Governor’s Executive Order Regarding Absentee Ballots

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today (Nov. 1)  issued an Executive Order regarding Hurricane Sandy and Absentee Ballots. The Executive Order makes accommodations for Marylanders who, due to Hurricane Sandy, are unable to apply for an absentee ballot in person at their local board of elections.

“From National Guard members assisting residents in Garrett County to residents displaced from their homes on the Eastern Shore, everyone should have the opportunity to cast their vote,” said O’Malley.

The Executive Order allows election officials to accept absentee ballot applications that are received by mail today (November 1) and permits voters who are out of their county of residence due to Hurricane Sandy (e.g., National Guard members, utility workers, first responders, voters who sought temporary shelter, etc.) to make a late application for an absentee ballot.

The order states:
1.0 All registered voters whose application for an absentee ballot is received by mail by a local board by 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 1, 2012 shall be considered timely.

2.0 Registered voters who are out of the county of residence due to Hurricane Sandy are authorized to apply for an absentee ballot up to 5 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012. The State Board of Elections is authorized to electronically deliver absentee ballots to such voters. Complete ballots must be mailed on or before Election day and received by the local board of elections no later than November 16, 2012.

A copy of the executive order can be found here.

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