Talbot's turnout was heaviest at the start. The report shows 1,280 Talbot ballots on Thursday, Oct. 22, the first day, then 1,080 on Friday and 420 on Saturday. Saturday was the lowest of the three days statewide as well.

The state labels the figures unofficial. Its totals do not include provisional voters or mail-in ballots, which the report calls absentee. The report lists eligible active voters as of Oct. 24.

Early voting continues every day through Thursday, Oct. 29, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department Bingo Hall, 315 Leonard Rieck Drive, Easton, according to the Talbot County Board of Elections. It is the county's only early voting center.

Voters who want a mail-in ballot sent to them by mail must request it by Tuesday, Oct. 27. The deadline to request a print-at-home mail-in ballot delivered by web is Friday, Oct. 30.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Talbot County Board of Elections is at 215 Bay Street, Suite 7, in Easton. It can be reached at 410-770-8099 or talbot.elections [at] maryland.gov.