COME PREPARED TO VOTE
The Montgomery County Board of Elections mails each registered voter a sample ballot before every election. We encourage you to fill out your sample ballot and bring it to the polls with you when you vote. It will save time and allow you to vote your choices with confidence.
VERIFY YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS AND POLLING PLACE
Call 240-777-8500, check your sample ballot address label or go to: mdelections.umbc.edu/index.php.
NOTE! This is especially important if you previously voted at any of the following places:
Seventeen (17)-year-olds who will be 18 on or before November 4, 2008 (the date of the Presidential General Election) and have registered to vote as a Democrat or Republican are eligible to vote in the Presidential Primary Election for their political party’s races. They are not eligible to vote in the non-partisan Board of Education races. They will be eligible to vote only on a provisional ballot.
You must apply in writing for an absentee ballot. An application form may be obtained by telephone, written request or in person at your local Board of Elections. One can also be printed from the Board of Elections website at www.777vote.org. The Board of Elections must receive an application for an absentee ballot no later than Tuesday, February 5. However, within seven days of the election, you or your designated agent may apply for an absentee ballot in person.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day. If you return your absentee ballot in person, you must do so before 8:00 pm on February 12. For further questions contact the Board of Elections at 240-777-8550.
DO YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Volunteers from the League of Women Voters will be in our office to answer your election information calls on our Election Hot Line at 301-984-9585. Normal office hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays except Tuesdays, when the office is open 1:30 to 5:30 pm.
FORUMS AND DEBATES 2008
The League of Women Voters wishes to thank Access Montgomery for taping and broadcasting the following candidate forums on Channel 21:
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATES FORUM (Recorded January 3, 2008 at Riderwood. Program length: 1 hour 30 minutes)
IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION
Primary Election - Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Polls open – 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
751 Twinbrook Parkway
Rockville, MD 20850-1428
Mailing address: P.O. Box 4333
Rockville MD 20849-4333
Margaret A. Jurgensen, Election Director
240-777-VOTE (8683) 24-hour information
240-777-8500 240-777-8505 (Fax)
1-800-735-2258 (MD Relay)
www.777vote.org or www.elections.state.md.us
LONG WORK HOURS? KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
On Election Day, polls are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. State Law requires Maryland-based employers to release you with pay for up to two hours only if you do not have two continuous hours off during the time the polls are open.
COME PREPARED TO VOTE
The Montgomery County Board of Elections mails each registered voter a sample ballot before every election, listing your polling place location. Fill out your sample ballot and bring it with you to the polls to make voting easier and faster.
DON’T PANIC IF THERE’S A PROBLEM
Identification: First time voters in Maryland who registered by mail and have not submitted the requested identification forms will be required to show photo identification at the polling place before receiving their ballot. Bring a government issued identification card, passport or driver's license with you on Election Day.
Language Assistance: If you have a question or encounter a problem, check the signs for directions and/or ask the poll workers for assistance. All election signs, instructions and ballots are available in Spanish in Montgomery County, and other language assistance will also be available at many polls.
Provisional Ballots: If you registered to vote but your name is not on the list, don’t panic. You may be directed to another polling place or given the option of a provisional ballot. On a provisional ballot, your registration information is verified following the election, and your votes on races that are appropriate to your registration will be counted in the final tally published a few weeks after the election.
WHERE TO VOTE?
Check your Voter Information Card or
Check under the return address on your sample ballot or
Call 240-777-VOTE (8500) or
Go to Board of Elections web site: www.777vote.org and
The League of Women Voters wishes to thank:
Carolyn S. Meakem, C.F. P.
Watkins Voter Empowerment Fund of the Montgomery Community Foundation
The Beacon newspaper
Violet and Jesse MacKnight Bequest
And Community Donors
for their generous support of the Voters’ Guide.
We also thank our LWVMC members who contributed and volunteered hundreds of hours to prepare this Guide.
CHALLENGE GRANT WILL MATCH YOUR CONTRIBUTION!!!
The League of Women Voters works to keep government power in the hands of the people by helping residents to become educated, active and engaged in public policy. If you believe that this is important and want us to continue to provide forums and debates, prepare Voters’ Guides and other publications and staff an Election Hot Line, please make a tax-deductible contribution to the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County - Citizen Education Fund. We depend on your donations for our work.
Double your donation!
An anonymous donor has agreed to match any donation made as a result of this solicitation
$150 ______ $100 ______ $75 ______ $50 ______ $25 ______ $15 ______ other ______
Make checks payable to
LWVMC Citizens Education Fund and mail to:
League of Women Voters of Montgomery County
12216 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852
If you would like information about joining the League, please provide your name and address or call 301-984-9585. We encourage both men and women to join the League.