LA PLATA, Md. — Maryland Governor Larry Hogan[R] has moved to adopt the plan put forth by the state Board of Elections, whereby 282 public high schools would be turned into voting centers for the upcoming election. The move goes against a previous statement he made, saying that he would like for over 1,800 traditional locations to be open on election day.

However, many localities are grateful for the move, which will remove some stress caused by the worker shortage which has been plaguing a number of election boards across the state.

Before Hogan’s decision, the Charles County Board of Elections(BOE) reported that there were 957 total judge positions in the county which would be staffing 43 precincts on Nov. 3, but 79.31% or 759 of those positions were still vacant. Under the new plan, the numbers are significantly lower, but judges are still needed.

The director of the Charles County Board of Elections, Tracy Dickerson, said in an interview that in order to staff the anticipated nine voting centers on election day, they will need 359 election judges, and they currently have 224 signed up.

“It helps out immensely,” Dickerson said. “We still don’t have enough to cover but we are a lot closer.”

Dickerson had previously said that the county may be forced to consolidate polls if they were unable to fill an overwhelming number of vacant election judge positions, but she is much more optimistic after the governor’s decision.

“For every county, it’s hard to find election judges every election,” Dickerson said. “We usually hit the concrete running, and we contact the central committees and so forth. But this election— with the pandemic going on— has made it harder.”

In Charles County, early voting will also have some new roll, as there will be two voting centers opened from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. These two centers will tentatively be joined by seven high school locations across the county on election day, pending a survey that Dickerson said needs to be completed of Lackey High School’s facilities.

With discussions of consolidating polls previously on the table for Charles County, much like many areas across the state, Dickerson maintained that keeping some polls open is better than the alternative which would likely disenfranchise even more potential voters.

“Either I can consolidate for my lack of judges or polling places won’t be open,” Dickerson said prior to Hogan’s decision. “Which do you think is better for voters?”

Hogan has found himself going back and forth with the state Board of Elections recently. With his new order, although still distraught with his own decision to use voting centers, the plan will still allow the option to easily vote-by-mail by sending ballot applications to every Marylander.

“I remain concerned that the Board’s decision to close nearly 80% of the polls will have the potential of creating long lines and unsafe conditions, with crowds of people being forced into too few polling places,” Hogan said in his letter to the state election board.

Looking to the upcoming election, masks will be required by voters, and additional sanitary and social distancing measures will be in place across Maryland. While it might not feel like a traditional election, the Charles County BOE is remaining ready for everything that might happen between now and November.

“I think we’re pretty good now, I’ve got a great team in here and everybody works together,” Dickerson said. “Charles County has never failed at an election, and I don’t plan on doing it this time.”

To find out more about becoming an election judge in Charles County, CLICK HERE or call 301-870-3167.

Contact Zach at zach.hill@thebaynet.com