Last fall voters passed the referendum allowing early voting in Maryland. Maryland has also made a decision to scrap the electronic voting machines and go to paper ballots to preserve a record of each vote cast. Today’s briefing in Ways and Means dealt with the issues of where to have the actual polling places and the hours they would be open during the two week period of voting, We also heard a presentation from Wisconsin officials on how they handled same day registration for voters.
The previous week the Charles County Delegation had met with the Charles County Board of Elections officials and heard their concerns about the changes that would be needed to put the early voting in place. I appreciated this advance notice of possible problems; it gave me a chance to look for how their concerns could be resolved.
What about you? What was your election experience like? What would you change? What will help us encourage more people to vote?
My experience with the voting machines was fine and I resent the powers that be deciding after spending all that (my) money that NOW there is a problem. But that is old news. Over and done with. I’m sure after we all experience the new simulus package and the jobs don’t materialize as advertised, you will get a lot more people voting next time. I’m very interested in seeing what documents will be needed to vote early and the type of oversite being installed.
I am glad that you had a good experience with the voting machines; many residents liked the technology. However, many residents after hearing of problems in other states with the undercounting of votes, were uncomfortable with not having paper records of voting. The Ways and Means Committee is looking at ways to improve the system and also let people be confident that their vote counts.
I am in favor of early voting, and hope it can be used to promote full access to the election process by all citizens.
I hope that some factions will not oppose it because they perceive a political disadvantage one way or the other.
It has been tremendously popular and well received in other sates around the country. I believe that anything that increases legal voter involvement and turnout should be encouraged by all citizens, no matter what their political affiliation.
Thank you for your interest in early voting. HB1179 passed the House with a vote of 100-36 and I support this effort to increase access to the election process.
Many states have Early and an extended time for voting so that more citizens can exercise their right to choose their representatives.