Primary Elections in Maryland
Maryland is a closed primary state, which means that voters registered as Democrats may vote only for Democratic candidates, and voters registered as Republicans may vote only for Republican candidates.
The two other recognized political parties in Maryland (Libertarians and Greens) choose their candidates by other methods so they do not appear on the primary ballots. Therefore, third party and unaffiliated candidates are not included in this 2008 Primary guide. They will be included in the General Election Guide this fall.
Maryland law prohibits write-in candidates in the primary election. Candidates for Judge of the Circuit Court appear on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.