OBJECTIVES Ensure that you know how to safely vote during COVID-19 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

OBJECTIVES • Ensure that you know how to safely vote during COVID-19 • Clear understanding of where to go with questions • Where to go with voter protection issues • That you leave tonight with the tools and knowledge to helps friends and family vote in the election

QUICK FACTS ● Primary Election Day is June 2nd ● Everyone active registered voter will be automatically mailed a ballot ● Postage is pre-paid (no stamps needed to case your vote) ● Ballots postmarked by June 2nd will be counted ● Mail-in ballot process is safe and secure ● In-person voting options and same-day registration will be available for those who need it

2020 ELECTION CHANGES

2020 PRIMARY ELECTION There are 3 ways to vote in the election: Vote By Mail ( Best Option ) Official Ballot Drop Box Voting Centers

1. VOTE BY MAIL ALL ACTIVE REGISTERED VOTERS WILL RECEIVE A BALLOT If you have not received your ballot, check on the status asap at elections.maryland.gov You can request a ballot to be sent to you electronically . Must be able to print and return (no postage included). When completing your ballot: • Use a black pen to complete ballot APRIL 28TH • Fill in oval to the left of your candidate choice • Sign and date the oath on your return envelope Mailing back your ballot: Postage is pre-paid. No stamps needed! Ballots must be postmarked on or before June 2nd.

2. SECURE DROP BOX If you want to drop off your voted ballot instead of mailing it, there will be at least one drop off location in each county. Large jurisdictions like Prince George’s County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Montgomery County will have up to 4. Drop Boxes will be available beginning on May 21st - June 2 nd (Election Day). Most drop Boxes do not require voters to leave their car. Ballots must be sealed and signed with black pen. Ballots must be deposited in Drop Box before 8pm on June 2

3. VOTE CENTER Each county will have between one to four in-person voting centers available for voters not voting by mail. Vote centers will be open from 7am-8pm on June 2 nd . Same day registration will be available (may require submitting a provisional ballot) Ballot marking devices will be available for voters with disabilities as well as assistance for other voting issues. Voters going to these locations must where masks. Voting Centers will maintain strict social distancing and sanitation protocols.

IMPORTANT DATES ● By today, most voters should have received mail-in ballot ● May 21 - Ballot drop boxes placed around state; Local Boards can begin opening and scanning ballots ● May 27 - deadline to register to vote ● June 2 - ballots must be postmarked by this date; in-person voting; results can begin to be announced after 8pm ● Mid-June - Official ballots expected *If you did not receive, be sure to contact the State Board of Elections elections.maryland.gov

VOTE BY MAIL Across the US 33 states (including Maryland) already allow any eligible voter to request an absentee ballot and/or vote by mail without needing to provide a reason. Benefits Election Security ● Paper record of every vote in ○ case of a recount Few instances of fraud ○ Voter Education ● Voters have time to sit with the ○ ballot and do their research

HOW THESE CHANGES IMPACT MARYLAND VOTERS

ACCESSIBLE VOTING OPTIONS Electronic Ballot Delivery •Must be request ballot through State or Local Board or Elections Large Print Ballot •Must be request ballot through State or Local Board of Elections In Person Voting •At least one location per county with accessible ballot marking devices

NEW CITIZENS & LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY Federal Law Requires Montgomery County to provide election material in Spanish. Prince George’s County has also started robust outreach in Spanish. Don’t live in Montgomery or Prince George’s County? (Other Counties) Spanish 2020 Primary Election Materials • Voter Registration Form • Absentee Ballot Request Form • List of Voter Centers/Drop Box locations • Vote411 voter guide Other Language Assistance Needed? • Contact you local board of elections SPANISH LANGUAGE HOTLINE: (888)VE-Y-VOTA • Contact us and we will help find a translator AAPI LANGUAGE HOTLINE: (888)API-VOTE • Contact one of the election protection lines ARABIC LANGUAGE HOTLINE: (844)YALLA-US CASA LANGUAGE HOTLINE: (888)214-6016

STUDENT VOTING Young voters are the largest voting block in the country but as new voters, they struggle to navigate the process. Let’s ensure young people have the information they need to participate. GET REGISTERED VOTE FROM HOME ELECTION DAY PROPERLY VOTE CENTERS You can mail in your ballot or Check online to confirm drop it off at a drop box. If all else fails you can go to a that you are registered to If you haven't received your vote center on Election Day vote, register to vote, print ballot, reach out to the to vote and register to vote. out a registration form, or Board of Elections. request an absentee ballot.

