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Labor Votes!

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE!

Workers in Maryland and DC need your voice! Elections can put allies in office that can deliver real benefits for Union members through policy! Whether its in presidential elections years or for your local municipality every vote counts! To help make sure that union members know how to vote where they live, we've copied and provided links to the Maryland and DC voting guides from their official Board of Elections. 

 

Maryland Board of Elections: "Voting in Maryland" 

 Who can vote?

Any registered voter can vote. If you are not registered to vote, learn about how to register.

When can I vote?

For the 2024 Presidential Primary Election:

  • You can either vote in person during early voting or on election day or by mail-in ballot.
  • Early voting starts on Thursday, May 2, 2024 and goes through Thursday, May 9, 2024. Each early voting center will be open continuously from 7 am to 8 pm each day. Anyone in line at 8 pm will be allowed to vote.
  • On election day, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, you must vote at your assigned polling place.All election day polling places are open continuously from 7 am until 8 pm on. Anyone in line at 8 pm will be allowed to vote.

If you are unable to vote during early voting or on election day, you may vote by mail-in ballot. Find out more information about mail-in voting.

Important Note: The law requires the State Board of Elections and each local board of elections to refer to absentee ballots as "mail-in ballots" and absentee voting as "mail-in voting." Please note that this change in terminology does NOT change the process of mail-in voting.

Where should I vote?

For the 2024 Presidential Primary Election:

How will I cast my vote?

For the 2024 Presidential Primary Election:

  • During early voting or on election day, you will hand mark a paper ballot. Use the pen provided to fill in the oval next to your choices. You can also mark your ballot electronically. Review your ballot choices, place your voted ballot into the privacy sleeve and take it to the scanner. An election worker will direct you to insert your ballot into the scanning unit to cast your vote. Your ballot will be scanned and dropped into a secure ballot box.
  • There will be instructions available at the early voting centers and election day polling places to familiarize you with the ballot. You may ask an election judge to explain how to vote, but you must cast your vote alone, unless you are unable to do so because you have a disability or are unable to read or write the English language.
  • For mail-in voting and provisional voting, you will issued a paper ballot. Use a black ink pen to fill in the oval next to your choices. Provisional ballots are returned to the local election office in secure bags on election night. Mail-in and provisional ballots will be scanned at the local election office.

I have a disability. Will I be able to vote?

Yes. All early voting centers in Maryland are accessible to voters with disabilities.

See Access by Voters with Disabilities for more information.

Are election materials available in languages other than English?

Federal law requires Montgomery County and Prince George's County to provide election materials in Spanish. Non-English materials may be provided in other jurisdictions on a voluntary basis. Contact your local board of elections to determine what is available in your jurisdiction.

 

District of Columbia Board of Elections: "Frequently Asked Questions"

To register to vote in DC, you must: 

  • Be a United States citizen.
  • Maintain residency in the DC for at least 30 days prior to the election in which you intend to vote.
  • Not claim voting residence outside of the DC.
  • Be at least 17 years old and at least 18 years old by the next General Election.*
  • Not have been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote.  

*You may preregister to vote if you are at least 16 years old and meet eligibility requirements. You will automatically be registered to vote once you reach your 18th birthday. 
 
There are several ways in which one can register to vote in DC. To learn more, and to view a list of accepted proofs of residence, please visit the Register/Update Voter Registration page.

When is the deadline for registration? Can I register to vote during Early Voting or on Election Day?

The Board must receive your Voter Registration materials at least 21 days prior to Election Day.
If you miss the deadline, Same-Day Registration is available at Vote Centers during the Early Voting period and on Election Day.

In order to complete Same-Day Registration during the Early Voting period or on Election Day, you will need to complete a Voter Registration Application, swear or affirm that you are qualified to vote, and provide valid proof of residence.

You can learn more about which documents qualify as valid proof of residence on our Register/Update Voter Registration page.

NOTE: If you are currently registered to vote in DC, you may not use Same-Day Registration to change your party affiliation during the Early Voting period or on Election Day. Requests for change of party affiliation received during the 21 days before a Primary Election will be processed after the Primary Election.

Where and when do I vote in DC?

The 2022 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. All registered voters will receive a mail ballot for the 2022 Primary Election, which will provide voters with several options for when and where they can vote.

Voters can choose to cast their vote by:  

  • Returning their mail ballot using USPS mail or a DCBOE Mail Ballot Drop Box (October 14th - November 8th, 2022)
  • Voting in person at an Early Vote Center during the Early Voting period (October 31st- November 6th, 2022)
  • Voting in person at a Vote Center on Election Day (November 8th, 2022)
  • Voting using an Absentee Ballot ONLY if they will be away from their DC residence during the Primary Election (Absentee Ballots must be postmarked no later than November 8, 2022 and received by November 15th, 2022)

To find Early Vote Center, Election Day Vote Center, and Mail Ballot Drop Box locations near you, we encourage you to use our Vote Center Location Tool.

Do I have to vote at a specific location based on my home address?

If you wish to vote in person, you do not need to vote at a specific location based on your home address. Instead, you may vote at any Early Vote Center or Election Day Vote Center.

To find an Early Vote Center or Election Day Vote Center location near you, simply enter your address into our Vote Center Location Tool. 

Can I request an Absentee Ballot?

You will ONLY need to request an Absentee Ballot if you will be away from your DC residence during the Primary Election.

Please note that Absentee Ballot Requests must be requested no later than 15 days before an election; for the 2022 General Election, this deadline falls on October 25, 2022.

If you need an Absentee Ballot, you may request one using our Absentee Ballot Request Form.

Labor Votes!

Endorsed Candidates 2022

On August 23, 2022 and September 2, 2022, The Committee on Political Education (COPE) of the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO endorsed the following candidates for the 2022 General Elections in Maryland and DC:

Read More > Endorsed Candidates 2022
Endorsed Candidates 2022