How to Submit an Absentee Ballot
Both myself and my students are attending FOWD 2008 in New York City, NY. It is no small ride at about 4.5 hours each way so there is no way we will be able to make it to the voting booths that day, read more about our trip. I have never voted absentee before and to be honest it kinda scares me. I want to be sure I do everything right so that my vote is counted in the election, but especially for this election in these tumultuous times.
What is an absentee ballot?
When you register to vote you are allotted to a voting location, usually its decided by your home address. When you vote (in any election) you are required to visit that location to vote. This is in order to make it easier for counting, planning, and implementing voting for the federal government. Imagine 10,000 people trying to squeeze into one location to vote, you’d have to stand in line and it would make all of us very frustrated. It’s supposed to be an easy process, not a pain.
Let’s say you have a planned vacation for the day of election (like we do for the FOWD Conference); well, you can’t just go to New York city and expect to walk into a voting arena and expect to vote. They’ll laugh at you, and I know I’ve done it before, not New York, but the wrong voting location. If you know you’re going to be out of town you have to submit an absentee vote which means you vote via mail instead of going to your voting location.
Before getting started
Things you need:
- this is for United States citizens
- you must be a registered voter to complete this
- a stamp
Step 1
Go to http://www.govoteabsentee.org/
Step 2
Enter your zip code.
Step 3
Click YES, you are a registered voter.
Step 4
Click on the green box to download the Download Maryland Absentee Ballot Request Form
Step 5
Print it
Step 6
Complete the application
On the bottom of the second page of the application is a list of County Board of Elections for the various counties in Maryland. Write the address on the top of your application.
Step 7
Write your return address, place a stamp on it, tape it closed and drop it in the mail. The county Board of Elections will contact you with a ballot.
Step 8
Rock your vote!
Good luck and hope this helps. That site makes it super easy.
