March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 51 F

Early Voting Opens In Anne Arundel County

The polls are open and you can now vote in the 2012 General Election. We are encouraging residents of Anne Arundel County to vote early as the lines are expected to be unbearable on November 6th.

For those who do not know, there are 22 separate questions on the Anne Arundel County ballot in addition to the political races.  If you are unable to vote early, please become familiar with the ballot and have a good idea about how you will vote when you enter the polls on November 6th.  The language on the ballot can be unclear. For instance, the “casino” question does not use the words “casino” or “gambling”, so please be aware of the meaning behind all of the questions.

The early voting centers opened this morning and will be open from 10 am until 8 pm each day of early voting except on Sundays, early voting centers will be open 12pm to 6pm on Sundays. Early voting days are scheduled to be October 27, 2012 through November 1, 2012; however, due to the impending storm, they hours may be modified–please see statement from Governor O’Malley below.

Following are a few useful links to help you on your way.

UPDATE ON HURRICANE SANDY:

Governor Martin O’Malley today issued an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency with respect to Hurricane Sandy.  Depending on how the storm develops, Hurricane Sandy may have an impact on early voting, which is scheduled to take place between Saturday, October 27 and Thursday, November 1.

The Election Law provides that “[i]n the event of a state of emergency, declared by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of law, that interferes with the electoral process, the emergency proclamation may:  (1) provide for the postponement, until a specific date, of the election in part or all of the State; (2) specify alternate voting locations; or (3) specify alternate voting systems.”  Md. Code Ann., Election Law Article, Sec. 8-103(a).

The Governor’s Office and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency are actively monitoring weather developments in order to determine whether changes to the early voting schedule may be necessary to protect public safety.  In the meantime, the State Board of Elections, the local boards, and all early voting locations should continue their preparations for early voting and ensure that all voting sites remain open and that all election staff report for duty.

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