Maryland election officials anticipate record turnout and begin early voting

BALTIMORE — Maryland election officials are expecting record voter turnout this year.

Voters can cast their ballots in person at more than 90 early voting locations in Maryland starting Thursday morning. Here’s everything you need to know about early voting.

“The numbers are probably higher than the last election and that’s not unusual when there are close races,” said Armstead Jones, elections director for the city of Baltimore.

This year, Maryland voters will be able to elect and vote on a new president and a new U.S. senator important topics.

“For me it’s always important to vote and spread your voice,” said Brian Forster of Baltimore.

Early voting will take place October 24-31 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here is a list of the 97 early voting sites in Maryland. There are eight early voting locations in Baltimore.

“The numbers will be high”

Armstead says his team in Baltimore is prepared for the next step in the election process.

“I expect the numbers to be high,” Jones said. “I think there are a lot of individuals who want to get out and exercise their right to vote for the candidate of their choice.”

Several states, including neighboring Virginia, have already opened polls to early voters and have seen record turnout.

CBS News confirms that Virginia reported 1.1 million people voted early. South Carolina reported that 125,000 people voted early in a single day. Three million people voted in Florida, and 2.2 million people voted in Georgia.

“It’s really practical”

According to the Maryland State Board of Elections, more than 686,000 mail-in ballots have been requested in Maryland and more than 100,000 have already been counted.

“I think it’s really convenient to allow early voting on your own schedule, and lines are long on Election Day,” Forster said.