FELONY VOTE Voting for Returning Citizens Since 2016, Maryland is one of 14 states that allows ● people with felony convictions to vote once they have been released from incarceration. People on parole or probation, or who have ● completed their sentence are eligible to vote in the state of Maryland. A good tool Returning Citizens to determine their ● voter eligibility if they are still unsure. campaignlegal.org/restoreyourvote

FELONY VOTE Voting for Eligible Incarcerated Voters People who are in pre-trial detention or who have been convicted of a misdemeanor and are ● currently incarcerated ARE eligible to vote in elections. The State does not currently have a program in place to facilitate voting. COVID-19 has also ● made it difficult for advocates to lead these efforts. What you can do: ● If people have access to those behind the wall, work with them to request their ballot and ○ have it delivered to their facility. You can also serve as their proxy (completed certification to do this would be needed). ○ Contact us to support these efforts! Getinfo@out4justice.org (443)563-2123

Have you moved since you last voted? For example, moved to a retirement community • Update your address with the Board of Elections • On the website or on paper

REGISTER TO VOTE ELECTIONS.MARYLAND.GOV

2020 PRIMARY ELECTION Who can vote? Any US Citizen who is 18 years old by primary election and registered to vote Can I vote in a party primary election? Generally, yes. Maryland has closed primaries so voters must be registered with either the Democratic or Republican parties to vote in party-affiliated races. Voters who are not affiliated with these parties will receive a nonpartisan ballot if there are nonpartisan races on your ballot (example: municipal offices, nominees for board of education). May I change political parties? Yes! For the 2020 Primary Election, the deadline to change your party affiliation is May 27, 2020. Do I have to affiliate with a political party? No, you do not. If you do not select a political party on your voter registration application, you will be "unaffiliated" with any political party.

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ON CANDIDATES

KNOW WHAT CANDIDATES STAND FOR BEFORE YOU VOTE! FREE VOTER RESOURCES ● Issues: Vote411.org ○ Voter and state/local/federal candidate information ○ LWV Guide is also available in a paper format and in Spanish ● Funding:Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System (CRIS) ○ https://campaignfinance.maryland.gov/ ○ View state and local candidate contributions and disclosures (More info on next slide) ● Represent Maryland ‘Small Money Commission’ ○ “Certifies” candidates who meet our small money criteria ○ Established in 2018. Please join the commission! ○ https://www.facebook.com/RepMD.Small.Money.Commission/ ● For Federal Candidates: ○ https://www.fec.gov/ (click on the Campaign Finance Data dropdown menu) ○ https://www.opensecrets.org/

FLOWCHART FOR MD CRIS Click Accept Click on Contributions or Click on Disclosures Expenditures Search by candidate’s last name Press Search Records appear at the bottom. TIPS: Maryland CRIS is only for state and local candidates, not federal. For a report of donations, click on contributions; for a report on money spent, click on expenditures. Search by the candidates last name and be sure to choose an (active) committee. If nothing comes up for the candidates last name, write a comma next to it [Example: Smith,]. Filter by dates, etc using the other boxes shown in the fourth slide. DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT CRISTI WITH ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT NAVIGATING MD CRIS

HOW TO HELP GET OUT THE VOTE!

CALL TO ACTION!

ELECTION PROTECTION Election Protection provides Maryland voters with comprehensive information and assistance at all stages of voting – from registration, to absentee and early voting, to casting a vote at the polls, to overcoming obstacles to their participation. We’re here to help voters make sure their vote are counted! Election Protection hotline: (443)399-3229 Sign up to be a local volunteer: espana@aclu-md.org

Q&A

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