2020 General Election Voter Guide
Vote Safe, Vote By Mail
elections.maryland.gov/2020
The Maryland State Board of Elections is committed to educating voters on changes made to 2020 General Election procedures due to the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Here are commonly asked questions about the election and guidance on how to vote safely and conveniently. For questions, please visit elections.maryland.gov/2020 or contact the State Board at 1-800-222-8683.
1. How do I vote in the 2020 General Election?
There are many ways to participate in the 2020 Presidential Election. Due to COVID-19, all Marylanders are encouraged to vote by mail. To vote by mail, you must request a mail-in ballot from the State Board of Elections or your local board of elections by October 20, 2020. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked or placed in a designated drop box by 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020. To find your local board, visit elections.maryland.gov.
If you cannot vote by mail or want to vote in person, Marylanders can vote during early voting or on election day. Early voting will be held from 7 am to 8 pm beginning October 26 through November 2, 2020. Election Day voting will be held 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on November 3. A list of voting centers in Washington County are listed below.
2. How do I register to vote?
To learn how to register to vote or update your registration information, visit elections.maryland.gov. The deadline to register or update your registration information is October 13, 2020. Your registration must be up to date with your current address.
You may also register to vote or update your information in person during early voting or on election day. If you update your address on election day, you will be asked to complete a provisional ballot.
3. How do I request a mail-in ballot?
To vote by mail, you must request a mail-in ballot from the State Board of Elections or your local board. You can do so by mail, fax or online. Your local board of elections must receive your request by October 20, 2020. If you send your request by mail, please leave five business days for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your application to your local board of elections.
The State Board of Elections automatically sent most eligible voters an application for a mail-in ballot by first class U.S. Mail along with a postage-paid return envelope to make it easy and free to request your ballot. Your application will arrive in the mail in late August or early September. If you need another application in English or Spanish, visit elections.maryland.gov. (Eligible voters whose ballot requests were processed before August 6 will not be mailed a second application since the Board has processed their initial request.)
There is no need to wait. Complete and return your application at your earliest convenience. If you use the online system, you may request your mail-in ballot before 11:59 pm on October 20.
4. How do I vote by mail?
If you have requested a mail-in ballot you can expect to receive it beginning at the end of September. If you chose to receive your ballot by email, you will receive an email with a link that will allow you to print and mail your ballot.
If you chose to receive your mail-in ballot by U.S. Mail, follow the instructions with your ballot and return it in the postage-paid return envelope that accompanies your ballot. Your mail-in ballot must be mailed or dropped in a designated drop box location by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2020 to be counted. When completing your ballot, remember to:
- Use Black Ink to Mark your Ballot
- Sign the Return Envelope. Do Not Sign the Ballot.
- Seal your Return Envelope
- Send your Ballot using the Postage-Paid Return Envelope
5. How do I return a mail-in ballot?
We urge Marylanders to return their ballots as soon as possible. Your ballot comes with a postage-paid return envelope, so submitting it by mail is free. Your ballot must be postmarked on or before November 3. Putting your ballot in a mailbox on November 3 does not mean it is postmarked.
6. How do I use a ballot drop box location?
Marylanders can use a ballot drop box to return their mail-in ballot once boxes are made available. At least 200 drop boxes will be open statewide and they will be available until 8:00 p.m. on November 3. Some drop boxes may open to the public before others. The list of drop box locations for Washington County are shown below.
Drop box information for Washington County, Maryland:
You can return your ballot by mail or you can drop off your completed, voted ballot at a drop box location in Washington County.
Simply place your completed ballot in the return envelope, sign the oath on the envelope, seal the return envelope and take it to a drop off box in the county.
Please make sure your oath is signed on the return envelope or the ballot will not count.
Ballot drop off boxes are monitored and secured by trusted election officials. Ballots are retrieved from the boxes at least twice daily by election officials. The drop off boxes are not property of the United States Postal Service. If you have any questions, please contact your local election office.
Ballot drop off boxes will be delivered at different times. The delivery dates for the boxes is printed next to each location below. The boxes will be available through Tuesday, November 3rd. Your ballot must be dropped off by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Washington County
Leonard P. Snyder Memorial Library – installed by October 17
12624 Broadfording Road
Clear Spring, MD 21722
Washington County Agricultural Education Center – installed by October 17
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713
Washington County Board of Elections – installed by September 30
35 W Washington Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Washington County Early Voting Center – installed by September 30
17718 Virginia Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740
7. How do I vote during Early Voting?
If you would like to vote early in person, early voting will take place beginning Monday, October 26 to Monday, November 2 (including Saturday and Sunday) from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with early voting centers also open on election day, Tuesday, November 3. Voters can cast their vote at any vote center in their county of residence. The list of early voting centers will be posted at elections.maryland.gov when locations are finalized.
Washington County, Maryland Early Voting Location:
Washington County Early Voting Center
17718 Virginia Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Open Monday, October 26 to Monday, November 2 (including Saturday and Sunday) from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
8. How do I vote on Election Day?
Approximately 350 voting centers will be open on election day. You will receive a mailing in October that will tell you where and when you can vote in person. Voters will be kept six feet apart and there will be a limit on the number of people inside vote centers at one time. The best time to vote in person is on weekends during early voting and between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on election day. Voters can cast their vote at any vote center in their county of residence, and residents in the City of Baltimore may cast their vote at any vote center in the city. Vote centers will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on election day.
