Voters who want to remain as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic will be able vote by mail-in ballot. However, Governor Hogan instructed the State Board of Elections not to mail ballots automatically, as was done in the June 2 primary, but instead to mail applications for mail-in ballots. (note: mail-in ballots are exactly the same as absentee ballots, only the name has been changed)
Applications for mail-in ballots are being mailed in late August to all registered voters who had not already applied for a mail-in ballot by the time the State Board of Elections generated the address list. If you don’t want to wait for the mailing to arrive, you can get the application online in English or in Spanish.
You are encouraged to apply online for your mail-in ballot instead of sending the paper application in the mail. If you apply online your application will be processed more quickly, and there will be less chance of errors from election workers reading your handwriting and typing your address into the system. Applying now online will avoid the risk of receiving your ballot late.
If you need to register to vote or update your voter registration click here.
If your voter registration is up to date apply online now to receive your mail-in ballot.
When you apply for a mail-in ballot you will have a choice of whether to receive an official ballot by mail, or to receive an emailed document that you can print out yourself. Receiving an official ballot by mail is highly recommended. If you print an emailed document yourself, your votes will have to be copied by hand at the board of elections to an official ballot (only official ballots can be scanned by the election tabulating equipment).
You can mail your voted ballot to your local board of elections, or deliver it to one of the drop boxes put out for that purpose.
If you do not vote using a mail-in ballot, you will have the option of voting in person during early voting (October 26 through November 2) or at a limited number of locations on election day itself, November 3.
Anticipated schedule of events:
Aug. 24-28: Mailing house puts mail-in ballot applications in the mail to registered voters.
Sept. 3: The first day ballots can be printed. Ballots should be in the mail by the end of September to voters who requested them early.
Oct. 1: Drop boxes will begin to be set out to receive ballots from voters who wish to deliver their voted ballot instead of sending it by mail.
Oct. 13: Voter registration deadline.
Oct. 20: Last day you can request a mail-in ballot.
Oct. 26-Nov. 2: Early voting every day 7:00am to 8:00pm. Early voting centers may be at different locations than in the past because of COVID-19.
Nov. 3: Voting 7:00am to 8:00pm at all early voting centers plus additional voting centers set up just for election day.
The Maryland Sierra Club is working closely with other organizations that advocate for everyone to have an equal and fair opportunity to vote safely. We will continue to provide updates as the process unfolds.
Rich Norling, Maryland Chapter Political Chair
https://www.sierraclub.org/maryland/maryland-sierra-club-political-program