MUNICIPAL ELECTION
The Town of Ocean City is holding the municipal election in conjunction with federal and state elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Registered Ocean City voters are able to vote in all elections at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway. The elections will be conducted independently. Voters must sign in at both the municipal and the federal/state registration desks that day. Your vote is important! If you have not already done so, please register to vote by Tuesday, October 15.
Visit http://www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/application.html to download and submit a Maryland Voter Registration Application.
VOTER REGISTRATION
The Universal Registration deadline as set by Maryland State Board of Elections is Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Download the voter registration application at http://elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/application.html.
Voter registration applications are available in all libraries, post offices, Motor Vehicle Departments, schools, state offices and at various other locations in Ocean City, including City Hall, Northside Park, the Public Safety Building and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
Mail the completed application to the Worcester County Election Board using the address provided on the application. You are considered a voter when you receive your Voter Notification Card from your local board of elections. For additional details, Ocean City residents should contact the Worcester County Election Board at (410) 632-1320.
The form can be used to change your name and address. The Worcester County Election Board must have a signed form before they can make any changes to your registration.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION
An Absentee Ballot Application must be received by the Board of Supervisors of Elections of Ocean City, c/o the Office of the City Clerk, 301 N. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland, 21842, no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026. Please allow ample time to receive the ballot in the mail and to return the ballot to the Board of Supervisors of Elections (City Clerk’s Office). Ballots will be mailed shortly after the October 6, 2026, candidate filing deadline.
2026 MUNICIPAL ELECTION CANDIDATE INFORMATION
The Mayoral seat and three (3) seats on the Ocean City Council are up for the 2026 Municipal Election. Those interested in running for an elected official position are required to:
- File a Certificate of Candidacy in person at the Office of the City Clerk by Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Written statement must be accompanied by a filing fee in the amount of $25.00.
- A completed Financial Disclosure Statement must be submitted with the Certificate of Candidacy.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
The newly elected Mayor, together with the newly elected Council members and the incumbent Council members shall meet at 7:30 p.m. on the Thursday in November immediately following the election, for the purpose of organization. At said organizational meeting, the Council members shall elect one (1) of their members as President, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council and shall preside at meetings of the Mayor and City Council. The Mayor and Council shall appoint one (1) member of the Council to serve as Secretary.
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office, Room 220, City Hall, 410-289-8842 for more information.
2026 ELECTION SCHEDULE
DATE | EVENT DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | Incumbent's resignation due (only if seeking mayoral seat) |
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | Certificates of Candidacy due (Candidate Filing Deadline) |
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | Universal Registration deadline |
Monday, October 26, 2026 | Interim Campaign Expenditure Reports due |
Monday, November 2, 2026 | Absentee Ballot request deadline |
Thursday, November 5, 2026 @ 7:30 p.m. | Organizational Meeting |
Monday, November 16, 2026 | Final Campaign Expenditure Reports due |
2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS
MAYOR CANDIDATE | VOTE TOTAL |
|---|---|
Peter S. Buas | 1132 |
Rick Meehan | 1324 |
COUNCIL CANDIDATES | VOTE TOTAL |
|---|---|
Tony DeLuca | 1461 |
Tony DeSanctis | 977 |
John Gehrig | 1509 |
Denis "Bubba" Jenkins | 644 |
George Leukel | 229 |
Jake Mitrecic | 1377 |
Larry Yates | 1295 |
2022 MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS
MAYOR CANDIDATE | VOTE TOTAL |
|---|---|
Rick Meehan | 1760 |
COUNCIL CANDIDATES | VOTE TOTAL |
|---|---|
Matthew James | 1566 |
Mark Paddack | 749 |
Carol Proctor | 1247 |
Will Savage | 1436 |
BALLOT QUESTION | FOR TOTAL | AGAINST TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
Question #1: Amendment to the Code of the Town Ocean City Maryland, Section 2-31, increasing the Mayor's salary. | 1223 | 823 |
Question #2: Amendment to the Code of the Town Ocean City Maryland, Section 2-32, increasing the salaries of the Council President and Council members. | 1210 | 845 |
Referendum Question #A: Local Referendum by Petition to Ordinance 2021-24 for the dedication of hotel rental tax revenue. | 1039 | 991 |