Mail-In Voting Worries In MD, 23% Plan To Vote In Person Nov. 3

MARYLAND — A majority of Maryland residents worry that mail-in ballots will be not be received or counted properly for the Nov. 3 general election, according to an informal reader survey Patch conducted this weekend. Many survey respondents said they've noticed a slowdown in mail delivery in recent weeks, and a majority reject President Donald Trump's assertion that voting by mail encourages fraud.

A total of 1,345 Maryland Patch readers responded to the voting survey published Saturday. The survey, which appeared in questionnaire form on Patch, is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

Many commenters said they will drop off their ballots at collection boxes if provided in their counties, rather than vote in person because of the coronavirus concerns.

Forty-six percent of the respondents said they plan to vote by mail in the fall, while another 23.6 percent said they will take advantage of early voting at an in-person location ahead of Election Day. Only 22.6 percent of those surveyed said they plan to vote in person on Nov. 3.

One commenter who identified as an election judge for 20 years said there is absolutely no difference between mail-in voting and absentee voting.

"My husband and I are going to get our ballots by mail, but then drop them off to a collection site where they are receiving them," one voter wrote. "We are concerned about the USPS being tampered with by Trump in order to steal the election."

"Mail delivery has been messy since the pandemic," said another commenter. "I want my vote to count, so I plan to vote in person. I think that if people are uncomfortable with in person they should request an absentee ballot. Still won’t fix the mismanagement of the USPS."

And a dissenter wrote: "Mail in votes should be requested by voters, like ABSENTEE ballots. They are entirely different. Who wants blank ballots sent to old addresses or deceased individuals."

Registered voters in Maryland can now request mail-in ballots for the general election. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland Board of Elections is encouraging people to vote by mail, and a record number of people are expected to cast their ballots in this manner.

Requests to get a mail-in ballot must be submitted by Oct. 21. Voters will receive a ballot plus envelope with postage paid.

A significant number of survey respondents said that with stores and restaurants open again, and civil rights protests at times ignoring cautions against gatherings, Maryland voters should cast their ballots in person.

"If you are allowed to go to the stores and thousands of people can protest, we should have the right to vote in person. I 100% feel mail in voting will be a mess, fraud and inaccurate," said one reader.

Nearly two-thirds of those who took part in the survey said they had concerns about mail-in ballots being accounted for.

"I would rather do in-person voting but out of concern will do voting by mail. However, I plan to take my ballot to the election office," a voter said.

"If we can go to the grocery store with a mask, we can vote in person," another said.

With more Americans expected to vote by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Post Office has been in the spotlight for mail delay concerns amid recent operational changes. After public outcry, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the changes are paused until at least after the election. According to NPR, that means post office hours won't be altered, mail processing facilities won't be closed, and existing mail processing equipment and collection boxes will stay. DeJoy promised that post offices will be ready to handle the anticipated influx of election mail.

Related: MD Election 2020: How To Get Mail-In Ballot

About half of those who responded said they are worried about wait times or health risks tied to in-person voting on Election Day.

"Too many risks surround in-person voting," said one resident. "Voting by mail, as soon as the opportunity presents itself, is the best and safe way to exercise our democratic rights as American citizens!"

A respondent who identified as a doctor said it will not be safe for large groups of people to be inside a school gymnasium or public library waiting in line to vote. "I have already requested a vote-by-mail ballot (on line), and when it arrives by email, I will print it, complete it and then HAND CARRY my ballot to one of the election drop boxes," the reader said.

"I believe it should be done in person. Not sure I would vote by mail. Many things could go wrong by mail," said a voter.

President Trump has said he believes voting by mail will encourage fraudulent activity. Of our respondents, 55 percent disagreed with the president's claim, while 45 percent agreed.

"Trump's lies are the enemy of election integrity and voter confidence. Boards of Elections and public officials must do everything they can to ensure elections are properly handled, that lies are rebutted, and that the public can be served," said a respondent. "I am grateful for all their efforts to date, but I fear that worse is yet to come."