Absentee Ballot Deadline Nears for April 3 Primary Election

The deadline for receipt of an absentee ballot application for the April 3 Presidential Primary Election is Tuesday, March 27. Written requests must reach the elections office by 8:00 p.m. or, if already registered, may be faxed to 240-777-8560 or e-mailed to absentee@montgomerycountymd.gov no later than 11:59 p.m.

The absentee ballot application may be found online at the Board of Elections website at www.777vote.org or www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections. Follow all instructions, and return the completed, signed application by mail, fax, or e-mail. Ballots will be mailed within three business days.

Requests must include the following information: name, date of birth, Montgomery County address, the address to which you want your ballot sent (if other than your Montgomery County address), daytime telephone number, and signature. The absence of any of this information could result in a delay in processing the application.

For anyone wishing to pick up a ballot in person, the elections office will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, March 10, from 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, March 25, from 12 to 6 p.m.; March 26 – 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Applicants who wish to pick up their ballot must appear in person, and they must pick up their own ballot unless they have an agent. Call 240-777-8550 for details about serving as an agent. The elections office is located at 18753 N. Frederick Avenue, Suite 210, Gaithersburg.

Once you receive your absentee ballot, consider the following:

• Do not allow anyone to assist you in voting unless it is a family member, trusted family friend, or Board of Elections’ representative;
• Do not allow anyone else to fill out your ballot;
• Do not give your ballot to a stranger – mail it yourself; and finally
• Report any suspicious calls or circumstances to the State Attorney’s Office (410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023 toll free in Maryland and via TDD at 410-576-6372).

For more information, call 240-777-8550, or e-mail absentee@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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