Maryland citizens wishing to vote in the upcoming Gubernatorial General Election on November 7 must register to vote no later than Tuesday, October 17, 2006. In order to qualify, the voter registration application must be received in the election office by 9:00 p.m. on October 17, 2006, or contain an October 17th postmark from the United States Postal Service.
While this year is not a Presidential election, it is an exciting year for both the nation and the state politically speaking. In the nation, the Democratic Party strives to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate or both. One of Maryland's two U.S. Senators, Paul Sarbanes (D), is retiring this year leaving his seat up for grabs. Martin O'Malley (D) is battling incumbent Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (R) for the Governor's seat. In southern Maryland, state Senator Roy Dyson (D-29) faces his toughest election in years against Thomas McKay (R). Each county also has contests for County Commissioner, Sheriff, and a host of other local offices. A complete list of offices on the election block and the respective candidates can be found in our 2006 Election Guide at http://somd.com/elections/.
Voter registration applications are available at the following locations:
* Motor Vehicle Administration offices
* State Department of Health offices
* Local Department of Social Services offices
* Offices on Aging
* Division of Rehabilitation Services
* Public institutions of higher education
* Marriage license bureaus
* Post Offices
* Public libraries
* County Boards of Elections
* State Board of Elections
Citizen may also download a voter registration application from the website of the State Board of Elections at http://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 January 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.
Contact information for each County's Election Board can be found below:
Calvert County Board of Elections
http://www.co.cal.md.us/government/elections/
410-535-2214 or 301-855-1376
410-535-1600, x2215
301-855-1243, x2215
FAX: 410-535-5009
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Charles County Board Of Elections
http://www.govt.co.charles.md.us/boe/
301-934-8972 or 301-870-3167
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
St. Mary's County Board of Elections
http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/supervisorofelections/
301-475-7844 x1610 or x1611
FAX: 301-475-4077
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.