Maryland
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| Upcoming Elections |
|---|
No Federal Elections Scheduled |
Please mail your voting materials early enough to account for mail delivery times. Check the recommended mailing dates section in Chapter 1 for details.
Important information
- What is UOCAVA?
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The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is commonly referred to as UOCAVA. UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members and other U.S. citizens residing outside the United States. The law provides the legal basis for absentee voting requirements for federal offices.
- What is the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)?
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The FPCA (Federal Standard Form 76) allows UOCAVA citizens to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. This form is also used to update your contact information.
- What is the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?
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The FWAB (Federal Standard Form 186) serves as an emergency backup ballot for UOCAVA citizens. If you do not receive your absentee ballot, or mail-in ballot, from your state in time to return it to your election official to participate in the election, use the FWAB.
- What is the Prepaid Mail Label 11- DoD?
-
Overseas Uniformed Service members can use this label for general election absentee ballots. It provides free express mail service to your election official for general election absentee ballots. You can request to have a Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to your absentee ballot at Military Postal Office locations (APO/FPO). Keep part of the tracking label to track your absentee ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.
- What is a primary election?
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A primary election is an election held before the general election to determine the candidates that can be placed on the general election ballot.
- I am an American citizen, but I have never lived in the U.S., can I vote in this state?
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No.
- I am a National Guardsman activated on state orders; does my state afford me UOCAVA privileges?
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Yes.
- How can I check the status of my ballot?
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You can check the status of your absentee ballot here:
vote.md.gov/Search - Does my state have any online tools?
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You can see if your state has any online tools available here:
https://www.fvap.gov/maryland
Registering and requesting your absentee ballot
Under federal law, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for a minimum of all federal elections in the current calendar year. Be sure to complete a new FPCA each year and every time your address changes.
Complete the following sections of the FPCA
| Section 1 |
Select the category that best describes you. |
| Section 2 |
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence. |
| Section 3 |
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information. |
| Section 4 |
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by online or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number. |
| Section 5 |
A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax". |
| Section 6 |
Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots. |
| Section 7 |
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required. |
- Section 1
-
Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.
You must provide your Maryland-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these numbers you must enter in Section 6: "I do not have a Social Security Number or Maryland-issued ID number." - Section 2
-
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.
- Section 3
-
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.
- Section 4
-
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by online or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number.
- Section 5
-
A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax".
B. To vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party ballot you want to receive. Political party affiliation is not required if requesting an absentee ballot for general elections. - Section 6
-
Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots.
- Section 7
-
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.
How and where to submit your FPCA
If you are using the FPCA to register to vote, you must mail the form or use Maryland's online voter registration system (vote.md.gov/Register).
If you are already registered and are using the FPCA to request an absentee ballot, you can mail, email, or fax your signed form to your election official or use Maryland's online voter registration system (vote.md.gov/Register).
Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Mail your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Mail your FPCA directly to your election official.
Email your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Scan the signed FPCA into your computer. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet". Email this package directly to your election official.
Fax your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Fax your FPCA directly to your election official. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet".
To find out the status of your FPCA, contact your election official. Your election official will contact you if your FPCA is not accepted.
Voting your ballot
Once you receive your absentee ballot from your state it must be returned according to the deadlines provided in the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart. For special federal elections, visit FVAP.gov for specific deadlines.
The state absentee ballot must be mailed to your election official. The address of your election official can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section. Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section.
Haven't received your ballot? Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) can be used to register to vote. If you are using the FWAB to register to vote, it must be received by the registration deadline listed in the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart.
U.S. citizens residing outside the United States whose return is not certain can use the FWAB to vote in all elections for federal office.
All other UOCAVA voters can use the FWAB to vote in all elections for federal, state and local offices, including ballot measures.
Complete the following sections of the FWAB's voter information page
| Section 1 |
Select the category that best describes you. |
| Section 2 |
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence. |
| Section 3 |
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information. |
| Section 4 |
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by online or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number. |
| Section 5 |
A. Check "Yes" if you would like to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot, otherwise check "No." |
| Section 6 |
Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots. |
| Section 7 |
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required. |
- Section 1
-
Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.
You must provide your Maryland-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these numbers you must enter in Section 6: "I do not have a Social Security Number or Maryland-issued ID number." - Section 2
-
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.
- Section 3
-
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.
- Section 4
-
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by online or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number.
- Section 5
-
A. Check "Yes" if you would like to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot, otherwise check "No."
B. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax".
C. To vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party primary in which you are voting. Political party affiliation is not required if voting an absentee ballot in general elections. - Section 6
-
Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots.
- Section 7
-
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.
Vote your FWAB
To vote, write in either a candidate's name or political party for each office. You are not required to make a selection for each and every contest.
How and where to submit your FWAB
The FWAB must be mailed to your election official. Addresses can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Mail your FWAB: Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Fold along the dotted line and seal the completed "Official Backup Ballot", do not write on the "Official Ballot" envelope. Insert the sealed "Official Ballot" envelope and the "Voter Information" page into the mailing envelope and mail your FWAB directly to your election official.
Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section or online at FVAP.gov.
See the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart for the deadline for submitting the FWAB. If you receive the state absentee ballot after transmitting your voted FWAB, you may also vote and return the state absentee ballot. If both are received by the deadline, only the state absentee ballot will be counted.
