Maryland Governor
Governor · Maryland
Wes Moore won re-election by 32.1 points over Dan Cox.
Source: civicAPI unofficial results and race callsUpdated Nov 8, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
Where the race moved
Against the 2024 presidential vote
Every county, 2024 to 2026
Each dot is a county, sized by votes cast and colored by who carried it in 2026. Dots above the line moved toward Moore compared with the 2024 presidential vote; 15 of 24 did. The largest shift among the bigger counties: Montgomery, +9.9 points.
Source: civicAPI county results (unofficial); 2024 president: MEDSL precinct returnsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET
The seat's recent races
Source: Past results: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
By county
Show 16 more
Bar: share of the state's vote. Shift: change in margin from the 2024 presidential vote, + toward Democrats.
Source: civicAPI county results (unofficial); 2024 president: MEDSL precinct returnsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET
Polls against the result
The final average had Moore ahead by 35.8. Moore won by 32.1: a 3.7-point miss toward Democrats.
- Poll with Moore ahead
- Poll with Cox ahead
- Final polling average
- Result
| Pollster | Dates | Sample | Moore | Cox | Margin | Adjusted | Miss vs result | Grade | Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMBC Institute of Politics | Sep 22–Sep 27 | 776 LV | 51 | 24 | D+27 | D+36.1 | −5.1 | — | marylandmatters.org ↗ |
| Zenith Research for Blended Public Affairs, Perry JacobsonD-sponsored | Jul 27–Aug 3 | 800 LV | 58 | 31 | D+27 | D+28.1 | −5.1 | — | marylandmatters.org ↗ |
Adjusted: after correcting for the pollster's house effect and likely-voter screens. Miss: the poll's margin minus the result; + means the poll leaned Democratic. Grade: the pollster's accuracy in past elections, A+ to D (pollster ratings).
Source: Each poll's release, via The New York Times and Wikipedia poll listsUpdated Sep 27, 2026
Pre-election forecast (final, Nov 3)
Our model's last run before Election Day, Nov 3, 2026. It no longer updates.
- Wes Moore
- >99%
- Dan Cox
- <1%
- Projected margin
- D+35.2
The candidates
Incumbent governor (2023–present)Dan Cox (R)
Former state delegate from the 4th district (2019–2023), nominee for Maryland's 8th congressional district in 2016, nominee for governor in 2022, and candidate for MD-6 in 2024
Also on the ballot: Andy Ellis (Green), 2.1%; Cathy White (Working Class), 1.9%; Write-in (Nonpartisan), 0.3%
Also on this ballot here
| Attorney General | D+36.0 |
| Comptroller | D+35.9 |
Results within this state. Source: civicAPI unofficial results and race callsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET
Changes to this page
- · Race called for Moore.