State election officials moved replacement ballots out faster than originally expected this week as the State shifts from correcting the mail-in ballot issue to preparing for the processing and canvassing of returned ballots.
The Maryland State Board of Elections announced that affected voters across Maryland should receive replacement ballots earlier than the vendor’s previously announced May 29 mailing timeline.
Earlier this week, election officials mailed replacement ballots to voters in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, and Washington counties.
Election officials then sent replacement ballots to voters in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The accelerated timeline puts the full statewide mailing effort ahead of schedule.
Affected voters will receive instructions within their replacement ballot packets. Election officials continue reminding voters to discard the original ballot and cast only the replacement ballot included in the updated mailing.
Voters may return replacement ballots through the same options available during the normal election process, including ballot drop boxes, early voting centers, Election Day polling places, local boards of elections offices, and mail service, subject to applicable deadlines.
The accelerated mailing schedule shifts attention toward the next phase of the process as local boards of elections prepare for returned ballots and canvassing activities.
While counties do not print or mail ballots, local boards of elections continue handling significant responsibilities throughout the process. Local election officials continue to organize and separate previously returned ballots as replacement ballots begin arriving. Local boards also continue to collect ballots from drop boxes and receive web-delivered and in-person ballots ahead of canvassing.
State law requires local boards to begin canvassing mail-in ballots on June 1 and continue through the first day of early voting.
SBE also highlighted ongoing coordination between State and local election officials, including providing local boards with communication tools and additional resources intended to support voter outreach and maintain transparency throughout ballot processing.
Last week, MACo members joined State Administrator Jared DeMarinis for a discussion on the issue and local impacts. Administrator DeMarinis reiterated during that conversation that Maryland’s election system includes safeguards that prevent duplicate voting and ensure that only one ballot counts for each voter.
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