Who may vote by absentee ballot?

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot.

How do I request an absentee ballot?

Because of Hurricane Sandy, the Governor issued an Executive Order authorizing certain voters to request an absentee ballot by mail, fax, or email. If you are a voter who had to leave your county of residence in Maryland due to Hurricane Sandy, you can use the late absentee ballot application form for voters impacted by Hurricane Sandy. You will receive your ballot information via email, as there is not enough time to mail you your ballot.

All other voters must apply for an absentee ballot in person at your local board of elections. Starting the Wednesday before the election through 8 pm on election day, absentee ballots cannot be requested by mail, fax, or email. You can either download a late absentee application (formulario y instrucciones disponibles también en español) or ask for one when you go to your local board of elections.

Once you hand deliver your completed application, you will receive your absentee ballot and other absentee voting materials. You may either take your absentee ballot with you and return it by mail or you may vote it at the local board office and give it to an election official.

Can I have someone else pick up my ballot?

Yes. If you cannot go to your local board of elections, you can designate someone to serve as your agent and submit your late absentee ballot application (formulario y instrucciones disponibles también en español), pick up your ballot, and deliver it to you. If you wish, the person can also return your voted ballot to your local board of elections.

The person you designate must be at least 18 years old and cannot be a candidate on your ballot. The person must sign an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, that he or she picked up your ballot and delivered it to you. If you wish this person to also return your voted ballot, he or she must also swear or affirm that he or she returned the voted ballot to your local board of elections and did not alter the ballot.

If you need to designate someone as your agent, you and the person you are designating must complete the Absentee Ballot: Designation of Agent Form (Papeleta de Votante Ausente: Formulario para Designar un Representante). This form can also be obtained from your local board of elections.

How do I vote by absentee ballot?

After you receive your absentee ballot, read the instructions that were provided with your ballot, and find a place where you can vote privately. You will need a No. 2 pencil to vote. Review your ballot before voting as your ballot may be multiple pages.

You will be voting a paper ballot and must completely fill in the oval to the left of your choice. Do not vote for more candidates than the number specified in the contest heading. If you wish, you may vote for fewer candidates than specified. Do not sign your name or make any other mark on your ballot.

Write-in voting is only allowed in general elections. A general election ballot has spaces for write-in votes. To cast a write-in vote, fill in the oval to the left of the space for the write-in vote, and write the last name and first name (or first initial) of the person in the appropriate space.

You must mail or hand deliver your absentee ballot to your local board of elections. You cannot email or fax your voted absentee ballot or take your voted ballot to an early voting center or a polling place.

When do I have to submit my absentee ballot?

If you hand deliver your ballot, you must deliver it to your local board of elections by 8 pm on election day.

If you mail your ballot, you must mail it on or before election day and it must be received by your local board of elections by 10 am on April 13, 2012 (primary election) or on November 16, 2012 (general election).

If you have specific questions, please contact your local board of elections or the State Board of Elections.

Can I have help?

Yes, if you have a disability or are unable to read or write, you may have help requesting an absentee ballot and voting. Any person can help you except:

• A candidate on your ballot;
• Your employer or an agent of your employer; or
• An officer or agent of your union.

If you need help with the late absentee ballot application, someone can help you with Parts 1 and 2 of the application, and he or she must complete Part 3. If you cannot sign the application, the person helping you should print your name in Part 2 and write his or her initials after your name.

If you need help voting your ballot, the person helping you must mark the ballot according to your wishes and cannot make an effort to influence your vote. The person helping you must complete the Certification of Person Assisting Absentee Voter (provided with your absentee ballot). This certification must be returned with your voted ballot.

Contact your local board of elections for more information on this process.