How to Vote (Nothing Special, but here it is.)

Dear Constituent,
Thank you for your letter regarding the upcoming general election.

The November 3, 2020 election will follow existing state law, which provides the best framework for a free, fair and safe election. Maryland voters will have a multitude of options to choose how to cast their ballot safely, whether by mail, during early voting, or on election day. Voters who wish to vote in person can do so during the eight days of early voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 26-November 2, 2020, or on election day (November 3, 2020).

At the request of the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE), the Governor issued a proclamation granting SBE the authority to create voting centers for early voting and election day. If you wish to vote in person, you will receive a specimen ballot with a full list of voting center locations in October. This letter has a comprehensive summary of how you can vote safely and conveniently in the 2020 general election, and I encourage you to review https://elections.maryland.gov/2020 for additional information.
How to request a mail-in ballot:

To vote by mail, you must request a mail-in ballot from SBE or your local board. You can do so by mail, fax or online. To use the online system, visit https://elections.maryland.gov and click the blue "request a ballot" box. Your local board of elections must receive your request by October 20, 2020. If you send your request by mail, please leave five business days for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your application to your local board of elections.

On the governor’s instruction, SBE automatically sent eligible voters an application for a mail-in ballot by first class U.S. Mail along with a postage-paid return envelope to make it easy and free to request your ballot. Your application will arrive in the mail in early September. If you need another application in English or Spanish, please visit https://elections.maryland.gov. Eligible voters whose ballot requests were processed before August 6, 2020 will not be mailed a second application since SBE processed their initial request. There is no need to wait. Complete and return your application at your earliest convenience. If you use the online system, you may request your mail-in ballot before 11:59 p.m. on October 20, 2020.

How to vote by mail:
Those who request ballots by mail will begin to receive them at the end of September. If you choose to receive your ballot by email, you will receive an email with a link that will allow you to print and mail your ballot. If you chose to receive your mail-in ballot by U.S. Mail, follow the instructions with your ballot and return it in the postage-paid return envelope that accompanies your ballot. Your mail-in ballot must be mailed or dropped in a designated drop box location by 8 p.m. on election day, November 3, 2020. It must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2020 to be counted. When completing your ballot, remember to:

• Use Black Ink to Mark your Ballot
• Sign the Return Envelope. Do Not Sign the Ballot
• Seal your Return Envelope
• Send your Ballot using the Postage-Paid Return Envelope

SBE recommends you return your ballot as soon as possible. Your ballot comes with a postage-paid return envelope, so submitting it by mail is free. Your ballot must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2020. Please note: putting your ballot in a mailbox on November 3, 2020 does not mean it is postmarked. [QWLAUREN35 NOTE: IF YOU WAIT UNTIL NOV 3RD, USE A DROP BOX!]

How to use a ballot drop box:
Marylanders can use a ballot drop box to return their mail-in ballot once boxes are made available. At least 200 drop boxes will be open statewide and they will be available until 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020. Some drop boxes are expected to open the week of September 28, 2020, and others will open in mid-October. The list of drop box locations and their availability will be posted at https://elections.maryland.gov when the locations are finalized by SBE.

How to vote during early voting:
If you would like to vote early in person, early voting will take place beginning October 26, 2020. Early voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through November 2, 2020, including Saturday and Sunday. Early voting centers also open on election day, November 3, 2020. Voters can cast their vote at any voting center in their county of residence. Voters will be kept six feet apart and there will be a limit on the number of people inside voting centers at any one time. You will receive a mailing in October that will tell you where the early voting centers in your county are located, and the list of early voting centers will be posted at https://elections.maryland.gov when locations are finalized by SBE.

How to vote in person on election day:
[QWLAUREN35 NOTE: YOUR NORMAL PRECINCT IS ***NOT*** WHERE YOU VOTE THIS YEAR]
Approximately 350 voting centers will be open on election day. You will receive a mailing in October that will tell you where and when you can vote in person. Voters will be kept six feet apart and there will be a limit on the number of people inside voting centers at any one time. Voters can cast their vote at any center in their county of residence, and residents in the City of Baltimore may cast their vote at any vote center in the city. Vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, November 3, 2020.

Local boards of election will begin canvassing, or counting, mail-in ballots on October 1, 2020. Canvassing results will be embargoed until 8 p.m. on election day, November 3, 2020.

I encourage Maryland voters to make sure that they are registered to vote and have provided election officials with updated voter registration information. You can verify your information and learn how to update it at https://elections.maryland.gov. Click on the blue "look up your registration" box. Please continue to visit this website or the website of your local election officials for election alerts, news and updates.

Sincerely,

Linda H. Lamone
State Administrator