The unofficial results from Maryland's 2026 primary elections are in, highlighting key races and a concerning dip in voter turnout.
Why it matters: Voter engagement in the 2026 primaries was significantly lower than in 2024, impacting the outcomes of several high-profile races, including a gubernatorial rematch.
Only 16.68% of eligible voters participated in the 2026 primaries, translating to 614,845 out of 3,686,495 eligible voters.
This turnout is over 10% lower than the 27.63% recorded during the 2024 primaries, which included a presidential election.
All counties on the Eastern Shore reported turnout, with Dorchester County leading at 24.11%.
Driving the news: The results reveal a competitive political atmosphere as candidates gear up for the November general election.
Incumbent Governor Wes Moore will face Republican nominee Dan Cox in a rematch after defeating him in the 2022 gubernatorial race.
Adrian Boago secured the Democratic nomination to replace Congressman Steny Hoyer in District 5, facing Republican Chris Chaffee in November.
The race for Maryland Comptroller remains uncontested, with Democratic incumbent Brooke Lierman and Republican Sonya Dunn set to compete.
State of play: The primary election results from various counties indicate both competitive races and uncontested seats across Maryland.
Dorchester County's results included key positions such as sheriff and county council, with all precincts reporting by June 23, 2026.
Mark Lewis and Christine LaMonica emerged as leading candidates for sheriff in their respective parties.
Vote counting in Dorchester County will resume on June 25, 2026, with official results expected to be certified in the first week of July.
The big picture: The dynamics of local and state races are shaping up as candidates prepare for the general election.
Anne Arundel County saw moderate Democrats endorsed by retiring state Senator Pam Beidle gain traction, particularly Allison Pickard, who won the county executive primary.
State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess is seeking a third term and currently holds a comfortable lead over challenger Carolynn Grammas.
Political analysts suggest incumbents like Leitess have advantages due to name recognition and established voter bases.
What they're saying: Candidates and officials are reacting to the primary results and the implications for November's elections.
"Winning the Democratic primary is no guarantee of victory in purple Anne Arundel, where nearly 1 in 3 registered voters are Republicans," said political experts.
Leitess emphasized her commitment to leading by example in her role as state’s attorney, stating, "I won’t ask them to do anything I won’t do myself."
By the numbers: The turnout and results from specific counties reveal trends and shifts in voter engagement.
In Dorchester County, turnout was 24.11%, slightly down from 25.89% in 2024.
Queen Anne's County saw a drastic drop to 14.58% from 31.33% in the previous election.
Talbot County experienced a similar decline, with turnout falling to 21.52% compared to 34.24% in 2024.
What's next: As candidates prepare for the November general election, the focus will be on mobilizing voters.
Campaign strategies will likely pivot to address the low turnout and engage more voters ahead of the November elections.
Election results certification is expected in early July, providing clearer insights into the final tallies and potential shifts in candidate standings.
With the political climate shifting, the upcoming months will be key for candidates to solidify their platforms and outreach efforts.