Voting Information from Delegate Jessica Feldmark (District 12-Howard County)
How to Submit a Mail-in Ballot
There are TWO ways to submit a mail-in ballot:
You can return your mail-in ballot through the mail. If you do, your ballot must be postmarked byNovember 3, 2020.
You may drop off your mail-in ballot at any ballot drop box in your county of residence 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020. For a list of ballot drop box locations in Howard County, visit this site.
Whether you return your ballot in a drop box or by mail, please be sure to sign the oath on the outside of the envelope (or if you printed an electronically delivered ballot, the oath is on a separate sheet of paper). A mail-in ballot will not be counted without a signed voter’s oath.
Voting in Person
During Early Voting
Early Voting is October 26, 2020-November 2, 2020. Early Voting Centers will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. every day. Citizens can vote at any Early Voting Center in their county of residence. For a list of Early Voting Centers in Howard County, visit this site.
On Election Day
Election Day is November 3, 2020. Election Day Voting Centers will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Citizens can vote at any Voting Center in their county of residence. For a list of Election Day Voting Centers in Howard County, visit this site.
Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities
It is absolutely critical that voting is fully accessible to people with disabilities. For a description of the accessibility options for voters with disabilities, visit this site.
For your information, see below for Step-by-Step Guide to Voting in Maryland. This guide, produced by Independence Now: A Center for Independent Living, provides information on in-person and mail-in voting, and voter registration, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every year, the REV UP Campaign coordinates National Disability Voter Registration Week (NDVRW) to increase the political power of people with disabilities by sharing resources and getting people registered to vote. With an estimated 35 million people with disabilities eligible to vote in 2020, state and local organizations are invited to participate in NDVRW in order to raise the disability voice and civic participation across the country. For more information, visit the American Association of People with Disabilities website.
PLEASE NOTE: Elected for Inclusion: A Presidential Forum on Disability Issues has been postponed due to a variety of factors. The American Association of People with Disabilities has announced that they will reschedule the forum. Stay tuned for information on a new date and time for the Presidential Forum in Disability Issues.
Did you know that there is A Presidential Forum on Disability Issues? Join Arc Maryland, Disability Rights Maryland, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, People Power of Howard County, and People on the Go Maryland at a Watch Party on:
Monday, January 13, 2020
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Meeting House
5885 Robert Oliver Place, Room 102
Columbia, MD 21045
Networking and refreshments begin at 10:30 a.m. Starting at 11 a.m., the forum will be live streamed. Also, there will be a live Bingo game with prizes as the candidates discuss their disability platforms.
From The Arc Oregon:
When you vote, you choose who represents the disability community. You have the power to choose who represents you in your local, state, and national government. We want to make sure that all people with disabilities can exercise their right to vote this election. The first step to voting is learning about the issues and candidates. Presidential debates and forums can help you learn from candidates where they stand on issues that matter to you.
PLEASE NOTE: Elected for Inclusion: A Presidential Forum on Disability Issues has been postponed due to a variety of factors. The American Association of People with Disabilities has announced that they will reschedule the forum. Stay tuned for information on a new date and time for the Presidential Forum in Disability Issues. 