How To Vote In 2020
Marylanders Encouraged To Act On Election Process Early Amid Expected Delays
By Raoul Dennis
How to vote in 2020: start early, stay with it, brace for a tough road ahead.
Maryland Governor Larry J. Hogan, Jr. has accepted the plan of the Maryland Board of Elections. The plan accounts for the shortcoming of polling venues due to the reduction in volunteers to cover the Nov. 3 polling process. But the governor’s detractors are still saying it’s far from enough.
Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks is among a chorus of leaders across the state calling for ballots to be sent directly to voters, bypassing the request-for-ballot step. She argues that the pandemic reality demands that health considerations be the driving factor in utilizing mail-in ballots in 2020.
But most Maryland leaders agree on one thing: in 2020, voters must engage the process early and monitor it closely.
Getting Started.
Residents should be sure that they are registered and that their information with the voting system is current. Voters can start this at the voter look-up by clicking here. The deadline to register to vote for the General Election: 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13. So, if the information isn’t current or accurate, voters and new voters should focus on getting it done by or before October.
Early Voting.
Early voting for the General Election is currently set for Thursday, October 22 through Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. The benefit to early voting may be in slightly shorter lines over the seven day period. It’s important to remember that the county may have as few as 11 early voting centers in Prince George’s according to the existing plan. Learn more about early voting and locations here.
Mail-In Voting.
Currently (information may change before October as developments unfold), Maryland voters who are not planning to vote in person are required to request a ballot by mail. Voters are encouraged to make their requests early (immediately) as it’s a two-step process to vote by mail – and the mail is expected to be slower than usual. Get early voting by clicking here.
Most Important.
Above all, voters will have to be more meticulous than in previous election seasons. Be sure name and address information is accurate, follow all instructions to the letter and question anything that seems inconsistent or awkward to getting a clear vote ballot in. First-time mail-in voters will have to be especially cautious and detail-oriented because any inaccuracy or error in instruction can lead to the ballot being discounted. Experienced mail-in voters will need to be careful as well: watch out for new wrinkles in the forms that may appear and be sure to review your ballots carefully before submitting it.
You only get one shot at this, make sure it counts.
