When Marylanders vote for the General Assembly, they vote by district. Understanding the district system answers a common question: who, exactly, represents me in Annapolis?
How many legislative districts does Maryland have?
Maryland has 47 legislative election districts. One state senator and three delegates are elected from each district.
Why does the math come to 188?
The numbers fit together neatly:
- 47 districts × 1 senator = 47 senators
- 47 districts × 3 delegates = 141 delegates
- 47 + 141 = 188 members of the General Assembly
That total matches the size of the legislature described in our explainer on how the Maryland General Assembly works.
How long do members serve?
Members of both the Senate and the House of Delegates serve four-year terms.
What does that mean for a voter?
Every voter lives in one legislative district and is represented by the same four members: one senator and three delegates. That gives residents a small, defined group to contact about state issues, from schools and health coverage to taxes and transport.
How do you find your district?
The State Board of Elections and the General Assembly’s own website offer tools to look up the district for a given address. Because district lines are drawn through a redistricting process, a voter who has moved should check their current district rather than relying on an old one. Voters planning for November can also read our guide to Maryland’s 2026 general election dates and hours.
Why it matters
District representation decides who writes the state’s laws and budget. Because four people from each district are elected together, a single election can change a district’s whole delegation, which is part of why turnout in legislative races draws attention.
This article is a general explainer. Districts are redrawn periodically, so confirm your own district with the State Board of Elections.
Sources: Maryland General Assembly; Ballotpedia; Maryland Manual On-Line
