MD Special Election: Vote By Mail Or In Person During Coronavirus

After months without representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, citizens in parts of Baltimore City as well as Baltimore and Howard counties will be able to cast their ballots in the special election. The election will determine who will fill the seat held by Congressman Elijah Cummings, who died in October.

Nearly half of the voters in the 7th congressional district live in Baltimore City, with the remainder in Baltimore County and Howard County.

Two candidates are vying for the congressional seat in District 7: Republican Kimberly Klacik and Democrat Kweisi Mfume.

"It is imperative that the people of this congressional district have a voice in the House of Representatives and that Maryland has a full delegation representing our state in Congress," Gov. Larry Hogan said in March, when he announced that despite the new coronavirus pandemic, he still wanted to ensure the election went on as planned.

Ballots were sent April 8, according to the Maryland Board of Elections.

Voters must mark their selection on their ballot and sign an oath on the back of the envelope in black ink before putting it in the mail. No postage is necessary. Ballots must be returned with a postmark of April 28.

Those who did not receive a ballot should contact their local board of elections.

• Baltimore City Board of Elections: 410-396-1444 or election.judge@baltimorecity.gov
• Baltimore County Board of Elections: 410-887-5700 or elections@baltimorecountymd.gov
• Howard County Board of Elections: 410-313-5820 or gmickley@howardcountymd.gov

To receive a ballot electronically, voters can request them until 11:59 pm on Friday, April 24. Then they have to print out the ballot and mail it.

"To slow the spread of COVID-19, all voters in the 7th Congressional District are strongly encouraged to vote by mail," the Maryland Board of Elections said in a statement. "The process is secure and the most effective way to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus."

Those who cannot vote by mail, did not get their mailed ballot or need assistance can vote in person for the special election from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at one of these locations:

• Baltimore City: Edmondson High School, 501 N. Athol Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229
• Baltimore County: Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244
• Howard County: Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd., West Friendship, MD 21794

If people try to vote more than once, the Maryland Board of Elections shares that information with law enforcement. Anyone found guilty of voting twice may have to pay a fine of $5,000 and/or serve five years in jail.

Not sure about your district or voting status? Check voter registration information through the state board of elections.

See Also:

• HCPSS Will Not Shut Down For Elections
• District 7 Special Election: Kweisi Mfume Wins Democratic Race
• Coronavirus Postpones Maryland Primaries From April: Hogan
• Who Could Succeed Elijah Cummings in Maryland's 7th District?
• Rep. Elijah Cummings Remembered: Watch The Service Again