By: Rich Norling, Political Chair
Maryland’s election is officially on November 3. But you can choose when you will vote. You can vote by mail any time from now to November 3, in person at an early voting center from October 22 through October 29, or at your assigned neighborhood polling place on November 3.
Why Commit Now to Vote This Year
This election year is our opportunity to elect state and county officials who will shape Maryland’s direction for at least the next decade. We can elect officials who will take real action on climate change and environmental justice, move from dirty fossil fuels to clean renewable energy, protect forests and natural places, and promote zero waste.
| Sierra Club members and supporters are joining together now and committing to vote in the November 3 general election. |
Voting By Mail
You can decide now whether you want to vote in person or by mail. If you may be busy or away from home on November 3, voting by mail is a great way to be sure you won’t lose your chance to vote.
Maryland Boards of Elections have already mailed ballots to voters who requested them. Any registered voter can still go online here to make a Mail-in Ballot Request, even as late as October 27. You can choose to sign up to receive a mail-in ballot for the November 3 general election, or to receive a mail-in ballot for November 3 and all future federal and state elections.
Completed mail-in ballots can be mailed back to the Board of Elections or placed in a secure drop box in your county. Delivering your ballot to a drop box will eliminate any delays or uncertainties about the U.S. Postal Service. A list of drop box locations is here.
Early Voting October 22 through October 29
You can vote at an early voting center in the county where you live. Early voting centers in each county will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm every day from October 22 through October 29. During early voting (and on election day November 3) eligible individuals can register for the first time or update their address and immediately vote. A list of early voting centers is here, aqui.
Voting on November 3
Local precinct polling places will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3. Locate your assigned polling place here.
Potential Concerns
Recently there has been public discussion about potential attempts to interfere with the election process and perhaps confuse, intimidate, or challenge voter. Maryland has a robust and secure election process, and our election officials are dedicated to ensuring that every legal voter has a right to vote and have their voted counted accurately.
We do not know for certain whether any of the publicized threats will actually result in actions. If you are concerned about possible intimidation or challenges at early voting centers or local precincts during in-person voting, you still have until as late as October 27 to request a mail-in ballot.
Any instances of intimidation or interference with voting should be reported to one of these national nonpartisan hotlines:
- English 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
- Spanish/English 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
- Asian languages/English 866-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
- Arabic/English 844-Yalla-US (844-925-5287)
If any questions do arise during in-person voting, election officials will offer the voter a provisional ballot so they can vote.
Other Resources
A complete description of all voting options is on the State Board of Elections website here. The State Board of Elections also provides online capability to verify voter registration and Mail-in Ballot status. Persons who need to register to vote or change their address can do that in person during early voting, at the polls on November 3, or online here.
Let’s all commit now that we will vote in this year’s election. Together we can move Maryland forward by electing officials who will be real champions.
What is your plan? When and how will you vote?