Early Voting Under Way in Bowie, Prince George's County

BOWIE , MD — Early voting is available in Bowie and Prince George's County for this year's presidential election, which can help ease lines at the polls in Nov. 8 and allow residents to vote at the time that best fits into their schedule.

Voters can cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. now through Thursday, Nov. 3, at nine early voting sites across Prince George's County. You can check your voter registration status here. If you missed the voter registration deadline earlier this month, good news: You can still register to vote at an early voting site.

Voters were lined up to vote Wednesday more than an hour before polls opened at the City of Bowie Gymnasium, say officials.

"The lines have been out the door all morning and seem to be getting longer rather than shorter," said Una Cooper, Bowie spokesperson. "Inside, people seem good natured because the lines move fairly quickly. There's about 50 voting stations for people to use. Outside the parking lot is packed and some folks aren't happy about the hassles of looking for a nearby space.

“It’s great to see so many people getting out to vote," Cooper added. "We want to remind voters that early voting goes on for seven days and the lines usually subside after the first few days.”

To register and vote during the early-voting period, go to an early-voting center in the county where you live and bring a document that proves where you live. This document can be your MVA-issued license, ID card, change of address card, paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or other government document with your name and new address.

Prince George's County early voting locations are:

• Accokeek VFD Training & Activity Center, 16111 Livingston Road in Accokeek
• Baden Community Center, 13601 Baden-Westwood Road in Brandywine
• Bowie Gymnasium, 4100 Northview Drive in Bowie
• College Park Community Center, 5051 Pierce Ave. in College Park
• Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center, 7120 Contee Road in Laurel
• Suitland Community Park School Center, 5600 Regency Lane in Forestville
• Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex, 7007 Bock Road in Fort Washington
• Upper Marlboro Community Center, 5400 Marlboro Race Track Road in Upper Marlboro
• Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Center, 8001 Sheriff Road in Landover

SEE ALSO: Can I Take a Selfie With My Maryland Ballot?

Voters will choose between Democratic Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump on Nov. 8, and also elect a United States senator to replace the retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski, other members of Congress and state legislators. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.

Residents should become familiar with the new, paper-based, digital image scan voting system before arriving at their polling place. Voters will now mark their selections with a pen on paper ballots prior to inserting them in the scanner for tabulation.

For more election information, call the Prince George's County Board of Elections at 301-341-7300; stop by the office during business hours at 1100 Mercantile Lane, Suite 115A, in Largo; or visit the Maryland State Board of Elections’ website at http://elections.state.md.us.

»Photos of Bowie residents waiting to vote, courtesy of Una Cooper, city of Bowie