Only 3 Weeks Until Voter Registration Deadline for Primary

Citizens wishing to vote in the upcoming Gubernatorial Primary Election must register to vote by 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

Voter registration applications must be received in the election office by 9 p.m. on Aug. 22 or contain an Aug. 22 postmark from the U.S. Postal Service in order to qualify for the upcoming election.

The Primary election will be held on Sept. 12. Voter registration applications are available at the following locations:

Motor Vehicle Administration offices – Marriage license bureaus – State Department of Health offices – Post Offices – Local Department of Social Services offices – Public libraries – Offices on Aging – County Boards of Elections – Division of Rehabilitation Services – State Board of Elections – Public institutions of higher education

Citizens may download a voter registration application from the website of the State Board of Elections at www.elections.state.md.us or may have a voter registration application mailed by calling the State’s 24-hour toll free telephone number at 1-800-222-VOTE (8683).

If a voter registered by mail after Jan. 1, 2003, federal law requires that the voter provide identification information before casting his or her vote in the upcoming election. To avoid presenting identification information at the time of voting, the voter should send the board of elections either:

1. A copy of a current or valid photo identification;

2. A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows the voter’s name and address.

If the voter is required to provide identification information but fails to do so before voting, the voter will be issued a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will only be counted if the voter is duly registered and provides the identification information before canvassing of the provisional ballots occurs.

In St. Mary’s County, citizens can visit the Board of Elections office at 41650 Tudor Hall Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Citizen inquiries may be directed to the St. Mary’s County Board of Elections by calling (301) 475-7844 ex 1610 or 1611.