Register and Plan to Vote
Prepare to Vote
Maryland voters may choose to vote in person or to request a mail-in ballot this year. Please check dates carefully as well as your voting location, which may have changed.Step 1. Register to vote by Oct. 13 here, if you are not already registered.
Not sure if you are registered? Check here (click on "verification of registration")
Step 2. Decide how you want to vote this fall.
1. By mail (your request for a mail-in ballot must be received by Oct. 20 here). Please note: You will receive your ballot by mail, or by download, if requested. Completed ballots must be mailed by Nov. 3 or dropped off at your local board of elections office, an early voting center, or election-day voting center. Ballot drop-off boxes may also be available.2. In-person early voting (Oct. 26-Nov. 2 at these locations)
3. In-person on Election Day
Step 3. Inform your conscience, learn about the candidates, then vote.
2020 Congressional Candidate Survey
About the Survey
Every Presidential election year, the Maryland Catholic Conference surveys the state’s candidates for U.S. Congress on their positions regarding issues of interest to Catholics, and offers them an opportunity to share why Maryland Catholics should vote for them.
The responses of the Democratic and Republican candidates in the general election are posted here.
2020 General Election
October 13: Deadline to register to vote (you may also register in-person on Election Day)
October 20: Deadline to submit mail-in ballot request
October 26-November 2: Early voting
November 3: Election Day
Using this Survey
IMPORTANT: The Maryland Catholic Conference does not endorse or oppose any candidate, under any circumstance. No inference of endorsement or opposition should be concluded as a result of the information provided here.
1. Click the button to find your Congressional district.
Candidate Survey Issue Statements
Each candidate was asked to “agree” or “disagree” with the seven issue statements below.
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS. Congress should enact legislation that supports the ability of low-income families to choose the education best suited to their children’s needs, such as tax credits for business donations to organizations that provide scholarships for K-12 students to attend nonpublic schools.
- POVERTY. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and other similar initiatives provide funding for millions of low-income Americans who cannot afford to adequately feed themselves or their families. Congress should oppose attempts to reduce funding for these, and similar anti-poverty initiatives through budget cuts.
- HEALTHCARE. Congress should reject structural changes to Medicaid, including changing the program into a block grant to the states, which would leave millions of people who rely on Medicaid at risk of losing access to health care. Any modification to the Medicaid system should prioritize improvement and affordable access to quality care over cost savings.
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS. Congress should pass legislation to strengthen the enforcement of existing conscience protection laws by establishing a private right of action allowing providers who are discriminated against because of their refusal to perform, refer for or pay for abortions to defend their rights in court.
- IMMIGRATION. Congress should pass comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform providing a path to citizenship for undocumented persons in the U.S., while preserving family unity and restoring due process protections to enforcement policies.
- POLICE REFORM. Congress should pass comprehensive legislation that addresses patterns of discrimination and use-of-force by law enforcement officers, through initiatives such as enhanced training, increased accountability, and ending the use of chokeholds.
- ENVIRONMENT. In coming years, climate change is poised to impose significant impacts on all lives, especially among the world's poor. To combat this growing threat to our planet and to humanity, Congress should take up and pass legislation, such as a "carbon dividend" proposal that would impose fees on the sales of fossil fuels and distribute to households the funds raised, to encourage them to move away from fossil fuels.
2020 Congressional Candidate Responses
Use the drop menu below to go directly to responses for candidates in a specific Congressional district.
Answer Key
✓ = Agree | ✕ = Disagree | Blank = No Response
* indicates incumbents
Candidates who did not respond to the survey are marked as “DID NOT RESPOND.”
District 1
Andy Harris* (Republican)
DID NOT RESPOND
Mia Mason (Democrat)
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: ✕
- POVERTY: ✓
- HEALTHCARE: ✓
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS: ✕
- IMMIGRATION: ✓
- POLICE REFORM: ✓
- ENVIRONMENT: ✓
STATEMENT: Our religion has changed to accept all which include who I am and with a change in our administration reverted that acceptance of our communities. Therefore, we cannot allow federal funds or pass laws to allow pathways of religious freedom to allow further discrimination.
