Emergency Absentee Ballot Registry Starts Next Week

Residents can apply for emergency absentee ballots for November's city election starting Wednesday, but only for those who can't make it to the polls for one of the reasons outlined by the city.

Registered voters can't apply just because they don't want to leave their homes on Nov. 8, Election Day.

"We want people to show up in person to vote," Chief of the Board of Election Supervisors Jack Robson said, adding that the guidelines were set by a past council vote.

In order to be eligible to apply for an absentee ballot, a registered voter must know he/she will not be able to make it to the polls due to one of the following limitations:

• will be absent from College Park on Election Day
• due to accident, illness or disability
• confinement in or restriction to an institution
• death or serious illness in the voter's immediate family
• academic requirements as a full-time student at an institution outside of College Park

Eligible voters can pick up an emergency absentee ballot at , 4500 Knox Road from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Wednesday.