Local election offices for countySearch Offices
| County | Mailing Address |
|---|---|
| Allegany | Allegany County Board of Elections 701 Kelly Road, Suite 231 Cumberland, MD 21502-2887 Phone: (301) 777-5931 Fax: (301) 777-2430 Email: elections@alleganygov.org |
| Anne Arundel | Anne Arundel County Board of Elections P.O. Box 490 Glen Burnie, MD 21060-0490 Phone: (410) 222-6600 Fax: (410) 222-6833 Email: elections@aacounty.org |
| Baltimore City | Baltimore City Board of Elections 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 129 Baltimore, MD 21202-3432 Phone: (410) 396-5550 Fax: (410) 962-8747 Email: election.judge@baltimorecity.gov |
| Baltimore County | Baltimore County Board of Elections 5 Crossing Way Owings Mills, MD 21117 Phone: (410) 887-5700 Fax: (410) 887-0894 Email: elections@baltimorecountymd.gov |
| Calvert | Calvert County Board of Elections P.O. Box 798 Prince Frederick, MD 20678-0798 Phone: (410) 535-2214 Fax: (410) 535-5009 Email: elections@calvertcountymd.gov |
| Caroline | Caroline County Board of Elections 403 S. Seventh Street, Suite 247 Denton, MD 21629-1378 Phone: (410) 479-8145 Fax: (410) 479-5736 Email: election@carolinemd.org |
| Carroll | Carroll County Board of Elections 300 South Center Street, Room 212 Westminster, MD 21157-5248 Phone: (410) 386-2080 Fax: (410) 876-3925 Email: ccboe@carrollcountymd.gov |
| Cecil | Cecil County Board of Elections 200 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite 1900 Elkton, MD 21921-6395 Phone: (410) 996-5310 Fax: (888) 979-8183 Email: voting@ccgov.org |
| Charles | Charles County Board of Elections P.O. Box 908 La Plata, MD 20646-0908 Phone: (301) 934-8972 Fax: (301) 934-6487 Email: elections@charlescountymd.gov |
| Dorchester | Dorchester County Board of Elections P.O. Box 414 Cambridge, MD 21613-0414 Phone: (410) 228-2560 Fax: (410) 228-9635 Email: brittanym.phillips@maryland.gov |
| Frederick | Frederick County Board of Elections 8490 Progress Drive Frederick, MD 21701 Phone: (301) 600-8683 Fax: (301) 600-2344 Email: electionboard@FrederickCountyMD.gov |
| Garrett | Garrett County Board of Elections 2008 Maryland Highway, Suite 1 Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550 Phone: (301) 334-6985 Fax: (301) 334-6988 Email: sfratz@garrettcounty.org |
| Harford | Harford County Board of Elections 133 Industry Lane Forest Hill, MD 21050 Phone: (410) 638-3565 Fax: (410) 638-3310 Email: elections@harfordcountymd.gov |
| Howard | Howard County Board of Elections 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 200 Columbia, MD 21046 Phone: (410) 313-5820 Fax: (410) 313-5833 Email: tiffany.ferrell1@maryland.gov |
| Kent | Kent County Board of Elections 135 Dixon Drive Chestertown, MD 21620-1141 Phone: (410) 778-0038 Fax: (410) 778-0265 Email: elections@kentgov.org |
| Montgomery | Montgomery County Board of Elections P.O. Box 10159 Rockville, MD 20849-0159 Phone: (240) 777-8550 Fax: (240) 777-8505 Email: absentee@montgomerycountymd.gov |
| Prince George's | Prince George's County Board of Elections 1100 Mercantile Lane, Suite 115A Largo, MD 20774 Phone: (301) 341-7300 Fax: (301) 341-7391 Email: election@co.pg.md.us |
| Queen Anne's | Queen Anne's County Board of Elections 110 Vincit Street, Suite 102 Centreville, MD 21617-0724 Phone: (410) 758-0832 Fax: (410) 758-1119 Email: qac.elections1@maryland.gov |
| Saint Mary's | Saint Mary's County Board of Elections P.O. Box 197 Leonardtown, MD 20650-0197 Phone: (301) 475-4200 x71614 Fax: (301) 475-4077 Email: elections@stmaryscountymd.gov |
| Somerset | Somerset County Board of Elections P.O. Box 96 Princess Anne, MD 21853-0096 Phone: (410) 651-0767 Fax: (410) 651-5130 Email: elections.somersetco@maryland.gov |
| Talbot | Talbot County Board of Elections P.O. Box 353 Easton, MD 21601-0353 Phone: (410) 770-8099 Fax: (410) 770-8078 Email: talbot.elections@maryland.gov |
| Washington | Washington County Board of Elections 17718 Virginia Ave Hagerstown, MD 21740-7084 Phone: (240) 313-2050 Fax: (240) 313-2062 Email: washco.elections@maryland.gov |
| Wicomico | Wicomico County Board of Elections P.O. Box 4091 Salisbury, MD 21803-4091 Phone: (410) 548-4830 Fax: (410) 548-4849 Email: wicomico.elections@maryland.gov |
| Worcester | Worcester County Board of Elections 201 Belt Street, Suite C Snow Hill, MD 21863-1310 Phone: (410) 632-1320 Fax: (410) 632-3031 Email: worcester.elections@maryland.gov |
