Maryland’s primary election is finally upon us, after months of legal back-and-forth and partisan fighting over newly drawn congressional maps.

Local residents have a bevy of choices to make — from selecting a governor and other top state officials to choosing county leaders. There’s been a lot going on, so if you’re not fully caught up on the state of the races, we’ve got you covered. (We also have a handy guide to the candidates running for state office, as well as the top races in Montgomery and Prince George’s County.)

How and where can I vote?

You have a few options. Early voting begins on Thursday, July 7 and will continue every day through July 14. Locations will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Montgomery County has created a map of early voting locations that will show you which of the 14 early voting centers is closest to your address. Prince Georgians can vote early and in-person at one of these 13 locations.

You can also vote by mail. The deadline to request a mailed or faxed mail-in ballot is Tuesday, July 12. If you want a mail-in ballot delivered via the internet, the deadline to request that is July 15. You can also pick up a mail-in ballot in-person until July 19, Primary Election Day. Your mail-in ballot must be mailed or deposited at an election drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Click here for a list of drop boxes in Montgomery County, and click here for list of a drop boxes in Prince George’s County.

And, of course, you can vote in-person on July 19 between 7am and 8pm. Montgomery County has a list of polling places that is subject to change, as does Prince George’s County. Thanks to redistricting, it’s best to check and make sure your voting precinct hasn’t changed. This look-up tool will tell you your voting district, where to vote, and the status of a mail-in or provisional ballot.

Can I still register to vote?

Yes. The deadline has passed to switch your party affiliation for the primary, but you can register during the early voting period at an early voting center or your assigned election day polling location. To be eligible to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, a Maryland resident, and at least 16 years old. To prove your Maryland residency, you can show a Maryland-issued driver’s license, non-driver ID card, change of address card, or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or some other government document with your name and Maryland address. You can also update your address on your voter registration during the early voting period. To check on the status of your voter registration, click here.

If you have questions, you can contact Montgomery County’s Board of Elections or Prince George’s County Board of Elections. 

What offices are up for election?

Marylanders are picking a new governor, as outgoing Republican Larry Hogan reaches his term limit (and there’s long been speculation he’s got presidential hopes). There’s a bevy of Democratic candidates to choose from, but recent polling shows many voters — both Republican and Democrat — are still undecided. On the Democrat side, state comptroller Peter Franchot, former U.S. labor secretary Tom Perez, and former non-profit CEO Wes Moore are tied for the top spot in a field of 10 candidates. (Former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker suspended his campaign after running out of money, but will still appear on the ballot.) On the Republican side, Hogan-endorsed Kelly Schulz and Trump-backed delegate Dan Cox are in a close race. Other statewide races include attorney general, where U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown is facing off against Katie Curran O’Malley, the wife of Brown’s former boss, Gov. Martin O’Malley in the Democratic primary.

Locally, the focus is on Montgomery County, where the primary race for county executive is heating up. (In the deeply blue county, winners are usually official in the primary, with the general election serving as merely a formality.) Incumbent Marc Elrich hopes to hold onto his seat by fending off three Democratic opponents, including wealthy businessman David Blair, who has spent millions trying to unseat him. While the most recent polling put Elrich ahead of Blair and current county councilmember Hans Reimer, Blair’s well-funded attacks have ramped up in recent weeks.

In Prince George’s County, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is seeking re-election, and she is largely expected to comfortably win her primary over four lesser-known Democratic candidates.

For a more in-depth look at local races, consult our voter guide.