Absentee - Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I vote absentee?
- What is an informal written request?
- What is the absentee ballot application deadline?
- May I have a ballot mailed to me after the deadline?
- May I vote absentee if I miss the deadline?
- What is an authorized agent?
- What number do I call for absentee department?
- How do I get an absentee ballot?
- Have you received my application?
- When will I receive my ballot?
- My son/daughter is going away to school, what should he/she do to vote?
- If I get my ballot by e-mail, may I e-mail it back to you?
- Have you received my voted ballot?
- May I return my Absentee Ballot to a Polling Place?
- When must my ballot be received by the Board of Elections Office?
You must request an Absentee Application.
Under SS 33-11-02.01 a registered voter may apply for and vote by an absentee ballot…There are several forms of application:
1. The State Absentee Ballot Application
2. The informal written request application (See the third paragraph below).
3. The in-person application
The State Absentee Ballot Application should only be on a prescribed form the State Board of Elections has authorized or on a form provided under federal law. (The State Board form can not be altered in any way). Although the Statute states: “The Montgomery Board of Elections may not accept an application submitted on a preprinted form unless it has been authorized by the State”, However, ANY REQUEST will be honored as long as it contains the same information as that of the “informal written request”! (As shown below)
The deadline for receipt of this application is on or before 8:00 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the election and for all applications also.
Faxed or E-mailed
This form may be faxed and again can not be changed or altered in any way. The deadline for receipt of this application is on or before 11:59 p.m. of the Tuesday preceding the election. For an application submitted electronically, the same deadline applies - General October 30 , 2012).
An informal written request for an absentee ballot may be made to the Board of Elections but it must contain the following information:
1 Voter’s name
2 Residence address
3 Address to which the ballot is to be mailed, if different from the residence address
4 Voter's Signature
The informal request can be made by fax (240)777-8560, mail or e-mail on or before 11:59 p.m. on or before the Tuesday preceding the election.
What Is The Absentee Ballot Application Deadline
The application must be received by the legal deadline (visit www.777vote.org) by mail (4:30pm) or by fax (11:59pm). You may download an absentee application or request by email or by phone. Applications must provide name, address, date of birth, political party affiliation, which election and be mailed or faxed to: Board of Elections P.O. Box 10159 Rockville, MD 20849-0159 / the fax number is 240-777-8560
May I have a ballot mailed to me after the deadline?
No, ballots will not be mailed, faxed or e-mailed after the General deadline of October 30, 2012.
In order to receive a ballot after that time, you must come to the office in-person or have an authorized agent assist you.
May I vote absentee if I miss the deadline?
Yes, there is a provision that allows for late, in-person applications. A late application may be made in person by the voter or the voter’s authorized agent.
An authorized agent is an individual you pick to secure your voting ballot from the Montgomery Board of Elections so you can vote at home. The authorized agent would pick-up the ballot and after you vote, the ballot can be mailed in by you or returned to the Board of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
The application for the authorized agent can be downloaded by you or your agent. This form can be faxed to the Montgomery Board of Elections. You can fill out the necessary parts and both you and your agent can sign and date the form. Your agent will secure the proper identification and return the form to the Montgomery County Board of Elections where your agent will then be given a ballot that will be filled out by you and then returned to the Board of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
What number do I call for the Absentee Department?
Please call 240-777-8550
How do I get an Absentee Ballot?
First, the voter must complete, sign and submit an Absentee Ballot Application to the Board of Elections. Applications may be downloaded at www.777vote.org or voters may call our office at 240-777-8550 to have an application mailed. Applications are also available at our office located at 18753 N. Frederick Ave. Suite #210, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 during normal business hours.
Have you received my application?
Please call 240-777-8550.
When will I receive my ballot?
We begin mailing ballots approximately 6 weeks prior to the upcoming election.
My son/daughter is going away to school, what should he/she do to vote?
The voter must complete, sign, and submit an Absentee Ballot application in order to receive an Absentee Ballot.
If I get my ballot by e-mail, may I e-mail it back to you?
No. Please print all documents. Vote your ballot. Sign the Oath of Absentee Voter and mail your voted ballot and oath to the Board of Elections. Voted Ballots may be returned to the Board of Elections in person by 8:00 P.M. on Election Day, but, may NOT be returned to a Polling Place.
Have you received my voted ballot?
Please call 240-777-8550.
May I return my Absentee Ballot to a Polling Place?
No
When must my ballot be received by the Board of Elections Office?
If delivered in-person, your voted ballot must be received by 8:00 P.M. on Election Day.
If sent by mail, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by 10:00 A. M. on the 10th day after the Election.
