Why It Matters
Maryland’s official certification of primary election results marks the formal approval of candidates who will compete in November’s general election, while the state’s first statewide use of risk-limiting audits represents a new safeguard in election administration designed to verify ballot-counting accuracy through statistical sampling rather than manual recounts of all ballots.
What Happened
The Maryland State Board of Canvassers certified the results of the June 23 primary election on Thursday, covering all federal and state races on the ballot. Jared DeMarinis, the state’s elections administrator, announced the certification at a State Board of Elections meeting.
All U.S. House incumbents from Maryland secured their party nominations and will advance to the November 3 general election. In the race to replace retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer’s 5th District seat, Adrian Boafo won the Democratic nomination after defeating approximately two dozen candidates in a competitive primary. Hoyer had endorsed Boafo. Republican Chris Chaffee will face Boafo in the fall general election.
Local election boards across Maryland conducted risk-limiting audits for the first time this year, a process enabled by state legislation. The audits use statistical analysis to verify results reported by voting tabulators without auditing every single ballot cast.
DeMarinis said in a statement that the certification process reflects “careful oversight” and noted that “this step of public certification and independent oversight ensures that every eligible vote is accounted for and that the public can have confidence in the integrity of our elections.”
By the Numbers
June 23 — date of the primary election
Two dozen — approximate number of Democratic candidates in the 5th District race
Nov. 3 — date of the general election
Zoom Out
Risk-limiting audits have gained adoption across states in recent years as a way to validate election results with greater statistical confidence while reducing the administrative burden of hand-counting ballots. Maryland Senate President Ferguson Fends Off First Primary Challenge in 12 Years, highlighting competitive dynamics in the state’s primary contests this cycle. The state primary featured only Republican and Democratic candidates, reflecting Maryland’s recognized ballot access rules.
What’s Next
Candidates for statewide and federal office will campaign toward the November 3 general election. Officials continue seeking federal support as key bridge replacement costs climb to $5.2 billion, a fiscal matter that may factor into fall races. The Maryland Green Party has named eight nominees for 2026 races after an online primary, positioning third-party candidates for November ballots.