District 2
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger* (Democrat)
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: blank
- POVERTY: ✓
- HEALTHCARE: ✓
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS: blank
- IMMIGRATION: ✓
- POLICE REFORM: ✓
- ENVIRONMENT: ✓
STATEMENT: I believe the two most important things in life are faith and family and I share many of the same values and priorities as the Catholic Church. I got into politics because I want to help people and now, more than ever, Washington needs champions for the poor and underserved. We must strengthen Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security and ensure all Americans can access affordable healthcare. I will fight for a fair and compassionate immigration system.I am fighting to preserve tax benefits for charitable giving and ensure programs like Catholic Charities, Head Start and Meals on Wheels get the resources they need.
Johnny Ray Salling (Republican)
DID NOT RESPOND
District 3
Charles Anthony (Republican)
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: ✓
- POVERTY: ✓
- HEALTHCARE: ✓
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS: ✓
- IMMIGRATION: ✓
- POLICE REFORM: ✓
- ENVIRONMENT: ✓
STATEMENT: Because I will not support abortion, but I will support freedom of religion, support for the family, and continue the traditional support for our county and our belief in law and order.
John Sarbanes* (Democrat)
DID NOT RESPOND
District 4
Anthony G. Brown* (Democrat)
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: blank
- POVERTY: ✓
- HEALTHCARE: ✓
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS: blank
- IMMIGRATION: blank
- POLICE REFORM: blank
- ENVIRONMENT: blank
STATEMENT: blank
George E. McDermott (Republican)
DID NOT RESPOND
District 5
Steny H. Hoyer* (Democrat)
DID NOT RESPOND
Chris Palombi (Republican)
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: blank
- POVERTY: blank
- HEALTHCARE: blank
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS: blank
- IMMIGRATION: blank
- POLICE REFORM: blank
- ENVIRONMENT: blank
STATEMENT: I was raised Catholic, and am employed with a Catholic high school that follows the Xaverian Brothers values of Zeal, Trust, Humility, Compassion and Simplicity. I am pro-life and believe in religious, educational, and medical freedom for the individual. I believe employment and free market solutions lead to prosperity and I will work toward sensible reforms for the betterment of humanity while being fiscally and environmentally conservative.
District 6
Neil C. Parrott (Republican)
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: ✓
- POVERTY: ✕
- HEALTHCARE: ✕
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS: ✓
- IMMIGRATION: ✕
- POLICE REFORM: ✕
- ENVIRONMENT: ✕
STATEMENT: I serve as a Delegate with the primary goal of blessing people. The Bible is my guide, so valuing human life, from conception to end-of-life, is of utmost importance to me. Families also need to be supported, as they pass on faith and values to the next generation. My voting record shows that I value life, marriage, and God-given freedoms. My intent is to help others, and I would be honored to have your vote.
David Trone* (Democrat)
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: ✕
- POVERTY: ✓
- HEALTHCARE: ✓
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS: ✕
- IMMIGRATION: ✓
- POLICE REFORM: ✓
- ENVIRONMENT: ✓
STATEMENT: As a person of faith, I believe we all have a duty to make life better for those around us. As a Member of Congress, I have been a voice for those without a PAC or lobbyist representing them in Washington. In my first term, I have made real progress to end the addiction epidemic, reform our criminal justice system, invest in mental health care, and find lifesaving cures to devastating diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
District 7
Kimberly Klacik (Republican)
DID NOT RESPOND
Kweisi Mfume* (Democrat)
DID NOT RESPOND
District 8
Gregory Thomas Coll (Republican)
- EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS: ✓
- POVERTY: ✓
- HEALTHCARE: ✕
- CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS: ✓
- IMMIGRATION: ✕
- POLICE REFORM: ✓
- ENVIRONMENT: ✕
STATEMENT: Gregory Coll, rocket scientist, businessman, family man married with three children, is the Republican candidate for Maryland Congressional District 8. Priorities: Healthcare Services, Strong Military, and Pro-Life. Strengths: Problem Solving, Leadership, and Management.
Jamie Raskin* (Democrat)
DID NOT RESPOND