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Here's what you need to know if you're planning to vote in Maryland in 2012:
VOTER REGISTRATION
Where can I register to vote?
You can register to vote in person at:
- Your local board of elections;
- The State Board of Elections;
- The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;
- The Department of Social Services;
- The Motor Vehicle Administration;
- Offices on Aging;
- The MTA Paratransit Certification Office;
- All public institutions of higher education;
- Recruitment offices of the U.S. Armed Forces;
- Marriage license offices; and
- Offices for students with disabilities at all Maryland colleges and universities.
You also can register by mailing your completed voter registration form to the State Board of Elections or your local board of elections. You may print a voter registration application from the Maryland State Board of Elections' website at http://www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/application.html. You may also contact your local board of elections or the State Board of Elections to request an application.
What identifying information do I need to provide on the application?
In addition to basic identifying information, federal law requires that you provide a Maryland driver's license or MVA ID card number or, if you do not have a driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you do not have any of these, you must affirm on the registration form, under penalty of perjury, that you do not have a driver's license or Social Security number. You also will be asked to provide proof of your identity when you vote (please see the section on voter identification for a list of acceptable forms of identification).
What is the voter registration deadline?
A voter registration application may be submitted to your local board of elections or the State Board of Elections at any time. However, your application must be postmarked by Oct. 16, 2012, to vote in the Nov. 6 general election.
VOTER IDENTIFICATION
Do I need to show ID in order to vote?
In most cases, no, you will not have to show an ID to vote in Maryland. However, if you did not provide a driver's license, state ID or Social Security number on your voter registration form, you will need to provide proof of your identity when you vote for the first time. If you vote in person, please bring one of the following with you to the polls. If you are voting by absentee ballot, please include a copy of one of the following with your absentee ballot.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- A current and valid photo identification (a Maryland driver's license or MVA-issued ID card; student, employee or military ID card; U.S. passport; or any other state or federal government-issued ID card); or
- A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.
EARLY VOTING
What is early voting and who is eligible to vote early?
Any registered voter may choose to vote in person before Election Day at your county's early voting center. You don't have to fill out an application to vote early; simply go to your county's early voting center during the specified times to cast your ballot. You'll check in and vote just like on Election Day.
Where is my county's early voting center?
Contact your local board of elections or visit http://www.mdearlyvote.com/ to find the early voting center near you.
When is early voting taking place?
For the Nov. 6, 2012, general election, early voting will take place Saturday, Oct. 27, through Thursday, Nov. 1. Early voting centers will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. each day of early voting except on Sundays, when early voting centers will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
ABSENTEE VOTING
What is absentee voting and who is eligible to vote absentee?
Any registered voter may choose to have an absentee issued to him or her for an election. Absentee ballots can be returned in person or by mail to your local board of elections office. However, unlike early voting, you will need to apply early to have an absentee ballot issued to you. Please note, Maryland does not have a permanent absentee list, so if you wish to vote by absentee ballot, you must apply for an absentee ballot for each election.
Where can I apply to vote absentee?
You can apply at your local board of elections or by downloading the application form online at www.elections.state.md.us/voting/absentee.html and returning it to your local board of elections office.
What is the deadline to apply to vote absentee?
For the general election, the deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 30, 2012. Your request must be received by 8 p.m. if you mail or deliver the application, or by 11:59 p.m. if you fax or e-mail it. You can find fax numbers and e-mail addresses for your local board at www.elections.state.md.us/about/county_boards.html.
After the deadline, a Late Application for Absentee Ballot must be completed in person at the board of elections.
If you hand deliver your request, you can pick up your absentee ballot. You either may take your absentee ballot with you and return it by mail or vote it at the local election board office and give it to an election official.
How will I receive my ballot?
If your county board of elections receives your completed application by the deadline, the board will issue you an absentee ballot. Ballots are typically available three weeks before an election.
- If you want your ballot mailed to you, it will be mailed to the address you specified on tour absentee ballot application.
- If you want to print your ballot from the State Board of Elections' website, you must provide your e-mail address on your absentee ballot application (part 1 of the application). When your absentee ballot is ready, you'll receive an e-mail from absentee@elections.state.md.us telling you how to access your ballot. You may wish to add this e-mail address to your address book to ensure the e-mail is not blocked by spam filters or marked as junk mail.
When do I have to return my completed ballot?
If you hand-deliver your ballot, you must deliver it to your local board of elections by 8 p.m .on Election Day. You can find a list of local board of elections offices online at: www.elections.state.md.us/about/county_boards.html or you can call the Maryland State Board of Elections at 1-800-222-8683.
If you mail your ballot, you must mail it on or before Election Day and, for the November 6 general election, it must be received by your local board of elections by 10 a.m. on November 16, 2012.