The Ballot Brief
Howard County, Maryland

Howard Register of Wills

One candidate is tracked for Howard Register of Wills on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Byron E. Macfarlane. Candidate information follows official Howard County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Byron E. Macfarlane (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Howard Register of Wills, per the State Board of Elections' certified 2026 Gubernatorial General candidate list (updated September 7, 2026).

What this office does

Register of deeds or recorder. The register of deeds records and preserves land records: deeds, mortgages, liens, plats and, in some counties, vital records. Anyone buying, selling or borrowing against property depends on those records being accurate and searchable. The office is administrative; it does not set fees or property values.

This race. Every voter in Howard County votes on this seat. The sitting officeholder, Byron E. Macfarlane, is on the ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Maryland › Howard County › Howard Register of Wills

Byron E. Macfarlane

DemocraticIncumbent

Biography

Byron Macfarlane has served as Howard County Register of Wills since 2010; the campaign site describes him as the first openly LGBTQ+ elected official in Howard County's history and the youngest Register of Wills in Maryland history at the time of his election, per the campaign site. He previously served as legislative director to a state delegate, has been a member of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee since 2006, and holds a law degree from the University of Baltimore, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotHoward Sheriff

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Howard Register of Wills in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Howard Register of Wills on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Byron E. Macfarlane. Candidate information follows official Howard County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Howard Register of Wills election in Maryland?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Maryland are on the Maryland election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Howard County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Howard County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Maryland election office, or see the full Howard County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Howard County ballot

19 tracked races in Howard County, Maryland. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Howard Board of EducationJudge of the Circuit Court, Judicial Circuit 5Maryland Senate District 9See all 19 Howard County races
Candidate profiles
Byron E. Macfarlane, full profileOfficial Maryland election office