Vote Saturday - Early Voting!

Maryland’s Early Voting Week: Heat, Storms, and Empty Polling Places

Weather, not politics, is shaping the story of early voting so far.

Early voting in Maryland opened this week under the kind of weather that makes even the most civic‑minded voter think twice about leaving the house. Temperatures pushed into the mid‑90s, humidity spiked, and a chain of fast‑moving thunderstorms rolled across the state, knocking out power in pockets of Baltimore County and soaking much of the I‑95 corridor.

Election workers across multiple counties described the same scene: quiet rooms, short lines, and turnout far lighter than they’ve seen in recent cycles. Several longtime poll judges said the first two days of early voting were “the slowest in years,” with some sites seeing only a trickle of voters during what are normally peak hours.

Meteorologists say the weather pattern is partly to blame. The combination of extreme heat and late‑day storms has created a narrow window for comfortable outdoor activity — and early voting sites have felt the impact.

But the weekend may offer a break.

Saturday: A Clear Window

Forecast models show Saturday as the calmest, driest day of the early‑voting period, with temperatures in the high 80s and almost no chance of rain. After days of oppressive heat and unpredictable storms, it’s the first day that looks broadly accessible for anyone who prefers to avoid weather‑related complications.

Sunday: Storms Return

The reprieve is short‑lived. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to move back into the region Sunday afternoon, with higher precipitation chances across central and southern Maryland.

Election Officials Watching Closely

State and local election officials haven’t released comprehensive turnout numbers yet, but several have acknowledged that weather has been a factor. They’re watching the weekend closely to see whether the clearer conditions on Saturday bring more people through the doors.