lg:absentee.pr    95-409            Contact: Betty Ann Lucey, 
                                         (301) 217-6441

ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS
AVAILABLE                           For Immediate Release: Dec 11, 1995

      Elections officials advise voters who are eligible to vote 

by absentee ballot in the March 5, 1996 Presidential Primary 

Election that they may request applications to do so between now 

and Feburary 27, 1996.

      To obtain an absentee ballot application, voters may call 

the 24-hour Absentee Voting Information Line at 217-6480 and leave

their name and address on the recorder. Absentee ballots may be

used if voters meet one of the following guidelines:

      o     They will be absent from the County on election day;

      o     They are ill, disabled or confined to a hospital, 

            nursing home or other institution; or

      o     They are age 65 or older and their polling place is

            designated as non-accessible to the elderly and 

            handicapped.

      Certain federal government and armed forces personnel may

also vote by absentee ballot. For more information, call the Absentee

Office at 217-6460 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.