ANNAPOLIS | It’s more important than ever for Maryland residents to cast ballots in the precinct where they live this Election Day, because a 2006 court ruling means their votes probably can’t be counted if they are entered elsewhere, state elections officials say.
In the past, if a voter went to the wrong polling place, elections officials counted as much of the ballot as possible.
For example, if someone voted in the wrong precinct in 2006 but was still in the correct congressional district, officials counted the voter’s choice for governor, U.S. senator and Congress. Choices below those offices were not counted.
That has changed.
The reason is a 2006 Court of Appeals decision declaring early voting in Maryland illegal. The state’s highest court also decided it was illegal to allow voters to cast ballots outside their home precincts, as was the plan under the early-voting law.
“This year, because of the … decision and the attorney general’s interpretation of it, if a voter is not in the correct election district, none of the ballot will be counted,” said Maryland elections chief Linda Lamone.
Ms. Lamone also said the state could see “a large increase in the number of provisional ballots” if voters don’t make sure they are at the right precinct. Provisional ballots are cast when voters’ eligibility isn’t fully verified, or when their names do not appear on registration rolls.
To make sure votes are counted, state elections officials are strongly urging residents to make sure that they know exactly where they’re supposed to go on Election Day - and not decide at the last minute to vote somewhere else if they’re in a hurry or it’s more convenient.
Voters can check for their correct precinct by checking the Maryland State Board of Elections Web site (www.elections.state.md.us) or by calling 800/222-VOTE.
Elections judges also will be able to tell voters where their correct precincts are, if they happen to show up at the wrong place.
Ms. Lamone is projecting a high turnout this election, with about 85 percent of those registered casting ballots. Besides double-checking for correct precincts, elections officials are urging people to vote between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when lines aren’t as long. The best time is usually between noon and 3 p.m.
Also, voters are being encouraged to familiarize themselves with sample ballots sent in the mail, so they won’t have to spend a lot of extra time thinking about their decisions while they are at the polls.
One of the items voters will see on the ballot is an early-voting constitutional amendment that would enable the General Assembly to pass an early-voting law and allow people to vote outside their precincts.
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