The state of Maryland is abbreviated as MD. According to countryaah, the capital of Maryland is Annapolis, and the other major cities are Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring and Germantown. Baltimore is the largest city in the state with a population of 602,495. It is known for its vibrant downtown scene and cultural attractions such as museums and theaters. Columbia is the second largest city in Maryland with a population of 99,615 and it’s known for its close proximity to nearby attractions such as Merriweather Post Pavilion and outdoor activities such as camping and fishing. Silver Spring is the third largest city in Maryland with a population of 79,622 and it’s known for its proximity to nearby universities such as University of Maryland College Park and outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.
Politics in Maryland
Maryland is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and has a long history of political involvement. The state has played a major role in both national and local politics, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to its current status as one of the most progressive states in the country. Maryland is home to two major political parties – Democrats and Republicans – but it also has a significant number of independent voters who have an impact on elections.
At the federal level, Maryland is represented by two senators in Congress – Ben Cardin (D) and Chris Van Hollen (D). Both are members of the Democratic Party, which holds all eight congressional seats in Maryland. The state also has 8 electoral votes that go to whichever presidential candidate wins a majority of votes statewide during an election.
At the state level, Maryland’s government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The governor is elected every four years and is responsible for setting policy and managing the budget for all state agencies. The General Assembly consists of 47 delegates who are elected every four years to represent their districts; it passes laws that govern all aspects of life within Maryland’s borders. Finally, there are 23 circuit courts across Maryland which are responsible for hearing cases involving civil law or criminal law matters.
The Democratic Party holds a majority in both chambers of the General Assembly as well as holding all statewide offices including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, treasurer, secretary of state, and several other positions. This strong Democratic presence has led to some progressive legislation such as raising minimum wage or legalizing same-sex marriage in 2013. However, Republicans have had success at local levels with several county executive positions held by GOP candidates throughout Maryland’s history.
Overall, politics in Maryland tend to be more liberal than other states across America due to its close proximity to Washington D.C., making it easy for constituents to stay informed on national issues without having to travel far away from home. Additionally, there are many active advocacy groups that work towards creating positive change within their communities such as Common Cause or Amnesty International USA which help keep citizens informed about what’s happening politically in their area so they can make educated decisions when voting during elections.
Elections in Maryland
In Maryland, elections are held every two years and are overseen by the state Board of Elections. The Governor is elected every four years in a statewide vote, while all other statewide offices (Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Treasurer and Secretary of State) are elected on the same ballot as the Governor. In addition to these offices, Marylanders also elect a 47-member House of Delegates and a 47-member Senate. All eight congressional seats are up for election every two years.
The primary election in Maryland is held in early June of each year and is open to all registered voters regardless of party affiliation. During a primary election, voters select the candidate they wish to represent their party in the general election. The general election is held in November and includes both major party candidates as well as any third-party or independent candidates who have qualified for the ballot.
In order to be eligible to vote in either primary or general elections, citizens must be registered at least 30 days prior to the date of the election. To register to vote in Maryland one must be 18 years old by Election Day; a resident of Maryland; a citizen of the United States; and not currently serving any form of probation or parole due to a felony conviction.
Voters may choose either an absentee ballot or visit their local polling place on Election Day. Absentee ballots must be requested by mail at least 28 days prior to Election Day and received no later than 8 p.m on Election Day; all absentee ballots must also be postmarked no later than three days prior to Election Day or hand-delivered no later than 8 p.m on Election Day for them to count towards final results.
Voting laws vary from county-to-county but generally speaking most polling places open at 7:00 am on Election Day and close at 8:00 pm that evening; However, some counties may offer extended hours depending on local rules and regulations so it’s best for voters to check with their local board of elections ahead of time if they’re unsure about when polls open or close in their area. Additionally, some counties may offer early voting opportunities during certain weeks prior to Election Day for those who cannot make it out on that day itself due to work constraints or other commitments that might prevent them from being able to cast their votes on time otherwise.
Overall, voting is an important part of democracy and it’s important that citizens take advantage of this right by registering ahead of time (if necessary) then casting their ballots during elections whether through early voting opportunities or during regular polling hours on Election Day itself so they can have an impact within their local communities as well as helping shape state policies across Maryland as a whole.
Major Counties in Maryland
According to topbbacolleges, Montgomery County is located in the central part of Maryland and is the most populous county in the state. It is home to many affluent communities such as Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Potomac. Montgomery County has a diverse population with a strong economy based on technology, education, government, and healthcare. The county boasts many attractions such as the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport, Six Flags America amusement park in Largo, and Strathmore Music Center in North Bethesda. Montgomery County also has a number of parks which feature trails for walking, biking, and horseback riding as well as fishing spots along the Potomac River.
Baltimore County is located in northern Maryland along Chesapeake Bay and includes Baltimore City. It is known for its vibrant waterfront districts such as Fell’s Point and Canton which offer shopping, dining, entertainment options and more. The county also features several state parks including Patapsco Valley State Park which provides access to hiking trails along riverside bluffs and Lake Roland Park which offers scenic lake views for canoeing or kayaking adventures. Baltimore County also has an extensive public transportation system with light rail lines connecting major cities within the county such as Towson University to downtown Baltimore City.
Major Cities in Maryland
According to acronymmonster, Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland and the 30th most populous city in the United States. It is located on the Patapsco River near Chesapeake Bay and is home to a diverse population of over 600,000 residents. The city is a major center for business, culture, and education with many universities such as Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland, Baltimore. Baltimore features several iconic attractions such as the National Aquarium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Fort McHenry National Monument, and the Inner Harbor which offers shopping, dining, entertainment options. There are also several parks within the city such as Patterson Park which has a nature center with trails for walking or biking as well as outdoor sculptures and monuments celebrating local history.
Annapolis is the capital of Maryland located on Chesapeake Bay about 30 miles south of Baltimore City. It is known for its charming colonial architecture and bustling waterfront districts which feature many shops and restaurants including City Dock which overlooks vessels sailing along Annapolis Harbor. Annapolis also has a rich maritime history with sites such as Annapolis Maritime Museum where visitors can learn about the area’s seafaring past or visit one of its many historic ships docked at City Dock. The city also has numerous parks scattered throughout offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as Sandy Point State Park which features beachfront access to swimming or fishing along Chesapeake Bay or Quiet Waters Park where visitors can explore trails for biking or horseback riding through wooded terrain.