Maryland's 3rd Congressional District

Maryland's 3rd Congressional District is represented by Sarah Elfreth (Democrat), who has held the seat since 2025. Elfreth has an overall VoteSee report card grade of D, voted in 100% of roll-call votes on bills this Congress, and votes with the Democratic majority 98% of the time. The district includes Columbia, Ellicott City, and Glen Burnie. It takes in all or part of 3 counties, and 54% of residents live in Anne Arundel County. About 781,000 people live in the district, and the median household income is $133,046.

Current Representative

Sarah Elfreth (Democrat) has represented Maryland's 3rd Congressional District since 2025.

• VoteSee report card grade: D
• Attendance in the 119th Congress: 100% of roll-call votes on bills
• Votes with the Democrat majority: 98%

See Sarah Elfreth's full voting record and issue positions →

2026 Election

U.S. House: Maryland 3rd District

Winner: Sarah Elfreth.

Incumbent Sarah Elfreth is running for re-election. 2 candidates were on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot.

• Sarah Elfreth (Democratic), incumbent: raised $1.4M, $241K cash on hand; VoteSee report card D; 100% attendance; votes with the Democratic majority 98% of the time
• Berney Flowers (Republican): raised $35K, $9K cash on hand

Polls: No public polls

See the full 2026 race →

District Demographics

• Population: 781,479
• Median household income: $133,046
• Median age: 40
• Median home value: $505,000
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 52.8%

Source: American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, 119th Congress boundaries.

How Elfreth Voted Recently

• Yea on American Enrichment Deployment Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
• Yea on Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
• Yea on Retire through Ownership Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
• Yea on Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
• Yea on Ratepayer Protection Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed

Breaks with the Democrat majority

• Yea on Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
• Yea on Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from Lebanon. (Jun 4, 2026) — Failed
• Yea on Cashless Bail Reporting Act (May 14, 2026) — Passed

Who Held This Seat Before

Members of Congress who previously represented Maryland's 3rd Congressional District. District lines are redrawn after each census, so earlier members may have represented a different area under this number.

• John Sarbanes — Democrat (2007–2025)
• Benjamin Cardin — Democrat (1987–2007)
• Barbara Mikulski — Democrat (1977–1987)
• Paul Sarbanes — Democrat (1973–1977)
• Edward Garmatz — Democrat (1947–1973)
• Thomas D’Alesandro — Democrat (1939–1949)
• Vincent Palmisano — Democrat (1927–1939)
• John Hill — Republican (1921–1927)
• Charles Coady — Democrat (1913–1921)
• George Konig — Democrat (1911–1915)
• John Kronmiller — Republican (1909–1911)
• Harry Wolf — Democrat (1907–1909)

Where the District Is

Maryland's 3rd Congressional District covers 501 square miles of land. Boundaries are for the current (119th) Congress.

Counties

• Anne Arundel County (part): 54% of residents
• Howard County: 43% of residents
• Carroll County (part): 3% of residents

Largest communities

• Columbia
• Ellicott City
• Glen Burnie
• Severn
• Annapolis
• Severna Park
• Pasadena
• Ilchester

Neighboring Districts

• Maryland's 2nd Congressional District — Johnny Olszewski (Democrat)
• Maryland's 4th Congressional District — Glenn Ivey (Democrat)
• Maryland's 5th Congressional District — Steny Hoyer (Democrat)
• Maryland's 6th Congressional District — April McClain Delaney (Democrat)
• Maryland's 7th Congressional District — Kweisi Mfume (Democrat)
• Maryland's 8th Congressional District — Jamie Raskin (Democrat)

Maryland's U.S. Senators

• Chris Van Hollen — Democrat, senior senator
• Angela Alsobrooks — Democrat, junior senator

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