The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) yesterday voted to hold early voting from Monday, October 26 to Monday, November 2 (including Saturday and Sunday) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with early voting centers also open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
As previously reported on Conduit Street, Governor Larry Hogan this week approved an SBE plan to designate each of Maryland’s 282 high schools as vote centers — places where any county resident can vote, regardless of their precinct — for the November 3 election.
On early voting days, approximately 80 vote centers will open statewide. On November 3, approximately 350 vote centers will be open statewide.
Voters may cast their ballot at any vote center in their county of residence. SBE also plans to make at least 127 ballot drop boxes available statewide.
SBE will mail applications for mail-in ballots to all Maryland voters at the end of August, or residents may request a mail-in ballot online by visiting elections.maryland.gov. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 20th.
According to SBE:
“While we encourage Marylanders to cast mail-in ballots, providing nine days of in-person voting gives Marylanders the opportunity to vote in-person if they wish to do so,” said Linda Lamone, Administrator of the Board of Elections.”
The Board also encourages all interested citizens to apply to serve as election judges at elections.maryland.gov. Election judges earn a stipend of up to $300 for their service answering democracy’s call. Governor Hogan is allowing State employees to earn 16 hours’ administrative leave to serve as election workers, and county governments are encouraged to do the same.The Board is implementing a comprehensive public health plan with social distancing guidelines and personal protective equipment to safeguard election workers and voters at in-person voting locations.
The Board will meet again on Wednesday, August 19 at 2 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live at elections.maryland.gov.
Useful Links
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Hogan Approves Plan to Open Vote Centers for Nov 3 Election
Letter from MAEO (July 23, 2020)
Conduit Street Podcast: Wrestling With Reopening
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: State Board Seeks Additional $20M for Nov Election
Letter from State Administrator LindaLamone (July 21, 2020)
County Letter to Governor Hogan (July 14, 2020)
Maryland Congressional Delegation Letter to Governor Hogan (July 9, 2020)
State Board of Elections: Report on June 2 Election & Recommendations for November 3 Election
MAEO Letter to Governor Hogan (July 6, 2020)
Conduit Street Podcast: A View From the Senate
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Senate Leaders Outline Roadmap for November Election
Letter to State Board of Elections from Senate Republican Caucus
