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Maryland

A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Voting

How do I request an absentee ballot?
You can print out a request for an absentee ballot from this website.

Where do I send the request?
Mail the absentee ballot request to your county election office. You can also fax the request. Contact information for your county election office can be found at this website.

What is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?
The request must be received by 4:30 pm on the Tuesday before Election Day.
By fax, the request must be received by 11:59 pm on the Tuesday before Election Day:
February 5 for the Primary Election
October 30 for the General Election

A late application can be made in person from the Wednesday before Election Day to the closing of the polls on Election Day.

What is the voting procedure?
To vote absentee you must first fill out an absentee ballot application and return it to your county board of elections. Once they mail you a ballot, fill it out and return it.

What are the deadlines for voting absentee?
Mailed or hand-delivered ballots must be received by the election office by 8:00 pm on Election Day:
Primary Election: February 12
General Election: November 4

What are the election dates and deadlines for 2008?
Primary Election: February 12
General Election: November 4
Voter registration closes 21 days prior to Election Day.

How do I contact the Secretary of State / election officials?
Dennis Schnepfe, Secretary of State
State House, Annapolis, MD 21401
http://www.sos.state.md.us
Tel: 410-974-5521
Toll-free: 1-888-874-0013
E-mail: MDSOS@sos.state.md.us

State Board of Elections
151 West St., Suite 200
Annapolis, MD 21401
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 6486
Annapolis, MD 21401-0486
Tel: 410-269-2840
E-mail: info@elections.state.md.us

Is permanent absentee status available?
No. Voters must apply each election cycle for absentee status.

Additional information:
The State Board of Elections page has all the information on voting absentee. The frequently asked questions link on the front page provides links to the request forms and where to send the papers.