The 24 Maryland counties (including Baltimore City) each has elected officials to govern the local jursidction. While some county government combine executive and legislative authority in a single Council, the largest have a mayor or county executive and a city or county council. County governments are responsible for:

• Education - through school boards most of which are elected

• Criminal Justice - through elected Sheriffs, State's Attorneys and Judges (the other elective offices this year are largely administrative: Circuit Court Clerk, Register of Wills, and Orphans Court Judges)

• Environment - through planning and zoning

• Healthcare - through appointed health officials

• Civil rights - through criminal justice systems as well as appointed civil rights commissions and agencies

• Immigration enforcement - through criminal justice systems as well as executive actions and county ordinances

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In addition, some incorporated municipalities (towns, cities) also have elected officials to govern them.

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The following counties have local elections in 2022 that are contested (i.e. more than one candidate emerging from the primaries):​​

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• Allegany County

  • Cumberland City Council - ​2 seats - 5 candidates

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• Anne Arundel County 

  • 7 Council Districts, 1 seat each -19 candidates 

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• Baltimore City

  • Mayor: 16 candidates 

  • Comptroller - 1 candidate 

  • City Council President - 4 candidates  

  • City Council - 14 Districts, 1 seat each - 40 candidates 

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• Calvert County

  • County Commissioners - 3 Districts, 1 seat each - 7 candidates ​

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• Cecil County

  • County Executive - 3 candidates 

  • County Council - 2 Districts, 1 seat each - 6 candidates 

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• Washington County 

  • Mayor of Hagerstown - 2 candidates

  • Hagerstown City Council - ? seats - 11 candidates

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