For Immediate Release:  June 12, 2014

Five Ways to Ensure Your Voting Rights

Early Voting begins today in the Republican and Democratic primary elections to choose each party’s candidates who will appear on the ballot in November. Voters who are not affiliated with one of the major political parties can also cast a ballot in some nonpartisan contests.

Montgomery County’s Election Director, Margaret Jurgensen, encourages all registered voters to cast a ballot and has some suggestions for steps that you can take to help the voting process go smoothly and protect your right to vote.

Whether you chose to vote during Early Voting that begins today and ends next Thursday, June 19, or at the polls on Tuesday, June 24, Jurgensen provides five suggestions for voters:

  1. BE ON TIME AND AVOID PEAK HOURS IF POSSIBLE – Early voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and voting hours on Election Day 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Whether you vote early or on Election Day, you must be in line to cast your ballot by 8 p.m. If you can, avoid the rush and vote in the late morning or mid-afternoon. 
  2. IF YOU VOTE ON ELECTION  DAY, KNOW YOUR ASSIGNED POLLING PLACE – On Election Day, you are only registered to vote at the polling place that serves the precinct where you live. Going to the wrong polling place can lengthen your time at the polling place and cause longer lines. Find your polling place, by checking the sample ballot mailed to your home, visit the official polling place locator at  777vote.org or call the Montgomery County Board of Elections at 240-777-VOTE. 
  3. IF YOU CHOOSE TO VOTE EARLY, CHECK THE WAIT TIME PRIOR TO LEAVING YOUR HOME OR OFFICE – Wait times at each of the nine Early Voting Centers in Montgomery County are updated in real time at  777vote.org. 
  4. BRING A SAMPLE BALLOT TO THE POLLING PLACE – Familiarize yourself with the contests and candidates on the ballot. Read your sample ballot carefully, make your selections in advance, and take it to the polling place to use as a guide – the voting process will be easier as a result. Your sample ballot also has answers to your questions about the voting process, including where to vote and how to operate the voting machines, and is printed in English and Spanish. 
  5. ID MAY BE REQUIRED – First-time voters in Montgomery County may be required to show proper identification such as a driver’s license or official document including your name and address. It can also be helpful to bring your voter registration card, but it is not required to vote. 
  6. IF YOU NEED HELP, ASK – If you have a question or problem at the polls, do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Election officials are trained to assist voters with physical disabilities and answer questions about the voting process. The ballot is available in both English and Spanish. Voters can also bring their own interpreter to the polling place to help them with the voting process.  If you make a mistake on your ballot, notify the election official immediately so that you can get a new ballot before you cast it.

For more information, call 240-777-VOTE, visit  www.777vote.org, our mobile friendly website at m.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections, the Maryland State Board of Elections’ website at  http://elections.state.md.us, or follow the Montgomery County Board of Elections on Facebook or Twitter.

Your Time, Your Voice, Your Vote!

Media Contact:  Marjorie Roher, 240-777-8625