Will you vote a mail ballot, or vote in person?
Voting by Mail-in Ballot
Over a million Maryland voters have already requested a mail-in ballot. The state’s contractor has begun mailing ballots to voters who have requested them. If you vote with a mail-in ballot be sure to follow the instructions and sign the envelope.
You can return the voted ballot by mail or in drop boxes that will be available soon. Drop boxes will be available to accept ballots when the boxes are received from the manufacturers. The list of drop box locations includes the expected date when each drop box is expected to be available. Your ballot can be deposited into any drop box located in the county (or Baltimore city) where you are registered to vote.
If you have already requested a mail-in ballot, you can check the status of your mail-in ballot request. After you enter your information, click the “Status of My Mailed-in or Provisional Ballots” tab at the bottom of the page. If your status says “Application Processed” the ballot will be sent to you. Your status may not have been updated yet if you made your request recently; check again after allowing time for your request to be processed.
If you still need to apply for a mail-in ballot, making the request online will get your application 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 also avoid the risk of receiving your ballot late. If your voter registration is up to date, apply now to receive your mail-in ballot! You can also go online by October 13 to update your registration or to register to vote. Applications for mail-in ballots must be received by your local Board of Elections no later than October 20.
Voting in Person
If you do not use a mail-in ballot, you will have an opportunity to vote in person. Regular precinct polling places will not be open, but a limited number of voting centers will be open. Early voting for this election will be every day from October 26 through November 2, including the weekend days. Early voting centers will be open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm each day. You can vote at any of the early voting centers located in the county (or Baltimore city) where you are registered to vote.
If you are voting on election day November 3, do not go to your usual precinct polling place. A larger number of voting centers will be open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on November 3. You can vote at any of the voting centers located in the county (or Baltimore city) where you are registered to vote.
Same-day voter registration will be available at voting centers both during early voting and on November 3.
When voting in person, be sure to wear a mask and maintain physical distancing. Campaign items (signs, shirts, hats, buttons, etc.) for or against any candidate or ballot measure are not allowed inside voting centers.
The State Board of Elections provides more details here.
Dealing with Problems
The Sierra Club is participating in Everyone Votes Maryland, a coalition of national, state, and grassroots organizations dedicated to ensuring that all eligible Marylanders can have their voices heard on election day. The coalition is closely watching election procedures and advocating to make this election secure and as convenient as possible during the pandemic.
An Election Protection Hotline at 443-399-3229 provides comprehensive information and assistance at all stages of voting – from registration, to mail-in and early voting, to casting a vote at the polls, to overcoming obstacles to participation.
Sierra Club Endorsements
Sierra Club endorsements are approved by elected volunteer leaders in two levels of the organization. The Sierra Club has endorsed some candidates and ballot questions for the November 3 election. Information about the endorsements is available from the Political Program page.