Be An Upstander: Absentee Voting in Maryland
Being an informed participant is one of the most important #Civic duties we can fulfil and JMM encourages everyone who is eligible to learn and vote. In this series we will be exploring four different themes around voting; general (American) voter education, the history of voting in America, contemporary issues with voting around the world, and today’s theme: Maryland and Baltimore specific voting issues and procedures.
In that light, let’s talk a little about absentee voting in Maryland. There are two very important dates that all Marylanders need to be aware of for the upcoming election cycle.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 – this is the date by which you need to have requested your absentee ballot for the 2020 Primary Election.
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – this is the date by which you need to have requested your absentee ballot for the 2020 General Election.
What’s absentee voting? Any voting that is not done in person on election day is a type of absentee voting. In the current climate, we should all be prepared to use this option for the 2020 election cycle.
Who can vote by absentee ballot? Any registered voter. (Step one: make sure you are registered to vote!) You do not need a reason to vote absentee (though social distancing and self-isolation due to COVID-19 is a pretty good reason).
How do you get a ballot? We recommend these two options:
1. Register online – you will need a Maryland driver’s license or ID card issued by the MVA to use this option.
2. Mail in this form – you will need access to a printer and make sure to send it to the correct board of elections (you can look yours up here). This form is also available in Spanish!
Once you have received your ballot, you’ll need to mail it back to your local board of elections. You CANNOT send your ballot in by email or fax at this time.
We highly recommend checking out Maryland’s State Board of Elections page on Absentee Voting. This page will be updated with any announcements, changes, and updated instructions as we move closer to various elections.
#BeAnUpstander and register for your absentee ballots today!
Image: “Vote” poster created by the A. Philip Randolph Educational Fund, c. 1960-1980. Yanker poster collection, courtesy of the Library of Congress.